Rarely do politicians cross the aisle. Now one man has broken that convention.
Because he hailed Trump for winning this victory for America.
Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman conceded on August 1, 2025, that his party misjudged President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, admitting to Fox News Digital that the U.S. trade war is “going well.”
When asked if the Trump administration was winning, Fetterman responded, “Absolutely,” citing comedian Bill Maher’s recent admission on his “Club Random” podcast that tariffs, contrary to expectations, did not tank the economy.
“I’m a huge fan of Bill Maher, and I mean, I think he’s really one of the oracles for my party, and he acknowledged it, it’s like, hey, he thought that the tariffs were going to tank the economy, and then he acknowledged that it didn’t,” Fetterman said.
He noted the success of the U.S.-EU deal and expressed cautious optimism about ongoing talks with China, reflecting a rare bipartisan nod to Trump’s trade approach.
Trump’s Tariff Moves and Trade Agreements
Trump’s trade strategy intensified with a Thursday executive order raising Canada’s tariff from 25% to 35% starting August 1, targeting its role in fentanyl and illicit drug imports, and another order adjusting reciprocal tariff rates to address U.S. trade deficits.
The White House emphasized these actions aim to secure “fair, balanced and reciprocal trade relationships.”
Since April 9, 2025, Trump’s 10% baseline tariff on all countries, with higher rates for those with large trade deficits, has driven new agreements.
The U.S.-EU deal, finalized in July, includes a 15% tariff on EU goods, $750 billion in U.S. energy purchases, and $600 billion in EU investments by 2028.
A similar deal with Japan secures $550 billion in U.S. investments and market access for American exports at a 15% tariff rate, showcasing Trump’s ability to negotiate favorable terms.
Divided Reactions Among Lawmakers
While Fetterman acknowledged the tariffs’ success, other Democrats warned of looming economic fallout.
Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) predicted price increases and industrial disruptions, stating, “Within a few weeks or months, you’ll start seeing significant increases in most things you buy.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) likened tariffs to a “national sales tax,” forecasting rising costs for consumers.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) argued that Trump’s approach signals U.S. unreliability as a trade partner, claiming Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delayed interest rate cuts due to trade “chaos.”
Conversely, Republicans like Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) praised Trump, saying, “It’s exactly the right approach… big wins for America.”
Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) lauded the EU deal’s tariff-free provisions for certain goods, advocating for reciprocal zero percent tariffs as the ideal, stating, “Let the free enterprise system work. May the best product at the best price win.”
