WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman
Chuck Grassley of Iowa today released the following statement regarding
President Trump’s announcement on tariffs on Mexico.
“Trade policy and border security are separate
issues. This is a misuse of presidential tariff authority and counter to
congressional intent. Following through on this threat would seriously
jeopardize passage of USMCA, a central campaign pledge of President Trump’s and
what could be a big victory for the country. President Trump should consider
alternatives, such as imposing a fee on the billions of dollars of remittances
that annually leave the United States to Mexico, which only encourage illegal
immigration and don’t help the U.S. economy. It could fund border security
measures and would put economic pressure on Mexico without imposing a financial
burden on U.S. consumers or harming American jobs. I’ve long supported
reforms to remittance law, which haven’t become law because of opposition from
big banks and other financial interests. Mexico must help get the border crisis
under control and the president should use appropriate authorities to apply
pressure. I’ve also called for a Safe Third Country Agreement so that Mexico
cannot simply pass the buck to the United States. Mexico has a leading role to
play here when asylum seekers are traversing their country without regard to
the law and without consequence. Congress must also immediately fully fund
border security and interior enforcement. Democrats should come to the table in
a reasonable way and work to put an end to the security and humanitarian crisis
on the border. I support nearly every one of President Trump’s immigration
policies, but this is not one of them. I urge the president to consider other
options.”
-30-