Virginia House Democrats Call on Trump Administration to Revise or Rescind 25 Percent Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04) led her Virginia Democratic colleagues Representatives Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) in a letter to President Trump’s U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, urging the Administration to revise or rescind its 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico.

These tariffs would have dire effects on family farmers, who often operate on slim margins and are especially vulnerable to price volatility and market disruptions caused by unforeseen trade barriers.

“This ill-advised blanket tariff policy would have severe economic consequences for Virginia’s farmers and agricultural sector, many of whom rely heavily on international markets to sustain their farming operations,” wrote the lawmakers.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, imposing tariffs on major U.S. trading partners would significantly impact Virginia’s soybean, pork, poultry, and tobacco exports.

When China and Mexico imposed retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods during trade disputes in 2018 and 2019, American farmers faced significant losses. The cost of U.S. products increased abroad, reducing their competitiveness and resulting in a $27 billion decline in U.S. agricultural exports over two years. In Virginia, the losses were significant, with Virginia farmers losing nearly $51 million and $12 million from soybean and tobacco exports, respectively.

“As a state where farming is the largest private industry, providing over 381,000 jobs and producing $82 billion for the economy, Virginia’s farmers depend on fair and open trade policies,” McClellan, Scott, Connolly, Beyer, Vindman, and Subramanyam continued. “Let us be clear: this misguided tariff policy directly endangers their livelihoods.

“Supporting policies that maintain and expand market access for U.S. agricultural products is essential for ensuring the prosperity of farmers across Virginia and the nation.”

Read the Virginia Democratic delegation’s full letter to President Trump here.