Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), normally a fierce supporter of President Donald Trump, expressed some hesitation about tariffs when pressed Monday afternoon by CNN's Jake Tapper.
Trump's plan calls for 10 to 49 percent import duties on virtually the entire rest of the world — with the rate calculated by how much of a trade deficit the United States has with each country. Bowing to market panic and discontent from his party, he pared things back temporarily, announcing that for 90 days, all countries except China would only face the minimum of 10 percent.
Kennedy previously cautioned Trump to be careful with his tariff plans, saying on Fox News, "Tariffs are like whiskey. A little whiskey under the right circumstances can be refreshing. Too much whiskey under the wrong circumstances, and you end up drunk as a goat."
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"I have heard from Republicans on this show and others saying that they didn't think President Trump is as great as a communicator as they think he is, normally fully explained what he is trying to do with these tariffs," said Tapper. "In other words, yes, he has talked a lot about tariffs, but the idea that he is seeking to reshore manufacturing to the United States and that this is going to be a difficult period and that there are going to be higher prices and on and on, that that has not been, in their view, adequately communicated to the American people. What do you think?"
"Well, here's what I think," said Kennedy. "I see what you see. I think I know what's in the president's heart, but I don't know what's in his head. The people you're talking about are right. The administration has not given one clear rationale for its tariffs. I think that's intentional. I don't know, but my guess is it's intentional, and — and that it is part of the president's, negotiating strategy, but I — Jake, I don't want to feign understanding here. I don't know. But, but that's my best guess, knowing how the president operates."
"I mean, the president believes ... if you're going to be a bear, be a grizzly," Kennedy added. "Like him or dislike him, agree or disagree. Right now, he's being a grizzly."
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