GOP senator defends China tariffs: Sacrifice by Americans ‘minimal’ compared to soldiers

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) defended the imposition of tariffs on China as the two countries seek to negotiate a trade deal, saying the sacrifice of Americans impacted by the tariffs is “minimal” compared to those made by soldiers overseas.

Appearing on “CBS This Morning” Monday, Cotton detailed how tariffs will impact his home state of Arkansas and its farmers.

{mosads}”There will be some sacrifices on the part of Americans, I grant you that, but I also would say that sacrifice is pretty minimal compared to the sacrifices that our soldiers make overseas, that our fallen heroes who are laid to rest in Arlington make,” Cotton said.

CBS host Gayle King interrupted Cotton, saying, “You can’t compare those two sacrifices.”

“There will be some sacrifice on the part of Americans, I grant you that. But also that sacrifice is pretty minimal compared to the sacrifices that our soldiers make overseas that are fallen heroes or laid to rest,” @SenTomCotton on trade war with China pic.twitter.com/lqlEZtaeBs

— CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) May 13, 2019

Cotton said farmers in Arkansas tell him they are willing to “bear some of those sacrifices” in the short term to ensure long-term prosperity.

The conversation was sparked when CBS host Norah O’Donnell first asked Cotton about the tariffs, citing a University of Arkansas study that found retaliatory tariffs by China, which were announced Monday, could end up hurting farmers in Arkansas.

“These tariffs are going to end up hurting both Chinese and some Americans, I’ll grant you that,” Cotton replied. “I think they will ultimately hurt the Chinese more than they will Americans in part because Chinese companies and their government have been cheating the United States for so long.”

Cotton echoed the sentiments of President Trump, adding that China will “ultimately be paying a price” for the tariffs.

Trump asserted Monday morning in a series of tweets that China will bear the brunt of the new tariffs, though his top economic adviser, Larry Kudlow, acknowledged that both the U.S. and China will be impacted by the ongoing tariff fight.

China on Monday announced an increase in tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods in response to the U.S. tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods that went into effect Friday.