WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen (NJ-11) has urged President Trump to proceed very carefully as he considers imposition of new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

“The U.S. government has an obligation to act when nations and companies trade unfairly and hurt America through their practices and pricing,” said Frelinghuysen. “However, it is clear that new across-the board tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will raise costs for American businesses and, thus, American consumers. In many ways, they act as a new tax on the American people.”

“There is also a national security aspect to this debate,” said Frelinghuysen, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and the immediate past Chairman of its Defense Subcommittee. “At a time when global threats are rising and evolving, the United States needs all the partners and allies it can get. I cannot see how new worldwide trade wars, undertaken in retaliation to our broad-based streel and aluminum tariffs, can promote security cooperation.”

“There is no doubt that the United States must defend itself and its industries and workers from unfair trade. However, the solution must not cause greater problems than they seek to solve,” he said.

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