Merkley Statement on GDP Report Showing Economy Slowing

Trump Imposed Trade War a Contributing Factor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement following the Commerce Department’s report showing the economy began to shrink in the first three months of the year. This is a major shift from uninterrupted economic growth since 2022, including the last three months of 2024 where the economy grew by 2.4% under President Biden’s administration.

“Trump has been in office for only 100 days, and costs, chaos and corruption are already on the rise. The economy is slowing, prices are going up, and middle-class families are feeling the pinch. While Trump ran on a promise to lower prices ‘on day one,’ the President’s reckless blanket tariffs and trade wars with our allies are only making it harder for families in Oregon and across the country to make ends meet. From energy to housing and food, costs are up while the President is actively driving the economy into a ditch leaving hardworking Americans to bear the brunt.

“This is the Great Betrayal of American families – families lose, billionaires win,” said Ranking Member Jeff Merkley.

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