Pritzker: Tariffs Will "Put People Out of Business"

Governor JB Pritzker continues to be one of the most vocal opponents to the Trump Administration.

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Governor JB Pritzker continued his quest to become the face of the resistance to the Trump administration Monday shooting back on President Trump’s proposed tariff hits on Canada and Mexico.

“You’re going to put people out of business,” Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference Monday. “These are enormous tariffs, and this is a tax on working families. This is what Trump is all about.”

Trump Monday imposed a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports into the United States with no exceptions or exemptions.

While most steel imported into the U.S. comes from Canada and Brazil, Trump’s move appears to be aimed at China. But, Pritzker questioned Trump’s motivations.

“It is not because he is looking for trade fairness,” Pritzker said. “It appears, likely, that this is about paying for the tax cut that he intends to provide to the wealthiest Americans. The effect on all of us and the entire country, and, in particular, working families, is everything’s gonna cost more.”

Just last week, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports to the US, adding to existing tariffs on China. In retaliation, China quickly imposed tariffs on certain chips and metals.

He put a hold on his proposal to add a 25% tariff to goods coming into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, which have concerned many farm groups around the state and country.

Pritzker continues to make pointed criticisms at nearly every turn and at each of the latest Trump action, fueling speculation he’s attempting to raise his national profile ahead of a 2028 presidential run.

NewsPatrick Pfingsten