Tillis slams 'blunt force' tariffs, condemns Miller and Noem for 'not taking care' of Trump's legacy
MUNICH, GERMANY: Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) delivered pointed criticism of the administration’s trade strategy and advisory team during an interview on 'Face the Nation' from the Munich Security Conference on Sunday, February 15.
Tillis warned that a “blunt force” approach to tariffs and what he described as insufficient long-term planning inside the White House could hurt Republicans heading into November’s elections.
While affirming that holding trade partners accountable was necessary, Tillis argued that the administration’s execution was generating economic “froth” and uncertainty for US businesses.
Thom Tillis says measured strategy remains key for trade
Tillis took direct aim at the sweeping use of tariffs, describing the reliance on “blunt force” tactics as counterproductive. He singled out a 50% tariff on Brazil as “irrational,” noting that the United States currently had a trade surplus with the country.
The senator argued that trade enforcement required precision rather than blanket measures that risked destabilizing commercial relationships.
On Canada and Mexico, Tillis called for renewed negotiations to modernize the USMCA instead of imposing broad tariffs. While acknowledging that tariffs could serve as leverage, he cautioned against using them in ways that create systemic instability.
“The US, if anything else, is really good when we're at our best on certainty,” Tillis said, urging a more measured strategy that protected American interests without injecting volatility into global markets.
Thom Tillis claims the president's legacy is in danger
Tillis also raised concerns about members of the president’s inner circle, naming advisers Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem. He suggested some advisers were not adequately “looking around corners” or safeguarding the president’s long-term legacy.
“I think the president has some advisers around him… these are people that don't look around corners and are not taking care of this president's legacy, and I intend to,” Tillis told host Ed O’Keefe.
The comments came as Republicans braced for a challenging midterm cycle. Tillis acknowledged he had “questions” about the party’s ability to maintain control of the House, citing redistricting tensions and the historical headwinds facing the president’s party in midterm elections.
Thom Tillis rejects the 'loyalty fealty test'
When pressed on whether Republicans should distance themselves from controversial tariff decisions, Tillis rejected what he called a “loyalty or fealty test.” He stressed that disagreement over tactics should not be equated with disloyalty.
According to Tillis, the objective of confronting chronic trade imbalances was valid, but the method mattered. He maintained that aggressive or poorly calibrated actions risked alienating businesses and voters alike.
He warned that continued economic “froth and uncertainty” could translate into political consequences if the party failed to recalibrate its approach before November.
Thom Tillis reaffirms commitment to the NATO alliance
Beyond trade, Tillis reaffirmed support for NATO, describing it as the “most important alliance in the history of mankind.”
He dismissed claims that the United States was abandoning the partnership but acknowledged the administration’s argument that European allies had underinvested in defense by an estimated $2 trillion over the past two decades.
Tillis emphasized that while the president was pressing allies to increase contributions and assume greater responsibility, Congress remained firmly committed to the alliance.
He characterized current tensions as an “honest discussion with family members” aimed at strengthening, not dissolving, the transatlantic partnership.
