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U.S. Rep. Jared Golden of Maine’s 2nd District used a Thursday piece in the Bangor Daily News to say that Americans must be ready to pay more for goods in the U.S. to make the argument for stiff tariffs that his Republican opponent also supports.
It’s an extension of Maine’s history as a historic manufacturing state. Golden’s argument stands out for reckoning with the tradeoffs of tariffs, which are expected to raise the high costs that have led to deep negativity around the national economy.
What’s the context: Golden, a Democrat facing state Rep. Austin Theriault, R-Fort Kent, was fleshing out an argument that he has made since May, when he came out in support of tariffs backed by former President Trump and President Joe Biden.
Trump led Republicans away from their traditional free-trade stances by embracing tariffs during his administration. He is going further during his 2024 campaign, proposing 10 percent tariffs on all imported goods, which the Tax Foundation says would equate to a $300 million annual tax increase. Golden is sponsoring a bill to impose those tariffs.
Biden has continued many of Trump’s tariffs and imposed new ones, although Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee facing Trump, opposes the former president’s blanket plans. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said this week that such tariffs would raise costs, a kind of argument that Golden looked to slap down.
“By making cheap products and low prices their north star, advocates of globalization and free trade miss the long-term opportunities available if we instead pursue a goal of encouraging and sustaining American industry and jobs,” Golden wrote.
The big picture: It’s no surprise that Golden and Theriault agree on the 10 percent tariffs. Trump’s party-bending stance on trade was identified early in the 2016 campaign as a potential source of strength in rural Maine, presaging his two victories in the 2nd District.
What they’re saying: Golden and Theriault are still sniping on the issue. Theriault’s campaign has repeatedly pointed to a video showing Golden saying at a 2018 forum that he opposed tariffs and linking it to the congressman’s vowing not to vote for Trump this year.
“Jared Golden says he’s opposing Donald Trump, who would actually impose the tariffs,” Shawn Roderick, Theriault’s campaign manager, said in a Wednesday statement. “What a joke.”
“You learn a lot serving in the House for six years. If Austin took this seriously and did his homework, he’d understand that what worked yesterday may not work today,” Golden retorted in a statement nodding to the video. “We need tariffs today. The future may well require different tools, including potentially tweaking or removing these tariffs.”
What’s next: The 2nd District candidates will joust over tariffs. More is at stake on the issue in the presidential election. Trump also wants 60 percent tariffs on all Chinese goods, while Harris is emphasizing her desire to raise corporate taxes.
