Former VP Pence warns Trump's tariffs could lead to US shortages
WASHINGTON: Former US Vice President Mike Pence on Monday criticised the Trump administration's policy on tariffs, stating that potential shortages could lead Americans to "demand a different approach" from the White House.
In a primetime interview with CNN, Pence discussed a range of topics and criticised his former boss for pardoning nearly all the rioters who had been prosecuted for storming the US Capitol on 6 January 2021.
In his second term, Donald Trump has imposed wide-ranging tariffs on almost all US trading partners, claiming that other countries adopt "unfair" practices and that Washington must achieve trade balance with every country.
Pence served as Vice President to Trump in his first term but notably broke with the Republican billionaire over Trump's claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
Pence expressed "concerns" that Trump's tariff policies amounted to "essentially new industrial policy that will result in inflation, that will harm consumers, and that will ultimately harm the American economy."
The former Vice President also appeared to disagree with Trump on the Russia-Ukraine war, saying that Russian President Vladimir Putin "only understands power."
"If the last three years teach us anything, it's that Vladimir Putin doesn't want peace; he wants Ukraine," Pence said.
Trump's administration has led efforts to secure a ceasefire in the war, with officials often appearing to shift US positions to be more aligned with Moscow’s stance on the conflict.
However, Trump has expressed growing impatience with Putin over stalled negotiations, with officials suggesting that Washington may walk away from the process if no tangible results are achieved soon.
On the pardons for Capitol rioters who stormed the seat of US legislative power in an attempt to halt the certification of the election result that saw Trump lose to Joe Biden, Pence voiced disappointment.
"I was deeply disappointed to see President Trump pardon people that engaged in violence against law enforcement officers that day," Pence said.
"The President has every right under the Constitution to grant pardons, but in that moment, I thought it sent the wrong message."
Trump's supporters viewed Pence’s participation in certifying Biden's victory as a betrayal, and chants of "Hang Mike Pence!" became common at Republican rallies.
Nevertheless, Pence said he was still "proud of the record of the Trump-Pence administration," adding, "We never had a cross word between us until those fateful days at the end."
By RSS/AFP
