Sen. Durbin says, 'Tariff is another word for national sales tax'

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — The economic fallout from tariffs imposed by President Trump continued throughout the day Thursday as businesses and consumers try to determine what increased costs will do to their budgets.

“There’s another phrase for tariff, national sales tax,” Sen. Dick Durbin, (D-Illinois), told WAND News. “It means inflation and it means the threat of recession. It’s a serious mistake by the President.”

Patrick Hoban is with the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council. He just returned from a trade mission to Mexico with Governor Pritzker. He said companies in McLean County are waiting to see what the impact of tariffs will be on their business. Two companies, electric vehicle maker Rivian and Italian chocolate manufacturer Ferrero, depend on imports to make their products.

Hoban said during every session of the trade mission on Mexico the topic of tariffs would come up.