Senator Tim Kaine reacts to President Trump's tariffs

Opinions on President Trump's tariffs remain divided among local lawmakers. Democratic Senator Tim Kaine expressed his views on the tariffs, which target countries Trump has labeled as the worst offenders in trade relations with the United States.

"I have supported tariffs in the past," said Kaine. "If a nation is engaging in a very unfair trade practice against the United States, the idea for a reciprocal tariff, well, we are going to do the same thing to you, then hopefully that will encourage both of us to back off. I get that."

However, Kaine criticized Trump's tariffs, stating they are not reciprocal but rather punitive, targeting countries for trade deficits. He expressed concern that many of these countries are U.S. allies.

"Look, huge tariffs he just is putting on Japan and South Korea. They are allies of ours, just like Canada. You think your allies are going to want to cooperate more with you if you punish them? No. You are hurting their economy and you are raising prices at home," Kaine said.

Efforts to reach multiple Republican lawmakers for comment were unsuccessful. Congressman Ben Cline, Morgan Griffith and John McGuire were not available. McGuire has scheduled a time to discuss the tariffs on April 10.