Trump 10% blanket tariff gets rare backing from House Democrat: ‘Pleased’

In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden of Maine has expressed cautious optimism at President Donald Trump’s stance on tariffs, diverging from the majority of his party’s strong opposition. Golden highlighted that he had previously proposed a 10% blanket tariff on U.S. imports, and he is pleased that Trump’s baseline policy aligns with his own proposal.

“I’m pleased the president is building his tariff agenda on the foundation of a universal 10% tariff like the one I proposed in the BUILT USA Act. This ring fence around the American economy is a good start to erasing our unsustainable trade deficits,” Golden stated in a lengthy statement. He emphasized the importance of working with the president to fix the broken free trade system and prioritize the prosperity of American families.

However, Golden acknowledged that Trump has introduced several new tariff policies alongside the 10% universal tax. He expressed the need for a detailed review of these policies before further commenting on them. Additionally, Golden stressed the importance of ensuring that tariffs are paired with policies that support working people, unions, apprenticeship programs, and domestic manufacturers.

While Golden’s stance on Trump’s tariff plan may not be a full endorsement, it contrasts with the sentiments of many of his Democratic colleagues. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Michigan emphasized the strategic use of tariffs, while Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York pledged to introduce a resolution to challenge the national emergency invoked by Trump to justify the tariffs.

Golden’s willingness to break from his party’s stance on tariffs reflects his commitment to representing the interests of his constituents in Maine’s 2nd Congressional District, which Trump won by a significant margin in 2024. Despite the differing opinions within the Democratic Party, Golden’s cautious optimism suggests a potential for bipartisan collaboration on trade policies.

President Trump’s tariff plan includes a 10% blanket tariff on all imports into the U.S. and varying tariffs of up to 50% on both adversaries and allies. The plan also includes reciprocal tariffs on countries that tax U.S. exports, with the U.S. rate generally lower than the foreign country’s rate.

Overall, Golden’s moderate approach to Trump’s tariffs signifies a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue and find common ground on trade policy. As the debate over tariffs continues, Golden’s perspective offers a unique perspective within the Democratic Party and sets the stage for potential bipartisan cooperation in addressing trade challenges.