April 2025: Tano Tijerina Supported Trump’s Tariffs And Suggested They Had Not Hurt South Texas

April 2025: Tijerina Supported Trump’s Tariffs, Saying “I Do See What The President Is Doing”

April 2025: Laredo Morning Times: Tijerina “Expressed His Support For President Donald Trump’s Trade Policies Including Recent Tariffs On Global Imports.” “At the county level, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina spoke this week about tariffs. He expressed his support for President Donald Trump's trade policies including recent tariffs on global imports, which he described as a step toward addressing trade imbalances and prioritizing American interests.” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

• Laredo Morning Times Headline: “‘Putting Our Nation First’: Webb Co. Leader Tijerina Backs Trump’s Tariff Policy.” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

Tijerina On Trump’s Tariffs: “I Do See What The President Is Doing.” “The Trump administration implemented sweeping tariffs in recent months, targeting China as the primary focus. Tariffs up to 245% were placed on Chinese imports, with exemptions for some tech goods and incremental adjustments. Globally, the administration also imposed a baseline tariff of 10% for most nations. Some criticized the move as disruptive, especially after the tariffs were announced on Liberation Day, which was followed by a stock market crash that ranked as one of the worst trading days this century. Tijerina said that despite these struggles, he supports the policies' aim to recalibrate fairness in trade. ‘Everyone right now is kind of in a shock-wave mode, but I think it’s for the long run,’ Tijerina said. ‘I do see what the president is doing. Look at what’s happening already. All of a sudden, it seems like everybody’s coming to the table. It’s not fair we’re paying ‘x’ amount, and all of a sudden, coming in, we’re paying minus amount. I don’t agree with that.’” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

• Tijerina: “Everyone Right Now Is Kind Of In A Shock-Wave Mode, But I Think It’s For The Long Run.” “Some criticized the move as disruptive, especially after the tariffs were announced on Liberation Day, which was followed by a stock market crash that ranked as one of the worst trading days this century. Tijerina said that despite these struggles, he supports the policies' aim to recalibrate fairness in trade. ‘Everyone right now is kind of in a shock-wave mode, but I think it’s for the long run,’ Tijerina said. ‘I do see what the president is doing. Look at what’s happening already. All of a sudden, it seems like everybody’s coming to the table. It’s not fair we’re paying “x” amount, and all of a sudden, coming in, we’re paying minus amount. I don’t agree with that.’” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

April 2025: Tijerina Seemed To Acknowledge The Pain Of Tariffs, Saying “Sometimes, In Order For Us To Rebuild, We Must Break Down” …

April 2025: In Discussing Tariffs, Tijerina Said, “Sometimes, In Order For Us To Rebuild, We Must Break Down.” “At the county level, Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina spoke this week about tariffs. He expressed his support for President Donald Trump's trade policies including recent tariffs on global imports, which he described as a step toward addressing trade imbalances and prioritizing American interests. Leading the nation's No. 1 inland port of entry, Tijerina views these measures as a significant part of economic and trade policy, though they are not without challenges. ‘Sometimes, in order for us to rebuild, we must break down,’ Tijerina said.” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

• Tijerina Suggested Tariffs May Required Temporary Sacrifices For Long-Term Gains, Saying, “Maybe There Is A Certain Point Where We’re Going To Have To Take Some Medicine To Make This Remedy Better.” “Tijerina described the economic transition brought by these policies as one that may require temporary sacrifices for long-term gains. ‘Maybe there is a certain point where we’re going to have to take some medicine to make this remedy better,’ Tijerina said. ‘The president has mentioned that, and I think it’s

just a matter of time. I see what he’s doing, and I understand what he’s doing.’” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

…Despite Suggesting Tariffs Had Not Yet Hurt South Texas Businesses

April 2025: Tijerina Said Local Businesses Had Not Reached Out To Him With Concerns About The New Tariffs. “In Webb County, a hub for international trade with significant ties to Mexico and other regions, Tijerina said local businesses have not reached out to him with concerns about the new tariffs. He suggested that many might be starting to see the broader strategy.” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]

• Tijerina On Trump’s Tariffs: “If Things Don’t Get Better, It’s Going To Start Hurting Some Pockets.” “‘The president is being the president, doing what he can do, and I think there’s going to be a time here before long when some great stuff comes out of it,’ Tijerina said. ‘I really do feel confident in the long term. We’re confident about that.’ For Webb County, a central player in the nation's trade, the evolving tariff landscape carries significant implications. Tijerina's perspective reflects cautious optimism and a belief that short-term economic challenges could pave the way for a more balanced and equitable trade environment. ‘There has to be some kind of understanding and sensitivity on this because eventually, if things don’t get better, it’s going to start hurting some pockets,’ Tijerina said. ‘But in the long run, if the tariff situation gets stronger and better, it will be a very great opportunity to move forward.’” [Laredo Morning Times, 4/20/25]