DENVER - Today, Governor Polis reiterated his call for President Trump to leave his failed tariff-tax plan behind and stop raising taxes and costs for Americans on everyday items like clothes and food. This comes after President Trump once again waffled on his own deadline for tariffs to go into effect, extending the tariff deadline for Mexico by 90 days, while also increasing taxes on imports and increasing and changing tariffs of other countries again, which will go into effect next week. This includes an increase of 10% tariffs on Canada, totalling a 35% tariff.
“Once again, President Trump is playing chicken with America’s economy, and the American people are the ones suffering. This means higher costs on food, clothing, electronics and so much more. Essentially, placing a tax on Americans and everyday goods hurts our economy and creates uncertainty that is devastating investments and job growth in our country,” said Governor Jared Polis.
Earlier this month, Gov. Polis signed an Executive Order to combat President Trump’s harmful and reckless tariff policy that is increasing costs and rising uncertainty for families and many key Colorado Industries like aerospace manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. The Executive Order directs the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) to create the Colorado Tariff Burden Reduction Task Force to help Colorado agencies to develop strategies to reduce the impacts of US Tariff Policy and combat tariff uncertainty across different sectors of Colorado’s economy.
In June, the Colorado Office of State Planning and Budget (OSPB) economic forecast projected tariff taxes to continue to hurt the economy, impact job growth, cause uncertainty for businesses, and increase the likelihood of a recession. Reports also show tariffs are leading to an increase in trade crime.
This year, Gov. Polis hosted Colorado-Mexico Friendship Day alongside Mexican Consul General Pavel Meléndez Cruz and Colorado-Canada Friendship Day in March alongside Sylvain Fabi, Consul General of Canada in Denver.
Colorado is 5th in the nation for beef exports. Beef is among Colorado’s largest exports and is a top driver of Colorado’s agricultural economy. In 2024, the U.S. exported a total of $10.45 billion in beef and beef products around the world. Colorado’s top export countries for beef are Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Japan, China, all countries now facing Trump’s on-again off-again tariffs. Colorado’s other largest agricultural commodities, including dairy, wheat, and corn, all rely on export markets to do business.
###