Tariffs, budget, energy discussed by congressman at freight conference

COLLEGEDALE, Tenn. (WDEF)-  Representatives Chuck Fleischmann and Steve Womack of Arkansas discussed various topics at the Thrive Regional Partnership’s quarterly meeting.

Representative Chuck Fleischmann says the proposed 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico (which as of Monday evening have been postponed by a month), and a proposed 10 percent tariff on China, are a negotiation tactic by the Trump administration.

Rep. Fleischmann said, “I think what we need to do is give him his space to attempt this, and then watch how this works…One of the good things is President Trump as an astute businessperson, he will watch and see what the effects are on these other countries, on the treasury, on the economy, and react accordingly.”

He reacted to the development on Monday that the President was delaying the tariff on Mexico due to an agreement on border security.

Rep. Fleischmann said, “I was pleased to see this morning that there was a pause in the Mexican deal for 30 days. I think that will be a plus, to give everyone a cooling off period so they can work through their issues.”

This came as Representative Womack said many programs are in limbo due to no formal budget being passed for this fiscal year.

The fiscal year began in September, but the federal government has been at a deadlock due to polarization.

Rep. Womack said, “March 14 we’re going to run out of money, and when we go back, Chuck and I do not have our allocations yet. Nobody has said, “Chuck your number is going to be this, Womack your number is going to be that.” We can’t mark up our bills until we have those allocations.”

Rep. Fleischmann also added that the budget is not just important for this year but for the future especially for American energy policy.

He said, “Demand for energy is going to be there. Unless we figure it out in a way that’s affordable, reliable, and resilient, we’re going to be in a position where we have a lack of energy, and when you have a lack of energy, you have to go out on the market and purchase that.”

Mexico and Canada have each worked out separate deals with the United States to delay any implementation of tariffs by a month.