¶ Overview
Zinke defended Trump’s tariffs and claimed, “the tariff war, it had to happen” despite acknowledging they would hit Montana harder than many states. He voted four times to protect the tariffs, including in April 2025 when he was the deciding vote to protect them, dooming Montanans who relied on him to a trade war and rising prices.
Tariffs are contributing to higher food prices and hurting Montana farmers. Zinke even admitted that tariffs cause “some degree of inflation.”
¶ Zinke Abandoned Montana And Said The Trade War “Had To Happen”
¶ Zinke Defended Trump’s Tariffs: “The Tariff War, It Had To Happen”
Zinke: “The Tariff War, It Had To Happen.” According to an interview Rep. Ryan Zinke did on Fox Business, “BARTIROMO: Now, what do you make of Xi Jingping trying to consolidate power with the Asian nations. He's wrapping up his trip to Vietnam today. He signed off on dozens of production supply chain and railway deals. Xi also called on Vietnam to , quote , oppose unilateral bullying. He says he'll travel to Malaysia and Cambodia next. He's looking to strengthen ties with regional trade partners to try and get some strength up against President Trump's tariffs . […] ZINKE: So the tariff war, it had to happen. Let’s do it under this president. And make sure we rebalance it and let's make sure we're not vulnerable to critical components that drive the economy here.” [Fox Business, Mornings with Maria, 4/15/25] (video)
4/7/25: Zinke Did Not Think Trump’s Tariffs Had Hurt The U.S. Economy Enough To Warrant Congressional Action. According to an interview Rep. Ryan Zinke gave on CNN, “BLITZER: Well, I'm going to get to that in a moment. But would you support a bill reasserting at least some significant congressional authority over imposing tariffs? ZINKE: Well, as long as they're successful and again, again, it get results in the U.S. being in a better position, I think is fine. But if it continues where it drags on the economy, where Congress should get involved with it, then at that point we're not there yet. But I think it's worth watching.” [CNN, Situation Room, 4/7/25] (video)
- Zinke Defended Trump’s Chaotic Handling Of Tariffs And The Economy, Claiming He Was A “Negotiator.” According to an interview Rep. Ryan Zinke gave on CNN, “BLITZER: So you think President Trump is actually open to negotiations on the issue of tariffs with these other countries? Because we have heard very conflicting statements from some of his cabinet members and senior administration economic officials about negotiations to reduce the tariffs. ZINKE: I think at the end of the day, President Trump is a negotiator. He loves the deal. I think what we're going to find my my guess is that the first negotiated deal will be Israel and there should be a negotiated a deal. BLITZER: And you think that will set an example for other countries to come to the United States and negotiate a deal? ZINKE: I do. And that's an important, make the first deal. And we'll see again, country to country making the deals. And I think that's important. Again, if tariffs result in a better position for the U.S. and our trading partners, we're not vulnerable to fickle allies or adversaries for key components that lead this economy, critical minerals, manufacturing chips, those type of things. If results in a better position to the U.S., I think it's good.” [CNN, Situation Room, 4/7/25] (video)
- Zinke Called Tariffs The President’s “Personal Tool Of Power.” According to an interview Rep. Ryan Zinke gave on NewsNation, “ANCHOR: Congressman, let's start with the new tariffs and how they could impact the auto industry moving forward. ZINKE: Well, yeah. First of all, the tariffs, the tariffs use them. The president uses them as personal tool of power.” [NewsNation Now, 3/26/25] (video)
¶ Zinke Acknowledged That Montana Would Be Hit Harder than Most States by Trump’s Trade War with Canada
Zinke Said He Hoped Tariffs On Canada Were Short Lived Because He Thought Montana Would Be Hit Harder Economically By A Trade War With Canada. According to Montana Public Radio, "Congressman Ryan Zinke: Montana, because of our vulnerability, is going to get hit probably more than anyone else, certainly on the upper tier, because our trade is Canada. And Montana has a long, long tradition with Canada. The first Special Forces service was from Canada. I'm a former Navy SEAL. So, our relationship between Montana and Alberta has been long. I'm hoping the tariffs are short lived, because it will have uneven consequences across our country" [Montana Public Radio, 3/14/25]
Zinke Acknowledged “Montana Gets Hits More Than Anyone Else” By Trump’s Tariffs. According to an interview Rep. Ryan Zinke gave on CNN, “HOST: This latest poll from CBS News showing 64% of Americans say the Trump administration isn’t focused enough on lowering prices? And now President Trump says, quote, he couldn't care less if prices on foreign made cars go up because he says more people will buy American made cars. Do you think he's out of touch with the American people? ZINKE: No, but I think the tariffs do represent a change in in our policies. And Montana gets hit more than anyone else. We are trading partner with Canada and we're very close to Canadians with Albertans and Saskatchewans, is 86% of trade.” [CNN, Situation Room, 3/31/25] (video)
¶ Zinke Admitted That Tariffs Cause Inflation
Zinke Admitted Tariffs Cause “Some Degree Of Inflation.” According to an interview Rep. Ryan Zinke gave on CNN, “ZINKE: But we need to do better. I think that tariffs cause, you know, some degree of inflation, long-term, hopefully they go to a trade deal and that will bring prices down, market stability. [CNN, Situation Room, 11/21/25] (video)
¶ Zinke Repeatedly Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
¶ September 2025: Zinke Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Zinke Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through March 2026. In September 2025, Zinke voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the resolution [that] would allow for the tolling (the pausing of counting) of days for resolutions of inquiry from Sept. 30, 2025 through March 31, 2026. It also would provide that each day during the period from April 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026. would not constitute a calendar day for the purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution to terminate President Donald Trump's April 2, 2025 executive order declaring a national emergency regarding tariffs on imported goods. The resolution also would provide that during the period for March 11, 2025 through March 31, 2026, would not constitute a calendar day for purposes of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act with respect to a joint resolution terminating a national emergency executive order declared by President Trump on Feb. 1, 2025. Such an executive order concerned tariffs on many Canadian and Mexican imports and Chinese goods. The resolution also would provide that the provisions of section 202 of the National Emergencies Act would not apply through March 31, 2026 to a joint resolution terminating the national emergency.” The vote was on the rule. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 213 to 211. [House Vote 268, 9/16/25; Congressional Quarterly, 9/16/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 707;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Support Was Won From GOP Holdouts Through A Promise Of A Vote Later In The Week To Shorten The Block To End In January Rather Than March. According to Politico, “GOP leaders flipped several of the Republican holdouts with a promise to add language shortening the block on tariff disapproval votes to a forthcoming measure set for approval later in the week, per two Republicans with direct knowledge of the agreement. The expiration date on the block will be reset from March 31 to the end of January, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said Tuesday. It’s likely the Supreme Court will have ruled on a challenge to Trump’s tariff-declaring powers by then.” [Politico, 9/16/25]
¶ April 2025: Zinke Cast The Deciding Vote To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Zinke Cast The Deciding Vote For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In March 2025, Zinke voted for, “adoption of the rule (H Res 313) that would provide for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the rule. The underlying legislation was the FY 2025 budget resolution. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 216 to 215. [House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
- Speaker Johnson Backed The Move, Claiming Trump Has “Executive Authority” And That The Tariffs Are “In The Interest Of The American People.” According to ABC News, “House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., defended the move, telling reporters, ‘I've made it very clear I think the president has executive authority. It's an appropriate level of authority to deal with the unfair trade practices. That's part of the role of the president is to negotiate with other countries.’ Johnson said Trump told him Tuesday night that ‘there are almost 70 countries that are [in] some stage in negotiation of more fair-trade agreement agreements with the United States. I think that is in the interest of the American people. I think that is an ‘America First’ policy that will be effective, and so we have to give them the space to do it.’” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
- The Vote Was The Second Use Of The Procedural Tactic To Block Votes On The Tariffs, The First Use Of It Being In March. According to ABC News, “House Democrats, led by Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., moved to force a vote on Tuesday on terminating the national emergency authority and blocking Trump's sweeping tariffs. Now, that vote is unlikely to occur. This is the second time Johnson has moved to stop the legislative calendar to prevent votes on Trump's authority on tariffs. Under House rules, these votes would typically come up within 15 calendar days but now will not if the ‘rule’ passes during the vote series Wednesday afternoon.” [ABC News, 4/9/25]
¶ If One “Aye” Vote Had Switched To A “No” On House Vote 94 The Measure Would Have Failed Instead Of Passing
The Measure Considered In House Vote 94 Passed By A Vote Of 216 “Ayes” To 215 “Nos,” Which Meant If One Aye Vote Had Switched To A No Vote The Measure Would Have Failed.
[House Vote 94, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313;Congressional Actions, H.Con. Res. 14]
¶ April 2025: Zinke Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Zinke Effectively Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs Through September 2025. In April 2025, Zinke voted for, “motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 313) that would providing for floor consideration of the Senate amendment to the fiscal 2025 budget resolution (H Con Res 14). The rule would provide up to one hour of debate on a motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the measure. It also would block the expedited consideration of joint resolutions terminating President Donald Trump’s tariff actions under the April 2 executive order by providing that each day during the period from April 9, 2025 through Sept. 30, 2025, will not constitute a calendar day under the federal law pertaining to terminating national emergencies.” The vote was on the previous question. The House agreed to the rule by a vote of 217 to 212. [House Vote 93, 4/9/25; Congressional Quarterly, 4/9/25; Congressional Actions, H.Res. 313]
¶ March 2025: Zinke Voted To Protect Trump’s Tariffs
2025: Zinke Voted For A Procedural Trick To Block Votes On The Reversal Of Trump’s Tariffs. In March 2025, Zinke voted for, “the bill that would provide for Congressional disapproval of, and nullify, a December 2024 IRS rule related to gross proceeds reporting by brokers involved in digital asset sales. The rule imposed reporting requirements, beginning in 2027, on non-custodial barkers who participate in the decentralized digital asset market. It also required brokers to file information returns and provide payee statements reporting gross proceeds from certain digital asset sales and transactions.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 292 to 132. [House Vote 71, 3/11/25; Congressional Quarterly, 3/11/25; Congressional Actions, H.J. Res. 25]
- The Bill Effectively Blocked The House From Voting To Reverse Trump’s Tariffs On Mexico, Canada, And China For The Next Year. According to the New York Times, “Republican leaders on Tuesday slipped language into a procedural measure that would prevent any resolution to end the tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China from receiving a vote this year. It passed on party lines as part of a resolution that cleared the way for a vote later Tuesday on a government spending bill needed to prevent a shutdown at the end of the week.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The Bill Nullified A Law That Would Allow The House And Senate To End A Disaster Declared By The President. According to the New York Times, “In this case, Republican leaders did so using a particularly unusual contortion: They essentially declared the rest of the year one long day, nullifying a law that allows the House and Senate to jointly put an end to a disaster declared by the president.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
- The National Emergencies Act Required Consideration Of Resolutions Ending A Presidentially Declared Emergency Within Fifteen Calendar Days But Republican Leadership Included A Measure In The Bill Declaring The Rest Of The Year Did Not Constitute A Calendar Day. According to the New York Times, “The national emergency law lays out a fast-track process for Congress to consider a resolution ending a presidential emergency, requiring committee consideration within 15 calendar days after one is introduced and a floor vote within three days after that. But the language House Republicans inserted in their measure on Tuesday declared that, ‘Each day for the remainder of the 119th Congress shall not constitute a calendar day’ for the purposes of the emergency that Mr. Trump declared on Feb. 1.” [New York Times, 3/11/25]
¶ Montana Was Expected to Be Hit The Hardest by Tariffs And They Were Causing Uncertainty For Farmers Who Relied On Trade With Canada
HEADLINE: "Grocery Inflation Highest Since 2022 As Trump Tariffs Pile Up" [Axios, 9/16/25]
University Of Montana Economist Said The Tariffs Were More Damaging To Montana Than The Economy As A Whole. According to the Daily Inter Lake, "Montana is expected to be acutely affected by tariff uncertainty into 2026 with an economic slowdown likely on the horizon, a top state economist reported Thursday. ‘Probably the biggest issue with the tariffs right now is this volatility,’ Dr. Jeffery Michael, director of the Bureau of Business and Economic Research at the University of Montana, said at the 2025 Midyear Economic Update at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell. According to Michael, damages to the U.S. economy brought by tariffs have been overstated, ‘However it’s also my view that they’re somewhat more damaging to Montana than they are to the economy as a whole.’" [Daily Inter Lake, 8/1/25]
- Big Sky Business Journal On Trump’s Tariffs: “Montana Could Be The Most Impacted State In The Nation Because The State Is The Most Dependent Upon Imports.” According to Big Sky Business Journal, "President Trump’s tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China could have significant impacts on Montana. In fact, Montana could be the most impacted state in the nation because the state is the most dependent upon imports. Montana tops a list of eight states that will see at least two-thirds of their imports impacted, according to Lending Tree. Montana gets over 91% of its imports from Canada alone. LendingTree said that some states send a majority of their exports to these countries, making them vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs." [Big Sky Business Journal, 4/7/25]
University Of Montana Economist Said Montana’s Construction Sector Would Be Hit Hardest By Tariffs And To Expect Price Increases On Automobiles. According to the Daily Inter Lake, "Montana’s robust construction sector is expected to be hit the hardest, he added, because builders rely on sourcing materials globally. ‘It’s sort of a cost situation without the ability to benefit,’ he said. While manufacturing is forecasted to benefit from increased tariffs, Montana is not a manufacturing-heavy state. ‘We have about half the economic reliance on manufacturing as other states do,’ he said. The average Montanan spends 36% more on trucks, cars and motor vehicle parts than the average American, and those goods are expected to rise in price due to tariffs. ‘I expect we’ll see price increases about 10% or so in this particular sector over the next 12 months,’ Michael said." [Daily Inter Lake, 8/1/25]
Montana World Trade Center Executive Director Said Tariffs Could “Be The End” Of Some Small Businesses. According to the Daily Inter Lake, "But small businesses, most of the Montana market, are expected to be negatively impacted by tariffs, according to Brigitta Miranda-Freer, executive director of the Montana World Trade Center, who also spoke at Thursday’s event. Tariffs will put higher prices on shipments that will ‘have a real impact on their business. It might be the end of their business,’ she said. Smaller companies aren’t able to leverage deals with foreign entities like large corporations are, she said." [Daily Inter Lake, 8/1/25]
- HEADLINE: "Montana Farmers Worry About Impact Of Trump's Tariff Negotiations" [KPAX, 7/17/25]
- HEADLINE: "Montana Farmers See Canadian Trade Dry Up Due To Tariffs" [NBC Montana, 4/9/25]
- Montana Farmers Union President Said Some Farmers Got Letters Saying Suppliers And Buyers Weren’t Sure If They Could Honor Their Contracts Because Of The Tariffs And Some Farmers Had Tariffs Already Added To Agricultural Goods They Need From Canada. According to NBC Montana, "But the Trump Administration implemented a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico earlier this year, leaving some Montana producers concerned about the effects to the state’s economy. ‘Many of our farmers, their closest supplier or their closest buyer is from Canada. And they’ve been receiving letters telling them they don’t know if they’re going to be able to honor their contracts this year because of the tariffs. And we’ve had members who have already had tariffs added to agricultural goods that they need out of Canada,’ said Walter Schweitzer, Montana Farmers Union president." [NBC Montana, 4/9/25]
- HEADLINE: "Montana Farmers Union Challenges Trump's Tariffs" [NonStop Local, 4/7/25]