McConnell says Trump should ‘quit picking fights with our allies’ over tariffs

Published April 15, 2025 5:57pm ET



Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) took his latest swipe Tuesday at President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, likening his trade war to “picking fights” with allies including Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

“You have a struggle for influence, both on the commercial side and on the national security side, between authoritarian regimes and democratic regimes,” McConnell, the former longtime Senate GOP leader, told Kentucky radio host Terry Meiners, naming China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, and “Iran’s proxies” as the authoritarians.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.