In a significant break from his former running mate, ex-U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has labeled the Trump administration’s sweeping use of tariffs as a “misstep,” warning of its potential fallout both economically and politically.
Speaking to The Hill earlier this week, Pence voiced concern that the aggressive tariff strategy implemented during Donald Trump’s presidency could backfire on the Republican Party—particularly in the upcoming midterm elections. Though he supported parts of the trade agenda at the time, Pence now believes the blanket imposition of tariffs, especially on U.S. allies and essential industries, could do more harm than good.
Pence joins a growing chorus of Republican voices criticizing the policy that once defined Trump’s economic nationalism. Among them are prominent GOP senators Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, both of whom have expressed alarm over the long-term effects of tariffs on American consumers and the U.S. economy.
Senator Cruz, speaking on Fox News and his podcast, likened tariffs to a “tax hike” on the American public. While he acknowledged the strategic use of tariffs as a short-term bargaining chip, he cautioned against permanent adoption, noting that they can escalate inflation, stifle job creation, and tip the economy toward a recession.
Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul took a more constitutional stance in a recent Senate floor speech. He rejected the White House’s use of “national emergency” justifications to unilaterally impose tariffs, urging Congress to reclaim its authority over trade policy. “Tariffs have become tools of executive overreach,” Paul declared, calling for legislative oversight to prevent economic mismanagement.
The dissent within the Republican ranks signals a potential shift in the party’s economic approach post-Trump. While tariffs were once heralded by GOP leadership as a means of defending American industry, there is now growing concern that they’ve backfired—hurting U.S. competitiveness, inflating prices, and straining international alliances.
The debate underscores a broader GOP identity crisis: whether to double down on populist trade nationalism or return to traditional free-market principles.
As the 2025 election cycle heats up, this internal conflict may define the Republican Party’s future—both at the polls and in the global economic arena.