Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., on Sunday offered rare criticism of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., saying his colleague and friend’s position on trade may not align with that of the majority of Americans in light of President Trump’s tough rhetoric on tariffs at the G-7 summit.
“I’m not so sure John’s right about where America is on trade,” Graham said during an interview on ABC’s “This Week.”
Graham added Trump identified an anti-trade movement within the Republican Party, which helped him secure the GOP nomination in 2016 and eventually clinch the White House.
“I’m not so sure a majority of Americans believe that globalization and free trade is in our interests. I believe that. John McCain believes it. But the reason we’re having these problems here at home, Brexit, Italy, there’s a movement all over the world to look inward, not outward, and I think it’s a mistake,” he continued.
.@LindseyGrahamSC says he’s “not so sure” @SenJohnMcCain is right that a majority of Americans support free trade, globalization: “There’s a movement all over the world to look inward, not outward, and I think it’s a mistake.” pic.twitter.com/nAzbDZmWC0
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) June 10, 2018
McCain lashed out at Trump on Twitter after the president instructed U.S. officials not to affirm the communique signed by other G-7 members in Canada.
“To our allies: bipartisan majorities of Americans remain pro-free trade, pro-globalization & supportive of alliances based on 70 years of shared values. Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn’t,” McCain tweeted.
To our allies: bipartisan majorities of Americans remain pro-free trade, pro-globalization & supportive of alliances based on 70 years of shared values. Americans stand with you, even if our president doesn’t.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) June 10, 2018
Trump on Saturday congratulated the world leaders gathered at the summit for managing to take advantage of the U.S. on trade in the past, vowing that “those days are over.”
