WESTWOOD, N.J. — In a campaign-season stop focused on economic policy, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) visited Westwood on March 31 to announce new legislation opposing President Trump’s warned reciprocal tariffs.
“In just a few days, on April 3, President Trump’s proposed sweeping tariffs will go into effect — imposing, in effect, a huge new tax, of at least $2,000 a year, on Jersey families and businesses,” Gottheimer said. “Data shows that President Trump’s tariffs will mark the largest tax hike on families in a generation.”
The announcement took place outside 216 Westwood Ave., in the heart of the borough’s central business district. Gottheimer was joined by Westwood Councilwoman Erin Collins; Raymond Cantor, deputy chief of government affairs for the New Jersey Business and Industry Association; and Judith Fleischer of the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program. Together, they addressed the projected impact of the tariffs on the cost of goods including vehicles, housing materials, groceries, and fuel—particularly items imported from U.S. allies and trading partners.
Gottheimer, a declared Democratic candidate for governor, framed the tariffs as economically harmful and procedurally unaccountable. He said his legislation aims to restore congressional oversight and ensure that future trade actions are transparent and justified.
“When it comes to tariffs, we need a targeted approach that doesn’t put the bullseye on our own economy,” he said. “I don’t get the strategy. It’s one thing to target our adversaries like Iran and China, but it’s another to go after our allies and key trading partners—who we rely on for goods that we don’t manufacture or grow here right now.”
He continued, “In the typical Trump fashion, there’s no plan — it’s all chaos. No attempt to do what all presidents have done: make the pitch to the American people and Congress, which is in charge of trade, according to the Constitution.”
The congressman said his proposals—the Reclaiming Congressional Trade Authority Act and the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act—would require the President to submit a clear strategy to Congress before imposing tariffs for emergency purposes and would clarify that tariffs cannot be levied unilaterally under vague national security claims.
“Congress has the constitutional authority to regulate foreign trade,” he said. “So, if the president wants to impose sweeping tariffs that will impact millions of hardworking families and small businesses, he better have a good justification for doing it.”
Gottheimer also launched a public comment portal at gottheimer.house.gov/tariffs, inviting New Jersey residents and business owners to share how the tariffs are affecting them.
“I will take these comments and send them to the White House and U.S. Trade Representative — and if they’re smart, they will listen,” he said.
According to Reuters, President Trump said his forthcoming reciprocal tariffs will apply to all nations, not just those with the largest trade imbalances. Speaking aboard Air Force One, he said, “You’d start with all countries.” The plan, which he has dubbed “Liberation Day,” comes amid concerns from economists and markets about inflation and recession risks.
Citing warnings from the Federal Reserve, Goldman Sachs, and the Bipartisan Tax Foundation, Gottheimer said the tariffs are expected to contribute to slower economic growth, inflation, and job losses. He noted that Canada has already announced 25% reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods, putting at risk the $8.4 billion in exports New Jersey sends north annually—more than to its next three foreign markets combined.
While Gottheimer’s remarks were largely uninterrupted except by the sounds of traffic, one passerby on the busy avenue called out “Go Trump!” as he spoke.
In addition to the press conference, Gottheimer held private conversations with local families and small business owners about the potential effects of the tariffs on their costs and operations.
He concluded with a familiar refrain from his broader campaign platform:
“We need to defend our Jersey Values and get costs and taxes down to support our families and businesses.”
