Reports have emerged that Republican lawmakers representing competitive regions are feeling an increased sense of crisis as the stock market plummets and concerns about inflation grow due to the reciprocal tariff policy being pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Given that economic dissatisfaction was the driving force behind the start of Trump’s second administration, there are worries that radical tariff policies may exacerbate market instability, potentially hindering the Republican Party in the midterm elections next November.
The Hill, a congressional news outlet, reported on the 6th (local time) that some Republican lawmakers in competitive states are already under pressure from voters regarding tariff issues.
Rep. Jen Kiggans, whose district is in a competitive region of Virginia, was asked during a recent telephone town hall, “What is your position on tariff policies that cause inflation?” In response, Kiggans said, “I understand there are concerns and anxieties,” but added, “We need to consider the role of tariffs and why the president has imposed them. Please be patient and keep the ultimate goal in mind.”
Rep. Don Bacon, from the Nebraska region where Vice President Kamala Harris won in the last presidential election, also positively assessed some policy directions of the Trump administration but noted, “Nebraska residents prefer free trade agreements over trade disputes.”
Voices of concern about former President Trump’s tariff policy are also emerging in the Senate.
Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas), a close ally of Trump, warned on a podcast on the 5th that “if every country retaliates with tariffs against the U.S. and President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs remain in place, terrible consequences will follow,” adding, “If the U.S. experiences a recession and the public suffers, voters will punish the ruling party.”
Senator Jerry Moran (Kansas) also conveyed that there are significant concerns about Trump's tariff policy being excessively aggressive in his district.
The reason criticism is emerging even within the Republican Party, often referred to as ‘Trump’s Party,’ is that former President Trump’s hardline economic measures are leading to public discontent.
According to a poll conducted by the Associated Press at the end of last month, just before the announcement of the reciprocal tariffs, President Trump’s approval rating in the economic sector stood at 40%.
A Republican strategist warned in an interview with The Hill, “If this issue lingers too long and becomes ingrained in people’s minds, even if the situation improves later, the Republican Party will have already suffered damage,” and noted, “On the other hand, if inflation or short-term economic pain continues until the midterm elections next year, the Republican Party could face a complete defeat.”
The Washington Post (WP) also reported that “passive resistance or small signs of opposition to the tariff policy are being detected among Republican lawmakers,” and analyzed that “this trend may grow further, and the success or failure of the Republican Party ultimately depends on the tariff policy and the overall economic situation.”