This letter went out to my HR rep and both Senators:
March 12, 2025
Dear Representative Huizenga,
I’m outraged by President Trump’s tariffs. Tariffs are not taxes on foreign countries. They are taxes on the American consumer. They are raising the prices of food, gas, and other essentials at a time when most Americans can’t afford it. These tariffs will disrupt supply chains, raise costs for businesses, and put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. The stock market is already tumbling, hurting the retirement funds of millions. Trump himself admitted these tariffs will hurt us. His claims that the tariffs will be good in the long run are unfounded. History does not bear that out. He’s simply lying yet again to the American people.
Please speak out against these tariffs and take action to stop them before more damage is done.
Sincerely,
Rev. Kenneth Arthur
The following response was received from Rep. Huizenga on March 19, 2025:
Dear Mr. Arthur,
Thank you for contacting me regarding U.S. trade policy and tariffs. I always appreciate hearing from constituents and welcome this opportunity to respond.
As you know, President Trump has put forward various increased or new tariffs on U.S. trade partners. For example, President Trump put forth 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada to hold these nations accountable to their promises to address illegal immigration and the fentanyl crisis. Much like the President’s successful renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), both nations came to the table and had achieved temporary pauses on these tariffs to work to implement security reforms. Various exemptions from the tariffs have been made, including for many goods covered under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Regarding imports from China, President Trump has enacted a 10% additional tariff. In these actions, the President has rightly pointed to security concerns, a lack of cooperation, and America’s trade deficit — which exceeded $1 Trillion in 2024. And as of today, any proposed tariff on European goods is meant to simply match EU Tariffs on US goods.
Given the fast-changing tariff environment, I am constantly communicating with constituents, small businesses, and larger employers regarding President Trump’s trade policies and any impact they may have on residents of Southwest Michigan. Fair and reciprocal trade has the potential to grow our economy by reducing our trade and fiscal deficit as well as finally putting American workers and exports on a level playing field. Your input is invaluable as I remain engaged on current and future developments with my colleagues in Congress and the White House to see that our trade policy is putting America and Southwest Michigan’s manufacturers, farmers, workers, and consumers first.
Again, I appreciate you contacting me, and please do not hesitate to do so in the future. To stay up to date with the latest news on our work in Congress, you may sign up at huizenga.house.gov/forms/emailsignup to receive my e-newsletter.
Sincerely,
Bill Huizenga
Member of Congress