Looks Forward to Implementing President Trump’s Trade and Tariff Agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) today released a statement after Howard Lutnick was sworn is as the next Secretary of Commerce. CPA looks forward to working with him to implement President Trump’s America First Trade Policy memorandum. As Secretary of Commerce, Lutnick will play the leading role in executing President Trump’s Trade and Tariff Agenda to restore U.S. industrial strength, raise revenue, protect domestic producers, and address the historic U.S. trade deficit. Read CPA’s analysis of the memorandum here.
President Trump’s America First Trade Policy entrusts Secretary Lutnick with leading the review and revamping of tariffs to protect Americans. Specifically, the memorandum directs the Secretary of Commerce to assess “the economic and national security implications” of our dangerous reliance on imports. CPA strongly supports these objectives and urges swift action to implement them.
“Howard Lutnick understands that America’s trade policies must put U.S. producers, workers, and national security first,” said Zach Mottl, Chairman of CPA. “His leadership at the Commerce Department will be crucial in ensuring President Trump’s America First Trade Policy is fully implemented. Tariffs are a proven tool to reindustrialize the United States, boost domestic production, and create good-paying jobs. Importantly, Secretary Lutnick will play a leading role in using tariffs to create revenue at a time when the U.S. deficit and national debt are increasing at historic and unsustainable levels. CPA looks forward to working closely with Secretary Lutnick to advance these priorities and protect the U.S. market from unfair foreign competition.”
Lutnick has already made strong public statements in support of President Trump’s America First trade and tariff strategy. In addition to his emphasis on the importance of tariffs as a mechanism to drive domestic investment and protect American manufacturers, farmers, and ranchers, Secretary Lutnick also sees the benefits of tariffs as a preferred form of revenue generation.
“On revenue, President Trump says: “For far too long, we have relied on taxing our Great People using the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Through soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements, the American Economy has delivered growth and prosperity to the World, while taxing ourselves.” Since his confirmation, Secretary Lutnick emphasized this revenue goal, estimating that tariffs could earn the U.S. Treasury up to $700 billion.
“The United States should no longer allow foreign nations to exploit access to our market while undermining American producers,” said Jon Toomey, President of CPA. “Secretary Lutnick has made it clear that he is fully aligned with President Trump’s commitment to tariffs for revenue and protection. This is exactly the leadership we need to correct decades of failed free trade policies and ensure that our industries thrive.”
Under Secretary Lutnick’s leadership, the Commerce Department is expected to play a key role in implementing President Trump’s three-pronged tariff strategy:
- Universal Tariffs: Broad tariffs on all imports to generate federal revenue, while also providing support for reindustrialization; and
- Targeted Protective Tariffs: Tariff actions to ensure self-reliance for both economic and national security reasons.
CPA has long advocated for a pro-American trade policy that prioritizes domestic production over globalist trade agendas. With Secretary Lutnick at the helm of the Commerce Department, CPA expects to see bold action to implement policies that reindustrialize America, enforce trade laws, and strengthen U.S. economic and national security.
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