Economy
Jon Husted reverses course on Trump’s tariffs he previously endorsed
In a recent interview, U.S. Sen Jon Husted (R-OH) said he generally disfavors tariffs. The comments come after Husted publicly defended and voted to uphold President Donald Trump’s tariff policies multiple times.
The comments came during an interview with News 5 Cleveland, who spoke with multiple small business owners who said Trump’s tariffs were hurting them financially. When asked if he agrees with Trump’s proposed tariffs, Husted seemingly split with Trump for the first time since the senator was appointed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) earlier this year.
“Tariffs are an interesting challenge. I am typically not in favor of anything that would be a tax or a tariff or something like that,” Husted responded.
But Husted also defended Trump’s goals, saying tariffs are a way to stop other countries from ripping off America.
“Tariffs are part of the leverage for that, but I hope that these issues get settled soon and I would like, if there are going to be any tariffs, that they be as low as possible.”
The mixed comments on tariffs from the senator come as Americans generally blame Trump for creating an affordability crisis, according to recent polls.
Husted’s office did not immediately respond to a request to clarify his break from Trump on the issue.
Husted has supported tariffs until now
The interview marks a stark change in Husted’s rhetoric and actions on the tariff issue, which have been generally optimistic. In July, Husted told Fox Business that people have gotten tariffs wrong.
“And frankly, people were wrong about the Trump strategy on tariffs,” Husted said. “He’s getting deals done. They haven’t affected the economy negatively. This economy is primed to grow, and the policies are working.”
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In October, Husted also voted to uphold Trump’s tariffs three times.
Former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Husted’s likely opponent in next year’s Senate race, criticized Husted’s record on tariffs in a statement to Heartland Signal.
“Jon Husted has repeatedly supported the reckless tariffs threatening the livelihoods of farmers and small businesses,” Brown said. “Jon Husted spent months defending these reckless tariffs as prices skyrocket across the board. Ohioans simply aren’t able to trust what Jon Husted says, because his record will always say otherwise.”
Next November, Husted will attempt to retain his seat in a special election, which will determine who serves the final two years of JD Vance’s term. Vance originally won the seat in 2022, but he stepped down when he became the Vice President in January.
Brown served in the U.S. Senate from 2007-25. In 2024, he lost his seat to Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) in one of the most expensive Senate races in U.S. history. A recent poll from Emerson College suggests another extremely close contest, this time between Brown and Husted.