Thread by @burgessev

GOP urging Trump not to impose tariffs on foreign automakers, warning it will cause a massive ripple effect through the economy and potentially cause a recession before the election. Trump might ignore them anyway

politico.com/story/2019/03/…

story with @ABehsudi

@ABehsudi In phone calls and meetings, Republicans push back on Trump's trade policies over and over again. If he moves forward with them, the new auto tariffs could cripple industries in red states down south

Trump "likes tariffs as a threat. I hope he understands that the auto tariffs damage the autoworkers," says Sen. Alexander. "I know he cares a lot about them."

Sen. Scott: "BMW sells about 80,000 vehicles in China. Having those vehicles built in China cannot be good for us"

“To suggest that Volkswagens are a national security threat to the United States is not true and we should not be doing that. It would be very bad for our economy and very bad for our consumers,” says Sen. Toomey

"My worry is that you could have a recession," warns Sen. Paul

“He’s very good about listening to us. I don’t think I’ve persuaded him very much on tariffs so far,” adds Sen. Alexander.

Republicans say new auto tariffs could halt progress on new North American trade deal, a key Trump priority

Senate GOP operating from point of weakness. Trump won't sign bill reining in his trade powers. They are trying persuasion. In Sen. Grassley's case, a zen-like approach

“I don’t believe so,” Grassley said when I asked if Trump will do auto tariffs. "Just kind of a gut feeling.”