President Donald Trump has been successful in his negotiations with Mexico and China and is on the "brink of a victory," but to bring his win home, the administration must remove its tariffs on steel and aluminum, which have resulted in retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico on U.S. products, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said Tuesday.
"I want to help the president get to a victory, and taking these tariffs off is a very necessary first step not only for us but for Mexico and Canada as well," Grassley told Fox News' "Fox & Friends," while doubling down on a column he wrote on the topic for The Wall Street Journal.
Grassley acknowledged the tariffs affect his state's agriculture industry, but said that is not the only reason he wants the tariffs removed.
"I'm doing it because trade for the last 70 or 80 years made a big difference," Grassley said. "Fifty years ago, half the world was in poverty. Now less than 10% of the world is in poverty. I have read statistics where in a couple of years, 50% of the world's going to be considered middle class in their respective countries. So, trade is good."
The senator said he will have an opportunity to speak with Trump, and he really wants to help him get a win.
"He already has a win. He is on the cusp of getting this through three countries, having a major victory, then he is on the brink of victory in China," said Grassley, "so he has done a wonderful accomplishment so far on trade."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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