Senator Mark Kelly expressed concerns over the economic impact of tariffs, emphasizing their potential to harm American businesses and consumers more than they benefit them.
Speaking to KGUN 9, he pointed out that tariffs, like those on Chinese imports, are typically paid at ports of entry by the importing company or individual, and these costs are often passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices.
Kelly also criticized the idea of relying on tariffs as a strategy, instead advocating for more strategic investments in domestic manufacturing, like the CHIPS and Science Act.
This act, which has secured significant funding for semiconductor manufacturing, aims to strengthen supply chains and create well-paying jobs, including the expected 12,000 jobs at the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s new facility in Phoenix.
The senator’s stance highlights a preference for long-term solutions that focus on strengthening U.S. manufacturing capacity rather than short-term tariff measures that could disrupt supply chains and increase consumer costs.