Lindsey Graham: My Voters Will Need To ‘Experience Some Pain’ To Beat China In Trade War

Lindsey Graham: My Voters Will Need To ‘Experience Some Pain’ To Beat China In Trade War

Welp, this is sure to go over well with his voters.

Towards the end of his Sunday morning interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) defended the escalating trade war brought about by the Trump administration’s policies even as it has caused immediate economic damage to his home state.

After host Margaret Brennan pointed out that BMW is the largest exporter of cars in the United States and its biggest plant is in South Carolina, she wanted to know how much of a negative impact the president’s policies are causing in the state. Graham responded that “it is hurting” but that “it will hurt more if we allow China to continue to cheat.”

“I am willing to accept some pain and push back hard against China but we need to get a good outcome,” he continued. “Start with Mexico and Canada, Mr. President. Let’s don’t fight the whole world, let’s get our backyard in a good spot.”

Brennan noted that the tariffs the president is threatening on automobiles are coming from Europe and not China, leading Graham to respond that China has recently placed a 40 percent tariff on BMWs coming from America, which led to this amazing remark:

“It is hurting us in South Carolina. I don’t know how you get China to change if you are not willing to experience some pain. The European markets need to be and opened up but the Europeans are not our enemy, Mexico and Canada are not our enemy. When it comes to trade, China is our enemy.”

National Journal’s Josh Kraushaar had the perfect reaction to Graham’s Sunday morning comments.

Watch the clip above, via CBS News.

Justin Baragona

Justin Baragona is the founder/publisher of Contemptor and a contributor to The Daily Beast. He was previously the Cable News Correspondent for Mediaite and prior to starting Contemptor, he worked on the editorial staff of PoliticusUSA. During that time, he had his work quoted by USA Today and BBC News, among others. Justin began his published career as a political writer for 411Mania. He resides in St. Louis, MO with his wife and pets.

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