Congresswoman Norma Torres Blasts Trump’s Tariffs for Harming California Families and Businesses
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Norma Torres today condemned President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs, warning that they represent an existential threat to working families and businesses in California’s 35th Congressional District.
“Donald Trump’s tariffs are a direct tax on working families, and we’re already paying the price. This is an economic nightmare that will force businesses to slash costs, which means layoffs, higher prices, and an impending recession,” said Congresswoman Torres. “The residents of my district—many of whom are already scraping by—cannot afford the chaos Trump is creating.”
California’s Inland Empire, a key economic engine for the state, relies heavily on trade and manufacturing industries such as agriculture, logistics, and construction. These sectors will be obliterated by Trump’s tariffs. Businesses that depend on imported goods will face immediate cost hikes that could bankrupt them, resulting in widespread job losses and economic collapse. Union jobs, the lifeblood of working-class families, will be first on the chopping block as businesses struggle to survive.
“He’s not just hurting businesses—he’s jeopardizing the futures of millions of seniors,” Torres continued. “Just look at the stock market today—retirement accounts are hemorrhaging, and for millions of Americans, their life savings are disappearing. These are people who’ve worked their entire lives, only to be told by Trump that they’ll never retire with dignity. For seniors on fixed incomes, like Social Security, the damage is immediate and irreversible. These price hikes will crush them—forcing them to choose between food, medicine, or basic necessities. And for those with their savings tied up in 401(k)s, retirement is slipping farther out of reach. This is financial ruin for the most vulnerable among us. This is economic malpractice, and I will fight it with everything I’ve got!”
The ripple effect of Trump’s tariffs will be catastrophic. As people lose their retirement savings, they will cut back on spending, throwing local economies into a tailspin. Small businesses will close, and demand for goods and services will plummet. This isn’t just a downturn—it’s an economic meltdown. If Trump’s tariffs are allowed to stand, the damage will devastate California’s economy for years to come, increase inflation, and raise the cost of housing. This will hit hardest in the communities that can least afford it.
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