Urging the Indiana congressional delegation to oppose harmful tariffs impacting Indiana's farmers, businesses, employees, and consumers.
Senate Resolution 71 is a nonbinding resolution urging Indiana’s congressional delegation to oppose tariffs that the resolution describes as harmful to Indiana farmers, businesses, employees, and consumers. The resolution focuses on tariffs announced in 2025 by the Trump administration, including tariffs on China and other trading partners, and argues that they have contributed to a global trade war, market volatility, and retaliation from foreign governments.
The resolution emphasizes Indiana’s exposure to international trade, especially in agriculture and manufacturing. It cites the state’s large agricultural economy, soybean exports, and major manufacturing sector, arguing that higher tariffs could raise input costs, reduce exports, threaten jobs, delay investment, and increase consumer prices for groceries, clothing, and automobiles. It also states that Congress has constitutional authority to address tariffs and calls on federal officials to reconsider the policy and strengthen trade ties with allies instead.
SR 71 does not change Indiana statutes or create new state regulatory requirements. Instead, it is a legislative statement of policy directed to the President and Indiana’s congressional delegation, asking them to oppose or reconsider federal tariff policy. Its practical effect is limited to advocacy and communication, but it signals the Indiana Senate’s position on trade policy and its concern about downstream effects on Indiana industries and households.
The overall sentiment in the resolution is strongly negative toward the tariffs and supportive of free or less restrictive trade. The bill frames the tariffs as economically damaging and presents them as a threat to Indiana’s farmers, manufacturers, workers, and consumers. No committee debate or vote record was provided, so the available context reflects the resolution’s own clear opposition rather than any recorded bipartisan or contested discussion.
The main point of contention is federal tariff policy itself, especially the use of broad tariffs by the Trump administration and the economic tradeoffs involved. Supporters of the resolution argue that tariffs raise costs, reduce export opportunities, and harm Indiana’s trade-dependent sectors, while opponents of such resolutions would likely view tariffs as a tool for protecting domestic industry or advancing broader trade leverage. The resolution also implicitly raises a constitutional and institutional issue by urging Congress to exercise its authority over tariffs, which may be seen as a challenge to executive trade actions.