Governor Josh Stein joined 18 other governors in signing a letter urging Congress to reclaim its authority over tariffs, following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that the President does not have the power to impose tariffs, according to a March 11 announcement.
The issue is significant for North Carolina families and businesses, as tariff policies can affect prices and economic opportunities across the state. The volatility caused by federal tariffs has been cited as a factor increasing costs for consumers and creating challenges for farmers and international business partnerships.
“Too many North Carolina families are already feeling the squeeze of high prices, and the volatility caused by the federal administration’s tariffs is further exacerbating their pain,” said Governor Josh Stein. “These tariffs are hurting consumers who are now paying higher costs and farmers selling goods overseas. Congress must act to reassert its authority on tariffs to lower costs and expand economic opportunity for North Carolinians.”
Stein has previously warned about the impact of federal government-imposed tariffs on North Carolina’s industries. Last year, he led a delegation to Tokyo for the Southeast United States/Japan Annual Joint Meeting, where he discussed how tariffs were affecting international businesses interested in expanding in the United States. At an event in Winston-Salem, he also addressed how tariff-related uncertainty was impacting Hurricane Helene recovery efforts by raising construction costs.
As governor, Stein has focused on expanding job opportunities and lowering costs for residents. He announced record job growth last year and launched a Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships aimed at connecting public schools, community colleges, and employers to create more well-paying jobs. In October, he reported that more than $6.5 billion in medical debt had been relieved for over 2.5 million North Carolinians, while an energy-saving program is projected to save families an average of $1,000 on utility bills.
The Office of the Governor of North Carolina serves the entire state according to the official website. The office executes state laws as chief executive and leads the Council of State according to the official website. Josh Stein has served as the 76th governor of North Carolina according to the official website. The office also influences state policy through directing budgets and granting pardons according to the official website, serves as commander in chief of the National Guard, and appoints executive officials according to the official website.
Looking ahead, Stein continues his efforts toward lowering costs for families while calling on Congress to take legislative action regarding tariff authority.
