Cantwell Warns Treasury Nom That Trump’s Tariffs Plan Puts Washington Growers and Manufacturers at Risk

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, warned Scott Bessent, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Treasury, of Trump’s proposed tariffs that would harm growers, manufacturers, businesses, and consumers in Washington state.
“I want to focus on innovation, not the tariffs. I'm worried that the tariffs are going to increase supply chain [prices]. They're going to increase prices on our farmers. They're going to increase prices on Americans,”said Sen. Cantwell.“Don't you think we are in an environment where exporting products, and growing markets outside the United States, is a big economic opportunity, and what are you going to do to build coalitions to help us be able to achieve opening up those markets, as opposed to just the retaliatory tariff environment, which may raise costs on Americans and not resolve these issues?”
Bessent responded:“So, I agree with you that opening markets is good, but the free trade must be also balanced against fair trade. And clearly, what has happened, is the trade has not been fair, that has fallen on the American workers, and we cannot allow, as I think I mentioned to you, China is the most imbalanced, unbalanced economy in the history of the world.”
Sen. Cantwell continued:“But I'm saying I believe in coalitions…I hope that you will look at what we're going to do to build allies. I mean, these numbers that basically are talking about just the tariff and what it would do to the price of gasoline, given Canada, is concerning.”
“And so, I want to know that that the Trump administration is going to focus as much on innovating our way to success as we are on the tariffs. Because I do think we're going to see retaliatory tariffs. We saw them in our state. It hurt us in our agriculture,”said Sen. Cantwell.
Sen. Cantwell was the leading voice in negotiations to end India’s 20% retaliatory tariff on American apples, which devastated Washington state’s apple exports. In September 2023, Indiaended its retaliatory tariffson apples and pulse crops followingseveral yearsof Sen. Cantwell’s advocacy.
“We’re losing farmers in the middle of the trade wars, and that's a concern I have,”Sen. Cantwell added.
Sen. Cantwell has been a champion for Washington state growers and exports. Sen. Cantwell has been a consistent champion of Washington state’s agriculture industry, which is vital to the state’s economy. Agriculture and food manufacturing generate more than $21 billion per year and employ more than 171,000 people. Small and family farmsare key contributors, making up 89% and 94%, respectively, of Washington’s farms.
In May 2023, Sen. Cantwellsent a letterurging the Biden Administration to help U.S. potato growers finally get approval to sell fresh potatoes in Japan. In June 2023, Sen. Cantwell hosted U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), then-chair of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, in Washington statefor a forumwith30 local agricultural leadersin Wenatchee to discuss the Farm Bill.
In 2022, Sen. Cantwell spearheadedpassageof the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law to crack down on skyrocketing international ocean shipping costs and ease supply chain backlogs that raise prices for consumers and make it harder for U.S. farmers and exporters to get their goods to the global market.
In August 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Cantwell sent a letter to then-Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perduerequesting aid funds be distributed to wheat growers. In December 2018, Sen. Cantwell celebrated the passage of the Farm Bill, which included$500 million of assistance for farmers, including those who grow wheat.
In 2019, Sen. Cantwell helpedsecure a provisionin the $16 billionUSDA relief package, ensuring sweet cherry growers could access emergency funding to offset the impacts of tariffs and other market disruptions.
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