A US state governor from the Democratic Party says the current administration's "erratic" tariff policy is not conducive to economic stability or growth.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore spoke to NHK in an interview on Thursday ahead of his visit to Japan. He is seen as one of the next-generation leaders of the Democratic Party.
Moore said he is disappointed by the US tariff policy. He said that tariffs have served as a geopolitical tool, but they're now "being used as an ideology," which they should not be.
Regarding the impact of Trump's tariffs on Maryland's economy, the governor said prices of everything are rising, and people are paying more for everyday items like electronics, food and clothes.
He said the tariffs are directly affecting people in the state, including farmers who have owned family farms for over a century and port workers in Baltimore.
Moore also said Japanese companies operating in Maryland, such as Hitachi and Terumo, are facing uncertainty and simply trying to understand what the future portends for them.
The governor stated that governments, like private sector executives, are looking for stability and predictability. He warned that erratic behavior generally does not yield the long-term results being sought.