‘Liberation Day' or recession day? Colorado legislators react to Trump's tariffs
DENVER (KDVR) — On Wednesday, President Donald Trump enacted a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on nations that have trade surpluses with the U.S.
Stocks were tumbling during extended trading on Wednesday as financial markets reacted to Trump's rhetoric as he said that 'our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered' by other nations. Some of the steepest tariffs include a 34% tax on Chinese imports, 20% on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korea, 24% on Japan, and 32% on Taiwan.
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'Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years,' Trump said in remarks at the White House. 'But it is not going to happen anymore.'
Many Colorado politicians spoke out after Trump's announcement, as did lawmakers from around the globe. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the measures would fundamentally change the international trading system. Canada and Mexico were spared from the latest round of sweeping tariffs. The previously announced 25% steel and aluminum tariffs remain in place.
Democratic governor Jared Polis released an emailed statement on Wednesday, saying he's been an outspoken opponent of the tariffs. He urged federal representatives to focus on 'free trade and expanding American-made products.'
Last month, Polis designated March 15 as Colorado Canada Friendship Day as a way to honor the state's largest trading partner.
'I am deeply saddened by this Trump tax hike that increases costs on everything while also increasing the size of government by charging people more. These deeply damaging tariffs are sending the market in a downward spiral, hurting businesses, devastating manufacturing, and damaging our economy, which will lead to more inflation and recession fears,' said Polis in a release. 'I urge Colorado's members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to reject these tariffs, which will raise the cost of groceries, housing, and much more for hardworking Coloradans.'
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He also took to social platform X, saying Wednesday was 'not 'Liberation Day,' but it is sadly recession day as Trump creates one of the biggest tax hikes in American history.'
'This Trump tax hike increases the size of government through charging people more and increasing costs on everything,' Polis said.
Colorado's former governor John Hickenlooper has been outspoken about the proposed tariffs for some time. On Tuesday, he took to X, calling the tariffs 'just a tax on working Americans.'
On Wednesday, he said that Colorado has over 140,000 jobs tied to trade with Canada and that Mexico is Colorado's largest export partner, with Colorado exporting over $1.7 billion to Mexico.
'Tariffs will cost us jobs and make everyday life more expensive for working families,' he wrote.
He posted a video on Wednesday citing concerns that small businesses will see the biggest impacts from the tariffs.
Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat, said the tariffs will 'raise prices for American families and push our closest allies away.'
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'But this administration 'couldn't care less,'' he wrote on X.
Sen. Michael Bennet, also a Democrat, said the tariffs will 'sow chaos and uncertainty – and working Americans will bear the cost.'
'These shortsighted trade policies will harm hardworking Colorado families struggling to make ends meet,' he wrote. 'I will use every tool at my disposal to fight against this.'
GOP Reps. Gabe Evans, Jeff Hurd and Jeff Crank did not appear to comment on the matter publicly, but Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert shared a post on X, simply saying 'LIBERATION DAY.'
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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