Lawler, Blakeman and Stefanik-Backed Trump Tariffs Are Already Hurting Upstate New York

Lawler, Blakeman and Stefanik-Backed Trump Tariffs Are Already Hurting Upstate New York

A new report from Politico New York Playbook details how Donald Trump’s dangerous tariffs and threats against Canada are already hurting businesses and the tourism industry across upstate New York – yet still have the support of New York Republicans, including those eyeing statewide runs.

Trump’s tariffs and his bellicose rhetoric against Canada have been cheered by Republicans like Rep. Elise Stefanik, Rep. Mike Lawler and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman. Meanwhile, businesses across upstate New York are already paying the price. According to the North Country Chamber of Commerce, businesses in the North Country have already seen a 66 percent drop in business from Canadians. And as Politico notes, things are only set to get worse for a region that relies on Canadian tourism. According to the Tourism Economics Project, “overall travel from Canada could plummet 20 percent this year, costing the United States $3.4 billion in lost revenue compared to last year.”

Despite the cost to her district, Stefanik is “voicing her full support” for Trump’s tariffs. Blakeman even went to the White House to cheer on Trump’s tariff policies – and earned a shout out from the president. And Lawler continues to champion the president’s tariffs on national TV – despite the impact they are already having on upstate New York.

“Republicans like Elise Stefanik, Mike Lawler and Bruce Blakeman would rather embrace a disastrous, job-killing agenda and see businesses in upstate New York suffer than stand up to Donald Trump’s chaos and destruction,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Kevin Donohoe. “While farmers and small businesses across New York are already facing the disastrous effects of these tariffs, Lawler, Blakeman, and Stefanik continue to prove they can’t be trusted to put New Yorkers over their own extreme partisan politics.”

###