Senate Dems Argue Tariffs Harm National Defense Alliances
Imposing tariffs on the European Union at the same time you're insisting that the continent spend more on its own defense undermines that request, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and two Democratic colleagues told the president in a letter last week. That's because even a 10% tariff on EU exports will stifle its economy, they argued.
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Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on Armed Services Committee, and Intelligence Committee Vice Chair Mark Warner, D-Va., authored the letter.
"We are already seeing reports that partners will have to diversify away from U.S. parts in weapons production and procurement and critical security partnerships, like AUKUS, could end up too expensive to pursue," they said May 15.
"The tariffs are also likely in conflict with our U.S. treaty commitments. For instance, the tariffs imposed on NATO members could be a violation of Article II of the North Atlantic Treaty, which calls on all NATO partners to 'eliminate conflict in their international economic policies,' and 'encourage economic collaboration.' The same language exists in our mutual defense treaty with Japan. The Administration must explain to [us] how the tariff announcements are in accordance with U.S. treaty commitments."
They wrote: "We urge you to assess the long-term national security implications of your short-sighted, impulsive tariff agenda. ... We are stronger together. And launching a trade war against our allies and partners undermines that strength."