AUGUSTA, Maine — U.S. Rep. Jared Golden is supporting tariffs and trade ideas from both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump in the run-up to a pivotal November election.
Rather than viewing it as a divisive issue, the Democrat from Maine’s swing 2nd District — which Trump carried in 2016 and 2020 — said he sees the tariff-related similarities between the two presidential contenders as reflecting “a new reality in the world economy and a new recognition about the ways in which free trade has failed America.”
While awaiting the June primary between Republicans seeking to face this fall in a race that national observers have rated a “toss up,” Golden put forward two measures Friday that would add 25 percent tariffs on battery, solar and wind energy components imported from China and 125 percent tariffs on Chinese-made automobiles no matter where they are assembled.
Golden’s legislation, which mimics proposals in the Senate from Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, came ahead of Biden announcing Tuesday a set of tariff hikes on various Chinese goods, including a quadrupling of the rate on electric vehicles to 100 percent.
His stance illuminates an economic matter with both international and local implications. Opposition to free trade deals is orthodox in Maine politics. In 2016, the Legislature took a unanimous but symbolic vote against a pact with Pacific countries that then-President Barack Obama led and Trump withdrew from.
During a wide-ranging Maine Public interview on Friday, Golden also said he has “long supported” Trump’s plan for 10 percent tariffs on all imported goods. The Maine Democrat who has proven to be a tough matchup for Republicans in the 2nd District said he does not see tariffs as a partisan issue.
“They’re still referred to somewhat negatively as ‘Trump tariffs,’ and yet the Biden administration has stood by them and, in some cases, even expanded upon them,” Golden said.
He reiterated he opposed Trump’s North American trade deal in 2019 because he felt it benefited Silicon Valley and “Big Ag” over industries important to Maine, such as fishing, forest products and shipbuilding. In April, Golden also signaled support for Biden’s moves to seek higher tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminum, investigate China’s shipbuilding practices and invest $575 million in U.S. steel production.
Golden is awaiting the winner of a Republican primary between state Reps. Austin Theriault of Fort Kent and Mike Soboleski of Phillips, who are each Trump supporters and have expressed support for his trade policies. Theriault’s campaign used the Maine Calling interview to point to a 2018 candidate forum in which Golden said he did not support tariffs.
Expanding upon his points on “Maine Calling,” Golden said globalization has not worked as a “project” for 40 years.”
“It’s failed,” Golden said. “And it’s hollowed out America’s middle class.”
