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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Senate President Stuart Adams acknowledged Monday that President Donald Trump's tariffs on China and paused duties on Mexico and Canada could have an impact on the state's economy. Still, he said he supports the president's efforts aimed at reducing the flow of fentanyl into the country.
The Republican said World Trade Center Utah is already working through understanding the potential economic impacts to the state but told reporters, "I think it'll have an impact, and we'll see what happens." Asked if he supports the tariffs, Adams said, "I do."
"Let me tell you why," he added, speaking of his 16 grandchildren and warning of the harm that fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, can have. "I don't know where fentanyl's coming from, but it's coming in across the border. And we've got to stop it, and it's time we stopped it."
Adams touted the state's strong economy but said, "We don't have much of a quality of life if we don't have kids who are functional, and I support 1,000% stopping fentanyl. Whatever we have to do to stop it, I'm all in."
"We have got a drug problem. We either can fix it or not," he added. "We need everybody's help. Hopefully these businesses that are affected will get on board and say we're not going to allow drugs into America."
Adams said he has not heard specifically which sectors in Utah might bear the brunt of Trump's tariffs but said he would be in touch with the World Trade Center Utah to better understand the impacts.
"It'll be challenging to see what happens," he said.
Trump initially hit Mexico, Canada and China with broad tariffs over the weekend but announced Monday that the tariffs on Mexico would be paused for a month after Mexico agreed to send 10,000 National Guard members to the U.S.-Mexico border. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday afternoon said the tariffs on his country would be paused for 30 days following a phone call with Trump.
But there is uncertainty – and criticism – about what will happen as a result of the tariffs. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce blasted them, saying they will not solve border and drug issues but will instead "only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains."
Further, the Wall Street Journal editorial board called the move "the dumbest trade war in history" and said it "makes no sense."
Asked why Canada – which accounts for almost none of the fentanyl seized at the border – should also be included in the tariffs, Adams said he didn't have all the details.
"There must be some reason, and I think that, at least from what I understand, there's probably a good reason to do it," he said. "I don't have that detail."
Senate Majority Whip Chris Wilson, R-Logan, acknowledged he is "concerned" about the tariffs. Wilson owns an auto dealership in Cache County and told reporters he gets a lot of auto parts from Canada.
But Wilson said he still stands behind the president's move.
"I think that he needs to make this stand, and we'll see what happens," Wilson said. "But I support him, and I think it will work it out, and hopefully the manufacturers have some parts on day supply that won't interrupt manufacturing."
"I think we absolutely should crack down," added Senate Majority Assistant Whip Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, of the tariffs and the president's stance against fentanyl. "Tens of thousands of Americans have been impacted every year. I think it's long overdue."
Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, said she opposes Trump's tariffs while acknowledging concerns about drugs coming into the United States.
"I think this is not the way to go, and it's going to hurt the working class," Escamilla said. "Fentanyl is coming, and it's creating an issue, and we need to do everything to stop it, but it's not by hurting the economy that it's going to stop."
Escamilla added that the country is already struggling with a housing crisis.
"Now we're talking about people's ability to actually access food," she said.
Publicly silent on the issue, so far, is Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. A spokesperson did not provide a comment Monday from the governor and instead referred KSL to the World Trade Center Utah.
World Trade Center Utah issued a statement calling Utah "globally-minded," and saying it was closely watching the issue unfold and was ready to help businesses adapt to the changing trade environment.
"Right now, we're seeing turbulence — ongoing negotiations and changes between the federal government and key trade partners like Canada, Mexico, and China," World Trade Center Utah President and CEO Jonathan Freedman said. "As businesses face global economic headwinds, we have the resources and network to help them adapt. Our team is closely monitoring affected industries and regions, working with companies to develop contingency plans, optimize supply chains, explore new markets, and access funding. We're committed to helping Utah businesses stay resilient and competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape."
