PIP seeks probe into impact of Trump’s tariffs

By The Star Staff

The Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) delegation in the island Legislature proposed, through legislation filed over the weekend, to investigate the impact that the imposition of tariffs will have on Puerto Rico as a direct result of executive orders issued by the administration of President Donald Trump.

House Resolution 259 and its Senate counterpart, Resolution 148, were introduced Saturday.

“The increase in tariffs will translate into higher prices for consumers, private sector companies, third-sector entities, central government agencies, public corporations, and municipalities,” PIP Rep. Denis Márquez Lebrón said. “In the context of Puerto Rico, tariffs have a deeper impact due to our colonial status. On an island where 80% of what we consume is imported, the economic and social impact falls on those least able to bear it: the working class, worsening inequality and precariousness for those already living on the edge.”

Sen. María de Lourdes Santiago added that “[i]t is important that central government agencies that work directly or indirectly with the country’s imports, including food and other daily consumer goods, provide accurate technical information on the potential consequences of this tariff policy.”

“It is also crucial to receive advice and analysis from international economic experts and other professionals who can guide the Puerto Rican government on the measures that can be taken in our context,” she said. “We cannot minimize the impact of the measures imposed by Trump on consumers, especially in a country with such a critical fiscal situation and with our alarming poverty levels. In the tariff war, the main victim is the people.”

PIP Reps. Adriana Gutiérrez Colón and Nelie Lebrón Robles joined as authors of House Resolution 259, while Sen. Adrián González Costa joined as author of Senate Resolution 148.

The tariffs enacted by the president are expected to have both positive and negative effects.

Critics argue that the tariffs have led to higher prices for imported goods, placing a strain on businesses and consumers in Puerto Rico, an island that relies heavily on imports. That in turn has contributed to inflation, making it increasingly difficult for people to afford basic necessities.

The trade tensions arising from the tariffs may disrupt supply chains, negatively affecting the availability and cost of goods. The situation is particularly challenging for Puerto Rico’s manufacturing sector, which depends on imported raw materials and components.

Additionally, some of Puerto Rico’s agricultural exports, such as coffee and rum, have been impacted by retaliatory tariffs imposed by other countries.

While the tariffs have created difficulties for Puerto Rico, they may also offer opportunities for the island. As businesses seek to relocate to avoid tariffs, Puerto Rico could attract new investments and create jobs by positioning itself as an appealing destination for those companies.