Wyoming's congressional delegation denounced President Donald Trump's announcement to levy tariffs on steel and aluminum because of their potentially harmful effects.

Thursday, Trump announced he would impose a 25 percent tariff on steel and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum. Monday, he said he would withdraw the tariff proposal if the North American Free Trade Agreement is renegotiated.

Many Republican leaders, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have denounced the proposed tariffs. (Many Democratic and labor union leaders have praised the announcement.)

They have said protecting the steel and aluminum industries  may have short term benefits for them, but tariffs are taxes that in the long run will hurt consumers with higher prices and will fracture relations with other nations including allies of the United States.

Wyoming's Republican congressional delegation -- U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, and U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney -- joined the opposition, they said in prepared statements Monday:

Enzi: "Generally speaking, Senator Enzi believes it is important that the United States should engage in fair and free trade in the global marketplace to survive economically.

"Senator Enzi is concerned with implementing tariffs on aluminum and steel and believes the administration must consider the potential negative impact that it may have on our domestic industries. He has already spoken directly with President Trump about how Wyoming industries, manufacturers, farmers and ranchers rely on trade to grow their businesses at home."

Barrasso: "Senator Barrasso has always been a strong proponent of free trade. In Wyoming, we’re blessed with abundant resources and hardworking producers of beef, trona, coal and natural gas that directly benefit from free trade. We need to expand access to international markets for these Wyoming products, not limit it. We should closely examine the impacts any new tariffs could have on American workers, businesses, and trade."

Cheney: "Congresswoman Cheney is concerned that imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum could hinder the important progress that’s been made. We need to ensure that America’s trade deals benefit our workers. Imposing tariffs could have significant negative impacts on key Wyoming industries that depend upon export markets, as well as on consumers."

 

More From 107.9 Jack FM