Spanberger: “This Plan Is a Tax on Virginians”

While Serving in Congress, Spanberger Worked With Both Parties to Pass the USMCA

RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after the Trump Administration implemented tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada — a tax that will increase costs for families, business owners, and producers across the Commonwealth.

“This plan is a tax on Virginians. Everywhere I go across our Commonwealth, I hear from Virginians who are feeling more and more strain on their wallets — and a 25 percent tax on goods from two of Virginia’s largest trading partners will not deliver relief. Instead, these tariffs will hurt Virginia families, small business owners, and crop and livestock producers.

“During the first Trump Administration, I worked with both parties to improve market stability, expand export opportunities for Virginia businesses and farms, and support American jobs through the USMCA. But the reckless decision to move forward on these tariffs will neither accomplish these goals nor keep more money in Virginians’ pockets.

“Virginians deserve leaders who are focused on solving our challenges — not making them worse. As the next Governor of Virginia, I will always work to bring down costs for working families and make Virginia more affordable.”

BACKGROUND

Spanberger has consistently warned about how these tariffs could hurt Virginia families and businesses. Last month in Virginia Beach, she described how the Trump Administration’s then-proposed tariffs would “hurt consumers across the Commonwealth.”  

Spanberger has long prioritized lowering costs for Virginia families and expanding trade opportunities for Virginia businesses.

In 2019, Spanberger worked with both parties to pass the bipartisan United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which facilitates stronger trade partnerships between the three countries.

During USMCA negotiations, Spanberger brought the ideas and concerns of Virginia workers and Virginia businesses directly to the White House and administration officials. In May 2019, Spanberger met with the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative to discuss the impact of ongoing USMCA negotiations on Virginians. In December 2019, Spanberger sat down with Vice President Pence at the White House to bring the feedback of Virginia’s farmers and businesses directly to the Trump Administration. Later that month, Spanberger voted to pass the bipartisan trade deal, which President Trump signed into law.

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