WILLISTON, VT — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined small business owners, trade experts, and state and local leaders at Rigorous Technology in Williston for a timely discussion on how President Trump’s chaotic tariff policies have ignited a trade war that hurts Vermont’s economy.

“What I’ve heard from Vermonters over the past year is exactly what my colleagues in red states and blue states have heard from their constituents—the President’s trade war has been a disaster from the start. These tariffs have destroyed generations-old partnerships between Vermonters and our allies, making it harder for small businesses to thrive. It’s alarming that after one year of watching these tariffs wreak havoc on our communities, Republicans are still willing to sacrifice our constitutional authority to placate this lawless President,” said Senator Welch. “We need to block these tariffs and make it easier for small businesses to make their own way, not stack the deck against them.” 

President Trump imposed new tariffs and ignited a trade war on the first day of his second term—one year ago today. The Supreme Court could soon issue a ruling on the legality of the administration’s sweeping global tariffs. Contrary to the administration’s claims, a new study published this week found the trade war is raising costs and consumer prices for Americans, not our trading partners and foreign producers. 

View photos from the event below and on the Senator’s website:    

Senator Welch is a leading voice opposing President Trump’s trade war. The Senator’s bipartisan legislation to repeal President Trump’s global tariffs passed the Senate in October. He is also the sponsor of the CANADA Act, bipartisan legislation that would exempt U.S.-owned small businesses from tariffs imposed on Canada. Senator Welch is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade and tariffs. 

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