Senator Ted Cruz from Texas issued a warning that the customs duties declared by Trump could turn into a “bloodbath” for Republicans.

Senator Ted Cruz from Texas cautioned that if the customs duties, which President Donald Trump dubbed as “Independence Day,” lead to a recession, Republicans could face a “complete disaster” during the midterm elections in 2026. Cruz also mentioned that if these tariffs remain in effect for a long time and other countries retaliate against American products, a full-scale trade war could erupt, causing “serious harm to the US economy.” Cruz expressed, “A century ago, the US economy did not have this much influence. But I am concerned; there are voices within the administration that want these tariffs to last forever.”

TARIFF DISCONTENT AMONG REPUBLICANS

Cruz’s statements highlighted further unrest within Republican ranks due to the introduction of “mutual” global customs duties on imports. He mentioned in a podcast program called Verdict that in the long term, tariffs and trade retaliations could plunge the US into “a severe recession,” and he used the term “a bloodbath in political terms in 2026.”

“I DON’T SHARE THE SAME VIEWS WITH THE WHITE HOUSE”

Cruz stated, “We might end up facing a House of Representatives with a Democratic majority, maybe even a Democratic Senate. If we are in an economic downturn and people are experiencing serious difficulties, they will punish the ruling party.” He also emphasized that he does not share the White House’s view that tariffs will create a “booming economy.” The Republican Senator also stated that if every country in the world imposes retaliatory tariffs against the US and Trump’s “mutual” customs duties remain in effect, it will have a “very bad outcome” and “cause serious damage to the US economy.” Cruz described his success criterion as cooperation with the government, but with a significant reduction in tariffs abroad and consequently a substantial reduction in tariffs in the US: “That would be a victory for American workers, businesses, growth, and prosperity,” he added. “Now, that would be a great outcome.”

TARIFF DIVIDE AMONG REPUBLICANS

Within Republicans, there is a general agreement on funding Trump’s other agenda items such as extending the tax cuts implemented in 2017, new immigration controls, and military spending. However, there is still a deep division on how to finance these expenses, despite nonpartisan budget analysts predicting that these measures will add about $5.7 trillion to the country’s debt over the next decade. Republican Senator Chuck Grassley from Iowa also introduced a bipartisan bill that would give Congress more authority in determining tariffs imposed on trade partners. Co-sponsored by Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell, the bill aims to “reaffirm” Congress’s role in setting and approving trade policies. Despite being largely symbolic, the bill supported by Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell, Jerry Moran, and Thom Tillis is seen as a way to react to the recent events, such as a $5.4 trillion loss in the stock market within two days and the defeat of a candidate supported by Trump’s advisor Elon Musk in the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections, which are interpreted as an escalating backlash from voters against the administration’s policies.