New York Democrats blast Trump for market turmoil, as Republicans say his plans are working

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on his global tariff plan sparked mixed reaction on Capitol Hill, with Long Island’s congressional Democrats blasting the president for recent market turmoil while Republicans praised Trump for seeking new trade deals.

A week after unveiling his sweeping tariff plan at a Rose Garden ceremony, Trump announced on social media a three-month suspension of part of the plan on Wednesday, after days of market declines and growing backlash from Wall Street and lawmakers.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate minority leader, said at a news conference after Trump’s announcement that the president was "feeling the heat" from those opposed to his tariff agenda.

"This is chaos. This is government by chaos," Schumer said. "He keeps changing things from day to day. His advisers are fighting among themselves, calling each other names. And you cannot run a country with such chaos."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), appearing alongside Schumer, said Trump’s approach was a "manufactured crisis" that was causing companies to reconsider their expansion plans.

"Businesses will now not invest in new products or expand their workforce, because they have no idea of what is coming next," Gillibrand said.

Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) in an email to Newsday said: "Tariffs are a negotiating tool, and we’ve seen that approach work."

"Over 70 countries have reportedly come to the table to negotiate fairer terms," Garbarino said. "The current pause reflects that — countries that haven’t retaliated are seeing relief, while China is not. I’m continuing to monitor the market closely, but tariffs are not intended to be a long-term measure."

Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Amityville) in an email to Newsday called Trump's pause a "smart, strategic move," saying it put "tougher pressure on China" for "using slave-like labor and stealing our intellectual property."

"In a time of economic uncertainty, the pause, and focus on China’s bad trade practices, has brought clarity and renewed confidence in the fight to make America’s economy work for Americans," LaLota said.

Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove) said he thinks Trump’s pause on the reciprocal tariffs to more than 70 countries, including those in the European Union, was "done by the seat of his pants."

Trump’s pause did not include China, and instead the president raised the tariff on imported Chinese goods to 125% in a further escalation of the trade war between both nations. China had earlier responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing an 84% tariff on American goods.

"The president does not appear to have a plan," Suozzi told Newsday in a phone interview. "All we know is that prices are going up, we are pissing off our allies and the stock market is on fire. There may be legitimate goals to hold China accountable, to bring jobs back to America and to increase manufacturing but there’s no plan. It can’t happen from some crazy, across-the-board tariffs that treat our allies like our adversaries."

Suozzi said in the last few days and weeks his office has heard from countless business owners complaining about their costs and residents worried about 401(k) and college savings accounts.

Rep. Laura Gillen (D-Rockville Centre) in a statement Wednesday afternoon called for a plan to create more stability in the market.

"We need an end to what the Wall Street Journal has called ‘the dumbest trade war in history,’ " Gillen said in a text message to Newsday. "The Administration’s plan seems to change daily. This continued uncertainty has wreaked havoc on our global economy and on my constituents’ personal finances. The president should permanently reverse course on these disastrous tariffs and work with Congress to bring down costs for Americans." 

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has been a major supporter of Trump’s tariff agenda, and on Wednesday backed a procedural move that blocks House members from forcing a vote before Sept. 30 on any measure aimed at repealing the national emergency declarations that Trump has used to justify his tariff executive orders.

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-St. Albans) had planned to use a procedural move this week to force a floor vote on the national emergency declaration Trump used to launch tariffs on Canada in February.

"I think you've got to give him the space," Johnson told reporters on Capitol Hill about Trump’s tariff plans. "It is having the desired effect right now. You see a number of nations going forward and proposing much more free trade agreements with the United States."

By Laura Figueroa Hernandez

laura.figueroa@newsday.com,candice.ferrette@newsday.com@Laura_Figueroa,

Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.