Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the U.S. might be in the "early stages" of a trade war, The Hill reported.
"As you all know, I've said before, I'm concerned about getting into a trade war and it seems like… we may actually be in the early stages of it. Nobody wins a trade war, and so it would be good if it ended soon," said McConnell during a Friday press conference in Kentucky.
U.S. trade partners are using reciprocal tariffs to target industries that would impact Kentucky, including bourbon and Toyota vehicle production, McConnell said.
"As I've said repeatedly in the last few weeks as this has unfolded, this would not be good for the commonwealth," McConnell said.
President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports against trading allies such as the European Union, Canada, and Mexico, which have led to tariffs in return.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted 88-11 to approve a nonbinding motion that supports a role for Congress in setting tariffs based on national security.
The president does not require congressional approval to levy tariffs, The Hill noted.
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