By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Gov. Doug Ducey took a swat of sorts Monday at businesses who are concerned about the effects of the president’s threatened tariffs on the state and national economy.
Ducey, speaking with reporters, specifically mentioned the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which released a study saying that a 5 percent tariff – the first step that Trump plans to impose on June 10 – would increase costs to Arizona consumers by about $452 million. The chamber also said if the levy goes to 25 percent in October, as the president has threatened, that would translate out to an additional nearly $2.3 billion paid by Arizonans.
Ducey was unimpressed.
“Well, the U.S. Chamber is going to prioritize commerce,” he said.
“That’s why they’re called the Chamber of Commerce,” Ducey continued. “The Arizona governor is going to prioritize safety.”
And Ducey said he believes it’s possible to do both.
