GOP/NAFTA/TARIFFS/TRADE DEALS/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/TRUMP PEOPLE: “President Donald Trump’s recent moves on trade have turned an issue long considered part of the Republican orthodoxy into a political landmine for his own party. Last week, Trump’s administration announced steep tariffs on steel and aluminum from close allies Canada, Mexico and the European Union. In return, all three have promised retaliatory actions of their own. And on Friday [6-1-18], Trump that he ‘wouldn’t mind’ scrapping the North American Free Trade Agreement. In Washington, the moves frustrated some GOP lawmakers. Perhaps none slammed Trump’s decision more pointedly than retiring Sen. Bob Corker from Tennessee, who compared the President’s moves to something that would happen in Venezuela…And in several key races across the country, Republicans find themselves on the defensive over Trump’s trade agenda. Trade politics differ by state. In Ohio, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown has long backed protectionist policies and has sided with Trump on tariffs — while his Republican foe, Rep. Jim Renacci, has had to explain his past votes for international trade agreements. In border states that are heavily dependent on international trade and rural states with agriculture exports, however, Democrats are arguing that the tariffs — which put Republicans with a long history of advocating for free trade in an awkward position — will damage the local economy.”
-Eric Bradner, “Trump’s trade moves create midterm headache for Republicans,” CNN Politics, CNN.com June 4, 2018 6:06 am