'What's the point of reciprocity then?': GOP Sen Kennedy corners Lutnick over Trump's tariff policy
During a fiery moment at the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, Republican Senator John Kennedy grilled Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over the logic of U.S. tariff policy. When Kennedy asked if the U.S. would drop its tariffs should Vietnam do the same, Lutnick flatly replied, 'Absolutely not. That'd be the silliest thing we could do.' Kennedy fired back, questioning the very basis of reciprocal trade policy: 'Then what's the point of reciprocity?' The tense exchange highlighted deep GOP scepticism over the Trump administration's trade stance and drew attention to widening divisions over tariff strategy and economic fairness in global markets.
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