New Dems Host Roundtable on Tariffs in Seattle, WA on 11th Stop of the On the Road Tour
Today, New Dem Members completed the 11th stop on the New Dems on the Road Tour, an initiative to get New Dem Members out of Washington, D.C. to hear from American workers, businesses, industry experts, nongovernmental organizations, and local leaders about how to improve policy in Washington.
New Democrat Coalition Rural Revitalization Working Group Chair Kim Schrier (WA-08) hosted former New Dem Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and New Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06) for a roundtable discussion in Seattle, WA on the sweeping economic impacts of President Trump’s tariffs and ongoing trade war.
The Members convened the roundtable at the Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT) alongside WCIT President Lori Otto Punke, and were joined by business owners from across Washington state to hear about how the President’s tariffs and broader trade strategy are raising costs and hurting American businesses.
"Washington State exports more goods than nearly every state in the country, meaning that President Trump's reckless tariffs are especially destructive for farmers, small businesses, and families in my district," said Congresswoman Kim Schrier. "At today's New Dem Coalition roundtable, we heard directly from business leaders in our community who expressed just how harmful the President's trade policy is for our local economy. I'm thankful for their thoughtful perspective and candor, and will continue to fight for them and the entire Eighth District in D.C."
“Today’s discussion makes clear that Trump’s illegal and chaotic tariffs are hurting businesses, cutting jobs, and raising prices on families,” said Congresswoman Suzan DelBene. Washington state is an important place to host a roundtable like this because our economy is so trade-dependent with four out of every 10 jobs tied to international trade. New Dems have been at the forefront of smart, forward-looking trade policy that grows our economy for everyone. Discussions like this are critical for our work, understanding the harm the president’s sweeping tariffs are having on the ground and developing real solutions that can set workers and businesses on the right path going forward.”
“Today’s conversation underscores the real-world impact of President Trump’s disastrous trade policies. I have met with businesses of all sizes in the Willamette Valley and across the Pacific Northwest, and their message is clear: President Trump’s unilateral tariffs have hurt businesses, stalled investments, and raised prices for consumers,” said Congresswoman Andrea Salinas. “Trump should focus on helping workers and businesses thrive. That’s what I’m focused on, and I’m grateful to New Dems, the Washington Council on International Trade, and all the business leaders I’ve met with for working with me to advance this goal.”
Background
Through New Dems on the Road, New Dem Members are holding conversations across the country to hear from the American people, with each meeting organized under the policy goals of one of the Coalition’s nine Working Groups. New Dems are meeting with local leaders, stakeholders, small business owners, industry experts, and more to hear about the cost of President Trump’s chaos and what New Dems can do to fight back and make progress on the issues that really matter to the American people.
The tenth New Dems On the Road event was held on September 26th in Menlo Park, CA where New Dem Innovation & Technology Working Group Chair Sam Liccardo (CA-16) hosted New Dem Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10), Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Global Competitiveness Task Force Chair Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Rural Revitalization Working Group Chair Kim Schrier (WA-08), and New Dem Member Kevin Mullin (CA-15) for a roundtable discussion with TechNet CEO Linda Moore and tech executives to discuss the New Dem Innovation Agenda and how New Dems can continue to promote American innovation, invest in groundbreaking research, and create jobs right here at home.
The ninth event was held on August 28th in Silverton, OR where New Dem Leadership Member Andrea Salinas (OR-06) teamed up with New Dem Member Janelle Bynum (OR-05) for a roundtable discussion on rural economic development with local government officials, nonprofit groups, and local business leaders.
The eighth event was held on August 4th in Brea, CA, where New Dem Member Derek Tran (CA-45) hosted New Dem National Security Working Group Chair Gil Cisneros (CA-31) in his district to tour a facility that manufactures technologies used in the production of domestic nuclear energy, which is essential to our national security. During the tour, Reps. Tran and Cisneros met with manufacturers to discuss how these technologies are essential to lowering the cost of American energy production, decreasing energy prices for consumers, and securing energy independence.
The seventh event was held on July 30th in Gary, IN where New Dem Workforce and Education Working Group Chair Frank Mrvan (IN-01) hosted Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) for a roundtable discussion with representatives of organized labor, higher education institutions, and local nonprofits at the roundtable to discuss the federal government’s role in strengthening the workforce through education and training initiatives.
The sixth event was held on July 19th in Santa Barbara, CA where New Dem Vice Chair for Outreach Salud Carbajal (CA-24) hosted Top House Agriculture Committee Democrat and New Dem Angie Craig (MN-02) in Santa Barbara, CA for a roundtable discussion on wildfire preparedness and prevention with local government officials, first responders, wildfire experts, and nonprofit groups.
The fifth event was held on July 11th in Garner, NC, where New Dem Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Chair Deborah Ross (NC-02) hosted New Dem Member Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy for a roundtable discussion about the impacts of Congressional Republicans’ Big, Ugly Bill on the clean energy economy.
The fourth event was held on June 23rd in Frederick County, MD, where New Dem Rural Broadband Task Force Chair April McClain Delaney (MD-06) hosted Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budinski in Frederick County, Maryland to tour a local broadband construction site and hold a roundtable discussion on rural broadband.
The third event was held on May 22nd in Wilmington, DE, where New Dem Care Economy Task Force Chair Sarah McBride (DE-AL) hosted House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) and Economic Growth & Cost of Living Working Group Chair Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) in her district for a care economy roundtable discussion with medical professionals, advocates, non-profit leaders, labor representatives, and care providers.
The second event was held on May 9th in Metro East, IL, where Vice Chair Nikki Budzinski hosted Environment, Climate, & Clean Energy Working Group Chair Scott Peters (CA-50) and Rep. Wesley Bell (MO-01) for a clean energy roundtable discussion with business owners, industry and union representatives, academic researchers, and utility service providers.
The first event was held on April 23rd in Phoenix, AZ, where New Dem Immigration and Border Security Working Group Members Reps. Greg Stanton (AZ-04) and Lou Correa (CA-46) held an immigration roundtable discussion with industry and union representatives, members of the Arizona business community, and DACA recipients.
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