Gallego: ‘Tariffs on Mexico and Canada are a tax on Arizona families and businesses.’
WASHINGTON – Today, President Donald Trump announced he is implementing 25 percent tariffs on products imported from Mexico and Canada. In response, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) released the following statement:
“Tariffs on Mexico and Canada are a tax on Arizona families and businesses. Trade with Mexico brings billions of dollars into Arizona’s economy and supports tens of thousands of jobs. Fruits, vegetables, car parts, warehouses, trucking – President Trump is putting that all at risk.
“This trade war will produce no winners, only losers. Prices will go up, groceries will be more expensive, and jobs will be lost. These announced tariffs on Mexico and Canada are not sound economics; they’re just a play to stroke President’s Trump’s ego.”
Background on Arizona Trade Relationship with Mexico and Canada:
Mexico is far and away Arizona’s largest trading partner. Arizona’s two-way trade with Mexico was $19.6 billion in 2022: nearly $8.7 billion in exports and $10.8 billion in imports.
Over 27 percent of Arizona’s exports are bound for Mexican markets and 33 percentof Arizona’s imports are from Mexico, including grocery essentials like tomatoes and peppers. Additionally, the automotive industry in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico produces 1,488 vehicles daily, supporting more than 50,600 employees.
Canada is Arizona’s second-largest trading partner, importing nearly $3 billion in everything from engine parts to lettuce from Arizona each year.