A strong economy is steady, secure, and reliable.

Foolhardy tariffs don't signal strength – they signal uncertainty, confusion, and risk.

Costs are already high. A twisting, turning, back-and-forth, maybe-maybe not policy on tariffs and trade are driving them higher – and putting American jobs at risk.

As of today, 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico have now been rescinded for one month. Tariffs on Chinese goods have doubled.

What happens tomorrow is anyone's guess.

But, as a reminder, tariffs are import taxes – it's an additional cost that American businesses pay on the price of imported goods – and it's adding a huge extra cost to do business with us.

While some of these tariffs are supposedly suspended for one month, we can expect nations that are normally our friends, allies, and partners to issue their own retaliatory tariffs or other unfavorable trade actions against us.

And if this trade war escalates, it will have huge effects: Americans will lose jobs and consumers will pay more for everyday goods.

On top of ever-rising food and agricultural production costs, we could start seeing higher prices for gasoline, electricity, cars, metals, and electronics. In just one example, the U.S. imports about 85% of the key fertilizer ingredient potash from Canada.

For the sake of farmers, families, and consumers like you and me, we hope the Trump administration ends their policy of tariffs and trade war threats. But the instability it's caused is already doing damage around the world – shaky markets, job losses, and anticipated higher prices do not make for a booming economy.

This trade war has no upside and it must end now.

Heidi

Heidi Heitkamp, Former U.S. Senator for North Dakota
Founder, One Country Project