Stanton Questions Trump Tariffs with Ex-Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell

Representative Greg Stanton (D-AZ) spoke with former Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on President Donald Trump's tariff policy in a recent Select Committee on the Communist Party of China (CCP) hearing, claiming that they negatively affect Taiwan.

"I believe this administration's tariff policy has really hurt trust in the United States around the globe," Rep. Stanton began, adding that the tariffs have been "sending unnecessary shocks through the markets and creating whiplash with each declaration, pause, and hike."

Additionally, Rep. Stanton claimed the tariffs leave Taiwan vulnerable and "lower Taiwan's economic resilience to the PRC's [People's Republic of China] propaganda and coercion."

Campbell replied, "The world understands that Americans believe in these partnerships and these relationships, and they hear voices like yours and others that speak out about how this is a bipartisan commitment in the United States."

Moreover, Campbell suggested that while Indo-Pacific countries "may not like all of the tariff stuff," he added, "if they have an understanding of what is to be expected, they will respond critically, even our closest allies."

"The challenge is the changes. So, the administration in the last three months has had about 55 to 60 different tariff actions. Change is sometimes announced in the morning, changed in the afternoon," Campbell continued, adding, "Things need greater predictability."

Nevertheless, the former Deputy State Secretary said he could "commend the administration on the steps they are trying to take in a number of venues to try to reestablish a careful dialogue. We should see that through the next couple of months."

Rep. Stanton has not been the only Arizona Democrat to question the wisdom of Trump's tariffs.

In February, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) questioned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell about the economic effects of tariffs on housing, interest rates, and consumer goods. However, Powell could not provide a clear answer: "We do not do tariff policy, and we do not do commentary on tariff policy."