President Donald Trump’s announcement that he wants tariffs on imported aluminum and steel is causing concerns for some industries.
Brewing companies fear there may be rising prices for aluminum cans. Auto manufacturers are concerned over price hikes in steel.
U-S Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois has a different fear. While he recognizes the harm caused to American industry by foreign steel selling below the cost of production, he doesn’t want to harm the biggest economy in the state.
“I hope we take care to get this job done, to not only make sure that America has a good steel production capacity, but that we don’t trigger a trade war that affects many unsuspecting people,” Durbin said. “For example, we’ve got to make sure we don’t trigger a trade war which drives down the price of soybeans and corn and really hurts the Illinois economy.”
The president’s suggested a tariff of 25 percent on imported steel and 10 percent on imported aluminum. Durbin believes those tariff levels may be too high. The senator made his remarks Friday in Peoria.
GUN CONTROL
In the aftermath of the Florida school shooting, President Donald Trump expressed support for some gun control legislation. He suggested last Wednesday there was room for expanded background checks, a ban on certain assault weapons and taking guns from potentially dangerous people.
A day later, the president tempered his views somewhat as he declared his support for the second amendment. U-S Senator Dick Durbin has not wavered in his view on gun control.
Illinois’ senior Senator says it’s the federal government’s responsibility to tighten certain gun laws. He says that includes, “Universal background checks, no exceptions for gun shows. Let’s make sure we also go after straw purchasers, people who buy for other people and get through the background check. Let’s make sure as well that we have some limitations when it comes to these military assault weapons and particularly these high capacity magazine clips.”
Durbin says implementing gun control on a state-by-state basis would not be effective.