Special Poll
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) continued his criticism of the Trump administration’s latest policies in a Wednesday op-ed, warning that the president’s sweeping tariffs could harm businesses in Kentucky.
In an essay published just hours before he cast a no vote on Trump’s newly confirmed Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, McConnell voiced strong opposition to the president’s trade approach. He cautioned that Trump’s “aggressive proposals leave big, lingering concerns for American industry and workers.”
McConnell has not held back from challenging Trump, maintaining a strained relationship with him, particularly after the events of January 6. Even after stepping down from party leadership, he has continued to push back against key elements of the Trump agenda.
Addressing the current debate over tariffs, McConnell wrote in a Courier Journal op-ed that while the border crisis demands serious attention, tariffs are not the right solution. “Blanket tariffs make it more expensive to do business in America, driving up costs for consumers across the board,” he argued, citing economists’ warnings that these measures will lead to higher prices for American families and provoke swift retaliation from trade partners.
He pointed out that hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs rely on trade with Canada and Mexico, and that protectionist policies could disrupt the free-market economy that businesses in Kentucky and beyond depend on. “Sudden shifts to protectionism” could undermine international trade relationships, affecting industries across the country.
Earlier this week, Trump announced a blanket 25% tariff on imports of steel and aluminum—two essential materials for manufacturing cars, appliances, and other goods. While signing the order, Trump signaled that this was “the first of many” such moves.
A trade war with China has already escalated, as Beijing retaliated against previous U.S. tariffs. While Trump temporarily paused tariffs on Canada and Mexico, tying them to demands for stricter border security and fentanyl restrictions, uncertainty remains over what further trade measures might be introduced.
Hours after Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded with retaliatory measures and urged Canadians to buy locally-made products—which could mean skipping out on Kentucky bourbon.
McConnell, whose home state produces 95% of the world’s bourbon, made sure to emphasize the impact on local businesses. “Trade wars with our partners hurt working people most,” he wrote. “The president has better tools to protect American workers without forcing our families and businesses to absorb higher costs.”