Kamala Harris slams Trump tariffs in her first major speech since he took office

(NPR) Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in her first major public remarks since leaving the White House, criticized President Trump's tariff policies as "reckless," saying they pose the risk of taking the country into recession.

"Some people are describing what's been happening in recent months as absolute chaos. And of course I understand why. It's certainly true of those tariffs. Tariffs that — as I predicted — are clearly inviting a recession," Harris said.

She called it the "greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history" and applauded Americans who are rallying against the tariffs, saying they will increase everyday costs and impact retirement accounts and small businesses.

The former vice president who failed in her race against Trump last year was speaking in San Francisco at a gala event for the organization Emerge America, which helps women run for office. Her comments come as Trump hits the 100-day mark of his second term, and as reports show the U.S. economy is contracting.

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/nx-s1-5382563/kamala-harris-first-speech-trump