Mobile Courant

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama discussed the impact of President Donald Trump's tariffs strategy on the state's workforce and agriculture in an interview with Larry Kudlow on Fox Business. The focus of their conversation centered on trade relations with China and the broader implications for American manufacturing and farming.

During the exchange, Kudlow mentioned that Trump's approach to trade negotiations has been vindicated, though some concern remains about certain sectors. "Alabama Senator, Mr. Tommy Tuberville. Senator Tuberville, welcome, sir. So, you hear Mr. Trump […] brought everyone to the table," Kudlow stated, while praising Trump's negotiation tactics.

In response, Tuberville expressed support for the trade policy, emphasizing the need for a strong stance against China. He said, "We got a lot of panicans here in the Capitol, but at the end of the day, President Trump holds the cards."

Further discussing the topic, Tuberville highlighted the impact of Chinese imports on U.S. manufacturing. "China sends daily 300 container ships... to the United States of America with mostly junk," Tuberville noted, advocating for a return to domestic production. He referenced the decline in manufacturing towns due to trade agreements such as NAFTA, stating, "If we don't get it back now, it'll never happen."

Addressing the concerns of Alabama's residents, Tuberville acknowledged challenges faced by car manufacturers and emphasized the struggles of the farming community. "My god. If we don’t do something to help our farmers, it’s over," he said, focusing on difficulties like rising costs and severe weather impacts on planting seasons.

Kudlow added context regarding China's unmet commitments in the phase-one trade deal, highlighting the strain on farmers. Tuberville responded by describing efforts to assist them, "We gave them $10 billion dollars—the farmers—right before Christmas to get a loan for this year's crops."

Tuberville reiterated the resilience of farmers and the importance of supporting them through such adversities: “All we need to do is help them just a little bit, and they’ll be there.”

The conversation concluded with Kudlow thanking Senator Tuberville: "Senator Tommy Tuberville, thank you for your wisdom as always."

Tuberville is a member of several Senate committees, covering armed services, agriculture, veterans’ affairs, health, education, labor, pensions, and aging.