Glenn Youngkin Says Tariffs Are a “Great Opportunity,” Dismissing Harm They Are Causing Virginians

On Tuesday, as reported by Radio IQ/WVTF, Governor Glenn Youngkin said Trump’s tariffs are a “great opportunity for Virginia.” His doubling down of support for Trump’s tariffs came the same day that the Volvo Group North America announced 250 to 350 workers would be laid off at its plant in Pulaski County due in part to  the reckless tariffs. 

Last week in Hampton Roads, home to one of the largest ports in the United States, economists warned that Trump’s escalating trade war will cause an “economic slowdown” across the region.

“Every time Glenn Youngkin opens his mouth, he shows just how out of touch he is with everyday Virginians. Calling harmful tariffs a ‘great opportunity’ on the very day hundreds of workers learn they could be losing their jobs is not leadership,” said DPVA Communications Director Kelsey Carolan. “The reality that Youngkin refuses to acknowledge is that families, farmers, and small businesses are facing real economic pain. Virginia needs a leader who will put Virginians first — that’s why we need Abigail Spanberger as our next Governor.”

Radio IQ/WVTF: Youngkin backs Trump’s tariff plans at Virginia Ag Trade Conference
By: Brad Kutner

• “Governor Glenn Youngkin gave the thumbs up to President Donald Trump’s tariff policies Tuesday. The remarks came at an agricultural trade conference held Tuesday in Richmond where the impacts of Trump’s policy were also discussed.”

• “[...] I do think this is a great opportunity for Virginia,” Youngkin said.

• “[...] International trade consultant Ned Steiner also addressed the crowd Tuesday. When asked about how Americans should view Trump’s tariffs in the short-term Steiner warned: ‘All of those small ecommerce businesses, if they source from China, how are they going to deal with a 125% tariff? The result of this is going to be consolidation, the disappearance of a lot of these smaller companies.’”

• According to the Greater Washington Board of Trade, there are more than 800,000 small businesses in Virginia; they employ almost half of the Commonwealth’s residents.