The Wall Street Journal's conservative editorial board mocked President Donald Trump in a new op-ed on Monday over the president's auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
The editorial argued that Trump's auto tariffs on Mexico and Canada are "starting to bite U.S. auto makers and will soon hit consumers." It was published at a time when public polling shows 61% of Americans disagree with Trump's handling of inflation, which is their top economic concern.
"Mr. Trump in March slapped 25% tariffs on autos and parts in the name of protecting national security. Oh no, an invasion of Mexican Chevys!" the editorial board wrote.
The Trump administration has used tariffs as a bargaining chip with foreign countries, although experts disagree about the effectiveness of the strategy.
WSJ's editorial board argued that the "biggest victims" of the policy are U.S. automakers' supply chains. For instance, the op-ed notes that General Motors is projecting a $5 billion hit because of Trump's tariffs.
The editorial warns that those impacts trickle down to American consumers.
"Americans will hold onto their jalopies longer if they can’t afford a new Chevy," the op-ed reads. "That won’t help the U.S. auto industry or workers."
