WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump's new steel and aluminum tariff hikes take effect Wednesday while trade negotiations with foreign countries continue.

The Trump administration is using the threat of tariffs to negotiate trade policies with dozens of countries, and the approach has some fans in Congress.

“What you're doing? Good. You're telling people, if you rip us off, you're going to pay a price, stop poisoning America, stop cheating,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Senator Lindsey Graham is one of those who praised the tariff policies in a hearing with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Lutnick says tariffs are the key to boosting U.S. manufacturing and improving the economy, pointing to President Trump's newest order to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

See Full Page