Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., is seated before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) applauded President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, bizarrely arguing that higher tariffs will only make farmers love the president even more.

Emmer made the comments on “The Al Travis Show,” a conservative talk show, on Wednesday. During the interview, Emmer recalled a recent conversation he had with Trump regarding the president’s tariff policy with countries like Canada and Mexico, conceding that the retaliatory measures from other countries will “cause them [American people] some pain.”

Emmer implied that the financial strife caused by the trade war is worth it because Trump will become more popular.

“When people start seeing 270% tariffs, 150% tariffs, 10% tariffs, and they see how it’s screwing our people, this is just going to make Donald Trump stronger,” Emmer said.

The trade war Trump began during his first administration reportedly cost the U.S. agriculture industry as much as $27 billion. Some farmers were already seeing unprofitability in their work, with Trump’s new wave of tariffs being described as adding “insult to injury” by CNBC. After Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all imports from China, the opposing nation responded with retaliatory measures, including as much as 15% on U.S. agricultural goods.

Emmer serves as the majority whip for the U.S. House of Representatives. He has served Minnesota’s 6th Congressional district since 2015.