Florida lawmakers are weighing in about President Donald Trump’s recent tariffs on imported goods.
President Donald Trump held a press conference on April 2 when he signed an executive order putting the tariffs in place.
“I will sign a historic executive order instituting reciprocal tariffs on countries throughout the world," Trump said during a 'Liberation Day' event at the White House.
HAPPY LIBERATION DAY, AMERICA! 🇺🇸💰
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 2, 2025
President Donald J. Trump has secured nearly $5,000,000,000,000 in investment and trade commitments from across the globe. pic.twitter.com/JA9Om3ypMq
Trump is putting new tariffs on imported goods from many countries throughout the globe. He said the plan will protect American jobs and boost the economy.
However, House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa), who is on the House Budget Committee this year, believes state residents won’t see the benefits.
She pointed on Monday to concerns that the tariffs could lead to a recession.
“Today we are seeing a global economic meltdown entirely driven by Donald Trump's tariffs. His chaos– at least temporarily–has broken the world’s economy," Driskell said during Monday's Democratic Caucus media availability.
Driskell claims the Trump Administration’s actions will likely impact how Florida’s lawmakers craft the state’s budget.
“Here in Tallahassee, we’re in the process of writing our budget for the next fiscal year and this economic chaos means we cannot plan for our state’s future," said Driskell.
"These failing—and falling— markets in Asia and Europe are not abstract. They hurt us here at home.”
Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, said last week that he expects the impact of the tariffs to play a role in the final budget outcome.
“We're trying to understand all these moving parts that are hovering around the economy," said Albritton. "So, are we contemplating losing revenues or having fiscal challenges going forward?—100% yes.”
The stock market dipped after the tariffs were announced, and economists are projecting they could reduce consumer spending and increase costs if they remain long term. That could impact Florida’s budget by decreasing tax revenue, while increasing costs.
