
Former New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu, a Republican, expressed concerns about the potential economic risks tied to President Trump’s aggressive tariff tactics. Speaking on NewsNation’s “Elizabeth Vargas Reports”, Sununu acknowledged that, while Trump’s strategy of using tariffs as leverage has often led to positive outcomes for America, at some point, one nation may push back hard enough to test the President’s resolve — and that could have serious consequences for the U.S. economy.
Trump raised eyebrows recently when he announced tariffs and visa restrictions against Colombia after the South American country initially refused to accept flights carrying deported individuals. Ultimately, Colombia relented and agreed to the deportations, and Trump delayed the tariff measures. However, this raised questions about whether other nations could eventually push back against the U.S. in a similar fashion.
In the interview, Sununu was asked whether there was a risk that some of the countries Trump has threatened with tariffs—such as China, Russia, Denmark, and even Mexico—might eventually “call Trump’s bluff,” considering that tariffs can have a negative impact on the U.S. economy as well. Sununu agreed, saying, “Someone is going to call his bluff at some point. It’s not a matter of if, but when.”
He added that different countries present different challenges. For example, Denmark, with its control over Greenland, could opt not to sell resources to the U.S., making a tariff threat less effective. Meanwhile, in cases like Panama, the true issue often revolves around China’s influence and its strategic control over vital global assets. In short, while Trump’s tariff tactics have been effective in the past, Sununu cautioned that America could face a tipping point where the economic fallout becomes too costly.
For Republicans, the takeaway is clear: While bold moves to safeguard American interests on the world stage can be effective, the risks of economic blowback are real and must be carefully managed.