Republican Representative Derrick Van Orden from Wisconsin expressed his readiness to accept higher prices for guacamole as part of President-elect Trump’s tariff strategy if it helps eliminate fentanyl from the country. In an interview with CNN’s Boris Sanchez, he was questioned about how the GOP intends to execute the tariff plan alongside its mass deportation agenda without impacting the food supply, given that many migrants are employed in agriculture.
Van Orden attributed inflation to what he described as reckless spending by the Biden administration, particularly pointing to the Inflation Reduction Act as a key factor. He emphasized that he would be willing to pay more for guacamole if it meant preventing fentanyl from entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, prioritizing the health and safety of families over the cost of food.
GOP representative argues health and safety should outweigh food costs in the fight against fentanyl
During his campaign, Trump vowed to introduce a comprehensive tariff plan, though he often lacked specific details. Recently, he announced plans to enforce new tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China through an executive order on his first day back in office, proposing a 25 percent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico and a 10 percent tariff on many Chinese imports.
This approach has sparked debate among economists, with many arguing that increasing tariffs may not effectively strengthen the American workforce, particularly in manufacturing. Even labor unions, traditionally opposed to free trade agreements, have expressed skepticism regarding the benefits of such tariffs.
When asked about the potential impact on food production from Trump’s deportation strategy, Van Orden reassured that he was confident in America’s ability to produce sufficient food with those who are legally present in the country. He stated, “I’m not concerned that we’re going to not be able to produce enough food here in the United States,” noting the need for a functional E-Verify system to ensure that only legal workers contribute to agricultural production.
