Governor Hochul holds roundtable discussion with North Country figures and farmers over President Trump’s tariff policies

ALBANY, NY- Governor Kathy Hochul is not backing down on her calls for the U.S. Federal Government to refund an estimated $13.5 billion she claims was illegally taken from New Yorkers as a result of tariff policies from President Trump’s administration.

“Enough is enough — it is time that the federal government refunds the money and helps our businesses, farmers, and families get back on their feet,” she declared.

This week, the Governor held a roundtable discussion with various upstate figures and farmers, focusing on issues that have apparently resulted from President Trump’s tariff approach.

On the other hand, officials from the White House say the United States faces fundamental international payment problems, in particular a large and serious balance-of-payments deficit.

In a nutshell, the U.S. has dwindled in terms of domestic production, meaning the country relies on imports for much of what it consumes and President Trump’s administration says that sends U.S. dollars out of our economy and overseas.

If left unchecked, a White House fact sheet claims these international payment problems can, among other things, endanger the ability of the United States to finance its spending, erode investor confidence in the economy, distress the financial markets, and endanger U.S. economic and national security.

According to the White House, tariffs will continue to be a critical tool in President Trump’s toolbox for protecting American businesses and workers, reshoring domestic production, lowering costs, and raising wages.

Image via the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.