Former Vice President Mike Pence criticized President Donald Trump’s across-the-board tariffs on Monday, May 5, warning that Americans could soon face significant economic consequences.
In an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Pence argued that a looming “price shock” to the economy and potential shortages will lead Americans to demand the White House change course on trade policy.
Pence specifically rebuffed Trump’s recent comments suggesting American children might have to make do with fewer toys due to tariff impacts. The former vice president told Collins that keeping toys affordable for children is an important aspect of American life.
“I have two grown daughters. I have three small granddaughters. And look, keeping dolls affordable, keeping our kids’ toys affordable, that really is part of the American dream,” Pence said.
The CNN interview took place at the JFK Presidential Library in Boston, where Pence had just received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award for his actions on January 6, 2021. The award recognized his decision to resist pressure from Trump to use his (Pence’s) constitutional role to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
While Pence and Trump maintained what the former vice president described as a “great working relationship” during their administration, Pence now sees several of Trump’s current policies as sharp breaks from what he considered their shared successes.
Addressing Trump’s tariff approach, Pence acknowledged that the two men have deep philosophical differences on trade. He noted that while the Trump-Pence administration successfully used targeted tariffs against China, the current policy casts too wide a net.
Pence expressed concerns that the president’s push for broad-based tariffs on both allies and adversaries alike might result in policies that fail to specifically address nations that have been exploiting the country’s trade relationships. He added that the policies are likely to cause inflation, which will hurt consumers and, in the end, damage the American economy.
The former vice president said his view has always been “free trade with free nations.” He believes the United States should engage with trading partners across the free world to lower trade barriers while taking a tougher approach with authoritarian regimes.
Pence also expressed serious concerns about what he described as the administration’s “wavering support for Ukraine” in its war with Russia. He directly challenged Trump’s recent statement that he takes Russian President Vladimir Putin at his word about wanting peace.
Pence emphasized that Putin only understands strength, telling CNN that if the last three years have taught anything, it’s that the Russian leader doesn’t want peace—he wants Ukraine. The former vice president pointed to Russia’s delays and excuses regarding the ceasefire agreement Ukraine has agreed to as evidence.
Pence expressed that the situation in Ukraine held deeper significance for him, emphasizing his belief that if Vladimir Putin were to seize control of Ukraine, it would only be a matter of time before Putin crossed a border that would compel American troops to confront him directly.
Pence did praise some aspects of the current administration, including noting that a recent deal allowing the US to gain access to Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for establishing an investment fund “sends a deafening message to Moscow that America and Ukraine are here to stay.”
The former vice president also criticized Trump’s pardons of January 6 rioters, saying he was “deeply disappointed” to see Trump pardon individuals who engaged in violence against law enforcement officers that day. Pence acknowledged the president’s constitutional right to grant pardons but said the action “sent the wrong message.”
Another area where Pence broke with Trump is the appointment of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services. Pence’s concerns initially stemmed from Kennedy’s support for abortion rights, which he considers unacceptable for a Republican administration.
Pence also expressed concern about Kennedy’s history of casting doubt on vaccine safety, especially amid the ongoing measles outbreak centered in West Texas. He worries about having a secretary at HHS who has a lifetime career of undermining public confidence in vaccines.
Pence praised efforts to crack down on undocumented migrants entering the country. He expressed confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi and border czar Tom Homan, whom he called a “great lawman.”
When asked about his own future plans, Pence indicated he intends to remain a voice for conservative values, partly so Trump might hear arguments that those in his White House aren’t making.
