President Donald Trump has been one of the most vocal critics of the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare) since it's inception. He's frequently decried the bill as too expensive and an assault on the American taxpayer.
Now the National Taxpayers Union Foundation has something to say about that. The Conservative group recently released a chart detailing that Trump's recent tariffs against China will end up being a more expensive to taxpayers than the Affordable Care Act by four times as much.
Oh, boy Trump tariffs cost more that Obama care costs https://t.co/iV7u3YdMbA— Lonnie Hicks (@Lonnie Hicks) 1537557817.0
The NTUF stated:
President Trump recently announced plans to impose a 10 percent tax on $200 billion of imports from China effective September 24, escalating to 25 percent effective January 1, 2019. When added to tariffs that have already been implemented, total trade taxes imposed on American consumers and businesses via unilateral executive action exceed all the taxes included in President Obama’s Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Unlike the Affordable Care Act, Trump's tariffs were implemented through executive order, as the NTUF points out in criticizing the president. Trump's tariffs are receiving more and more criticism throughout the nation as establishments warn of upticks in pricing and higher taxes seem inevitable.
@ChadBown That’s just what those Midwest working class voters were demanding. Higher taxes!— Tom B (@Tom B) 1537496455.0
Trump is about to be the biggest tax hiker in modern times. Do the math. Trump's tariffs are more costly than Obam… https://t.co/qhJqmfC7yw— David Biddle (@David Biddle) 1537403047.0
Tariffs *are* taxes, and Trump's taxes will punish consumers #Trumponomics https://t.co/z6F15EEoPI— John Adams (@John Adams) 1537469629.0
Here's an interesting fact, via a conservative anti-tax group: Trump's tariffs have so far cost *the middle class*… https://t.co/SEXTJD6TOC— Kevin Elliott (@Kevin Elliott) 1537499083.0
This administration's tariffs include more taxes for Americans than Obamacare did. Arbitrary tariffs with no strate… https://t.co/O4I7ZvuKdC— Renee Hoagenson 🌊 #DemCast (@Renee Hoagenson 🌊 #DemCast) 1537477816.0
Trump has frequently cited a need to "take a stand" on China to defend the tariffs.
Now, leaders in Beijing are beginning to worry that a trade war will strain U.S.-China relations irrevocably. Zhang Baohui, director of the Centre for Asian Pacific Studies at Lingnan University said:
“More and more in China’s elite circle now think Trump’s trade war is not just about fair trade and trade balance, Rather, it is a containment program to change China’s long-term power trajectory.”
Given how strongly Trump has spoken out against Obamacare, it will be interesting to see how he defends these inevitable tax hikes.
Big day tomorrow in Georgia and South Carolina. ObamaCare is dead. Dems want to raise taxes big! They can only obstruct, no ideas. Vote "R"— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1497919500.0
By @BarackObama's design, the middle class will be hit with record taxes under ObamaCare through inflation http://t.co/cZc9SRS6 REPEAL!— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1334775175.0
Great new ad from @MittRomney titled "Nothing's Free" http://t.co/FliU8TJb detailing both the high costs and taxes of ObamaCare.— Donald J. Trump (@Donald J. Trump) 1345740463.0
The tariffs are slated to take their highest toll in 2019, when Trump will likely be campaigning for reelection. Because middle class voters form a vital faction of his base, he'll surely suffer if the tax hikes become indefensible.