WASHINGTON, D.C. – Advancing American Freedom Founder Vice President Mike Pence penned an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal this week arguing that, now more than ever, America needs the ideas and policies that made the first Trump administration a success.
Vice President Pence writes that adherence to the time-honored principles that created prosperity during the president’s first term is the best way to build something lasting for America’s future:
“President Trump deserves credit for an energetic and effective start. His instincts on security, strength and sovereignty are as sharp as ever. But if we want to see this nation become truly great again, we can’t exchange time-tested conservative principles for populist platitudes. We need to stand with our allies and stand up to our enemies. We need to cut taxes and tariffs, keep our military strong and well-funded, and lead on the world stage.”
He also cautions against a counterproductive tariff policy, instead urging the renewal of the historic Trump tax cuts:
“Mr. Trump’s proposed tariffs would be the largest peacetime tax hike in American history, harming consumers and driving inflation. Broad-based tariffs may scratch a populist itch, but protectionist economics are no substitute for principled conservatism. The Trump administration can still get the economy back on track through free trade with free nations, even as the U.S. retains targeted tariffs on adversaries such as China. Instead of punishing free nations, we should rally them—uniting the democratic world in trade agreements that isolate China, not Europe and our Pacific allies.”
“Extending all the Trump-Pence tax cuts must also be an immediate priority. Failure to do so would amount to the largest middle-class tax hike in modern history, costing millions of American jobs. Congress should also resist populist calls to raise the top rate, a move that would put an enormous burden on small-business owners, including farmers and manufacturers.”
Advancing American Freedom is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing and advancing conservative policy solutions and principles that improve the lives of all Americans. For media requests, please reach out to press@advancingamericanfreedom.com.
