Schumer slams Trump tariffs on eve of 'Liberation Day'
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — April 2 is President Donald Trump's proposed "Liberation Day," when tariffs take effect. According to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who represents New York, the proposed tariffs on Canada will raise costs by up to $6,500 a year for families.
"It's a gut punch to New York's economy that could devastate our families and small businesses in ways we haven't seen since the height of the pandemic," Schumer said. "Thousands of Upstate New York jobs are in the crosshairs with these tariffs. Lost jobs, increased prices. That's the Trump tariff agenda."
Schumer shared data showing that the tariffs endanger nearly 160,000 jobs while costing about $7 billion to the region annually. He added that the tariffs will hit families with higher prices on gas, groceries, and cars while hurting small businesses. Take a look at his numbers, which his office said came from a New York Times analysis:
| County | Number of jobs impacted by tariffs |
|---|---|
| Monroe | 21,900 |
| Erie | 20,300 |
| Onondaga | 10,000 |
| Westchester | 8,300 |
| Orange | 6,300 |
| Oneida | 6,200 |
| Chautauqua | 4,700 |
| Albany | 4,400 |
| Dutchess | 4,300 |
| Rockland | 4,100 |
| Broome | 3,800 |
| Niagara | 3,500 |
| Ontario | 3,100 |
| Saratoga | 3,100 |
| Chemung | 2,500 |
| Schenectady | 2,400 |
| Ulster | 2,400 |
| Wayne | 2,400 |
| Chenango | 2,200 |
| St Lawrence | 2,000 |
| Steuben | 2,000 |
| Sullivan | 2,000 |
| Oswego | 1,900 |
| Delaware | 1,700 |
| Cattaraugus | 1,600 |
| Cayuga | 1,600 |
| Genesee | 1,600 |
| Madison | 1,600 |
| Tioga | 1,500 |
| Rensselaer | 1,300 |
| Allegany | 1,100 |
| Clinton | 1,100 |
| Jefferson | 1,100 |
| Washington | 1,100 |
| Columbia | 1,000 |
| Cortland | 1,000 |
| Montgomery | 2,000 |
| Otsego | 1,000 |
| Fulton | 900 |
| Herkimer | 900 |
| Lewis | 900 |
| Livingston | 900 |
| Tompkins | 900 |
| Wyoming | 900 |
| Yates | 900 |
| Orleans | 800 |
| Seneca | 700 |
| Essex | 600 |
| Schuyler | 600 |
| Warren | 600 |
| Putnam | 400 |
| Franklin | 300 |
| Schoharie | 300 |
| Greene | 200 |
| Hamilton | 100 |
According to Schumer, there could be some tariffs that benefit New Yorkers, but he thinks the federal government should act with more subtlety and precision to identify such benefits, rather than enact large-scale, blanket tariffs. He also said Trump should focus on China rather than Canada.
Schumer detailed the new tariffs on goods from Canada, New York’s top trading partner, at a press conference on April 1. Last year, New York imported over $20 billion in Canadian goods and exported around $17.4 billion. Schumer said that 70% of those imports—like aluminum, lumber, and cement—support the manufacture of American products.
He said the tariffs will hit upstate New York hardest because of close ties to Canada. The likeliest cost increases would be for gas, groceries, cars, and energy. Noting that the tariffs would have to be paid for by consumers and small businesses, Schumer said the tariffs have already caused market drops and hurt retirements. Tourism has also suffered, he said, with a 23% drop in Canadian visitors in some areas, affecting local restaurants, hotels, and retail.
Schumer told New Yorkers to contact Republican representatives in the House to demand they oppose the tariffs and seek better trade deals. He said that the Senate will vote on a resolution to stop the tariffs later this week.
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