From Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr. <[email protected]>
Subject Chairman’s Corner: What you need to know about Tariffs, Trump’s Trade War, and More.
Date April 11, 2025 10:28 PM
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Democrat,

Trump just sent the economy into a tailspin—then tried to slam on the brakes. After launching one of the largest tariff hikes in history, he reversed course within hours, temporarily pausing new taxes on nearly 60 countries because the American people got too “yippy”. Yeah, that. [[link removed]] But not on China. Tariffs on Chinese imports are now at a staggering 145% , and Beijing’s hitting back hard with 125% tariffs on American goods.

Prices are climbing. Supply chains are disrupted. And Trump’s trade war isn’t over—it’s just on pause. The chaos he created hasn’t gone away.

Is this the Golden Age we were promised? One where the price of shoes, medicine, and your morning coffee becomes unaffordable? Where inflation isn’t being fought—it’s being ignited? Trump says he's making the economy stronger. But for the rest of us, it's just getting harder to afford the basics.

Here’s what’s about to get more expensive:

What tariffs on China [[link removed]] will raise prices on: What tariffs on other countries [[link removed]] would raise prices on: * Coffee and chocolate (10–21% tariffs on major Latin American and African exporters)
* iPhones (A iPhone 15 at 125GB can go from $699 to $1,573) * Wine and spirits (20% tariff on EU, 10% on UK imports)
* TVs and kitchen appliances * Furniture (30–40% of U.S. inventory is imported)
* Tablet and laptops

And it is not over. Trump is already planning tariffs on pharmaceuticals next. While Wall Street braces for impact, Trump is bragging about raking in $2 billion a day. Not just A wild exaggeration, but a blatant lie [[link removed]] - said to the American people. His economic policy is NOT about growth, it is about punishment. And it’s working people who are getting punished.

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Trump’s trade war whiplash isn’t just rattling markets, it is WRECKING our credibility around the world. After throwing global trade into chaos with sweeping tariffs, he hit pause on nearly 60 countries for now. But don’t mistake this for strategy—it’s panic. The damage is already done.

While Trump brags about tariffs like they’re trophies, allies are backing off, rivals are doubling down, and China isn’t blinking. The tariffs on Chinese imports are still sky-high—now at 145%—and Beijing’s hitting back with brutal 125% levies of their own. Europe is watching warily. Japan and South Korea aren’t rushing to our side. The global balance of power is shifting—and Trump is too busy bragging on Truth Social to notice.

For decades, America built alliances and shaped the world economy. Now, we’re veering between trade war and truce with no plan, no coalition, and no credibility. Trump’s isolationist instincts don’t command respect—they’ve invited retaliation [[link removed]] . And even with a 90-day delay, the world is recalculating what kind of partner America really is

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Claim:
During his Rose Garden announcement of new “reciprocal tariffs,” Donald Trump unveiled a flashy chart supposedly showing how much other countries are charging the U.S. — and how much the U.S. will now charge in return. Trump claimed countries like the European Union impose tariffs as high as 39% on American goods, while the U.S. would now strike back with “discounted reciprocal tariffs” of up to 50% based on these figures. “Reciprocal. That means they do it to us, and we do it to them,” Trump declared.

The Truth:
Trump’s chart and claims are misleading. The figures presented are not actual tariff rates but rather calculations based on the trade deficit with each country. This approach is flawed because it does not accurately reflect the real tariffs countries charge or the broader factors affecting trade. By dividing the trade gap by import totals and calling the result a “tariff,” the administration inflated numbers far beyond what countries actually impose. For example, the EU’s average tariff on U.S. goods is 2.7%, but Trump’s chart claims it’s 39%.

Economists have criticized this methodology, pointing out that it ignores crucial elements like trade in services, which the U.S. enjoys a surplus in, and it falsely inflates the tariff rates. Additionally, the proposal does not factor in the negative consequences of retaliation by trading partners, which could exacerbate the U.S. trade deficit instead of reducing it.

Impact on New Jersey:
These misleading tariff claims could harm New Jerseyans who rely on imported goods and services. The inflated tariff rates could lead to higher consumer prices, disproportionately affecting lower-income families. This approach also risks escalating trade tensions with global partners, which could hurt the state’s economy and lead to retaliatory tariffs on New Jersey’s exports. With these policies, Trump’s Administration is once again prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term economic stability.

Click HERE [[link removed]] to learn the facts on Trump’s latest false claim.

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On a rainy Saturday, thousands of New Jerseyans gathered in cities like Montclair, Red Bank, and Jersey City for the nationwide "Hands Off!" protests, which opposed President Trump’s policies, including threats to Medicaid and his controversial changes to federal agencies. In Brookdale Park, Chairman Jones and Senator Cory Booker attended the rally with a crowd of 8,000+ , emphasizing the power of the people in standing up to those in power. With over 20 events across the state, protesters voiced their concerns on issues like immigrant rights and the erosion of social services, joining a national movement that spanned 1,000 events.

As a state, we rise to the occasion when it matters most, proudly standing on business and on the right side of history. New Jerseyans are united in our fight for fairness, justice, and the values that define us.

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If you were part of the protests last week and want to stay involved, or missed out on the opportunity and want to get involved, join our Campaign Training Series [[link removed]] to sharpen your skills and keep the momentum going!

In partnership with the National Democratic Training Committee, we’re offering expert-led training on voter registration, volunteer recruitment, fundraising, and more. Whether you're new to campaigning or looking to improve, these sessions will help you make an impact.

Upcoming Sessions:

* Fundraising in Action – April 26th, 10AM (virtual)
* Fundraising Emails – April 27th, 10AM (virtual)
* Messaging on Trump 2.0 – May 1st, 6:30PM (virtual)

Register now before spots fill up! The fight for democracy doesn’t stop with a protest, let’s continue pushing forward, together.

Register now by clicking HERE [[link removed]] .

To those who missed our first two sessions, we encourage you to visit our website where you can access valuable resources in our Toolkit Hub to stay engaged. Click HERE. [[link removed]]

NJDSC Campaign Training Series [[link removed]]

— Chairman LeRoy J. Jones, Jr.

P.S. As we celebrate Passover this season, let’s take a moment to reflect on our core values. May this time of reflection inspire us all to keep pushing for a brighter, more inclusive future for all.

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