President Donald Trump’s tariffs on foreign cars are sparking debate, but Senator Bernie Moreno says they’re the key to reviving American manufacturing. The Ohio Republican, a former car dealer turned lawmaker, argues that short-term pain from higher prices will lead to long-term gains for workers and national security.
Moreno claims tariffs will force automakers to bring jobs back from Mexico and Canada. He points out that 4 million cars sold here are made abroad—a trend he vows to reverse. “Those cars should be made in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana,” he says. The United Auto Workers union backs this push, seeing it as a win for blue-collar jobs.
The senator’s Transportation Freedom Act aims to slash Biden-era regulations he calls “unrealistic.” The bill would kill California’s electric vehicle mandates and EPA rules that drive up car prices. Moreno says it’ll save families money while letting Americans choose gas-powered cars over expensive EVs. “Why should bureaucrats decide what you drive?” he asks.
Critics warn tariffs could disrupt production, but Moreno brushes them off. He says experts predicting chaos are “funded by lobbyists” with agendas. Instead, he highlights companies like Cleveland Cliffs, which now offers workers $1,000 bonuses to buy American-made cars. He calls this proof that tariffs will spark a manufacturing “renaissance.”
Moreno also ties tariffs to border security, blaming Mexico for failing to stop fentanyl trafficking. “If they need help wiping out drug cartels, we’ll give it,” he says. For him, trade policy isn’t just about cars—it’s about saving lives and stopping China’s growing influence.
The Transportation Freedom Act rewards companies that hire U.S. workers with big tax breaks. It blocks subsidies for electric vehicles, which Moreno calls a waste of taxpayer money. “EVs sit unsold on lots while China profits,” he argues. His plan prioritizes hybrids and gas engines, aligning with Toyota’s approach.
Some CEOs want more time to adjust, but Moreno isn’t budging. “President Trump’s leadership is non-negotiable,” he says. He’s confident automakers will expand U.S. factories once “rules of the road” are clear. The goal? Make America the world’s auto powerhouse again.
Democrats call his ideas reckless, but Moreno fires back: “Biden’s mandates crushed the middle class.” With Trump’s support, he’s betting on tariffs to rebuild industrial might—and secure Ohio’s place in a new golden age of manufacturing.
