Trump Not Responsible For Tariff Price Hikes [Video]

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem admitted Sunday that Americans could see some price increases in the short term after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, China, and Mexico on Saturday.

But she told NBC’s Kristen Welker Trump will not be responsible for those potential price hikes. Noem instead argued on Meet the Press that “other people’s reactions” will be to blame if American consumers feel squeezed by the tariffs.

Welker noted leaders in Canada, China, and Mexico had vowed “retaliatory strikes” to the tariffs and asked Noem, “Is the United States now in a trade war?”

Noem argued China and America’s regional trade allies and neighbors had every opportunity to avoid the tariffs. She said all declined to help the White House curb immigration and the smuggling of drugs:

You know, these countries have an opportunity to get on board with the president of the United States and to partner with us to deal with …