Pence slams Trump on tariffs and wavering Ukraine support
Mike Pence criticises Donald Trump’s tariff policy and reproaches the US president for "wavering" support for Ukraine. According to Pence, Americans have not yet felt the worst effects of the tariffs.
Tariffs "are not a win for the American people," evaluated Mike Pence in an interview with CNN, quoted by CNBC. The Republican served as the US Vice President from 2017 to 2021, during Donald Trump's first term in the White House.
Pence fears that the new US trade policy is "essentially new industrial policy that will result in inflation, that will harm consumers and that will ultimately harm the American economy."
"Even the administration has conceded that there may be a price shock in the economy, and there may be shortages," emphasized Pence.
This refers to the suspension in April for roughly three months of tariffs introduced by Donald Trump. In a recent interview on NBC, the US president blamed Joe Biden for all economic failures.
Fewer dolls and pencils
"Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know? And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally," stated Trump, defending the decision to impose strict tariffs. He referred to a statement from a cabinet meeting earlier in the week when he dismissed concerns that the tariffs would lead to supply shortages in the American market.
"Keeping dolls affordable, keeping our kids’ toys affordable, that really is part of the American dream," Pence responded on CNN.
The former vice president also took a jab at Trump, referencing his policy towards Ukraine and accusations against Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump said that Zelensky is a dictator who convinced the US to engage in a "war they couldn't win."
"If the last three years teaches us anything, it’s that Vladimir Putin doesn’t want peace; he wants Ukraine. And the fact that we are now nearly two months of following a ceasefire agreement that Ukraine has agreed to and Russia continues to delay and give excuses confirms that point," explained Pence.
According to the Republican, the White House's "wavering support" has "emboldened Russia" to continue the war and further shelling of Ukrainian cities.
