[Ted Cruz, Republican Senator [Getty Images]]
[Herald Economics = Reporter Cho Beom-ja] A senior Republican senator, considered an ally of President Donald Trump, has warned that the ruling party could suffer a major defeat in the 2026 midterm elections due to tariff policies.
According to the Financial Times (FT) on the 5th (local time), Senator Ted Cruz (Texas) stated on his podcast that “if every country on earth retaliates with tariffs on the U.S. and President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs remain in effect, the outcome will be disastrous.”
The conflict between the U.S. and other countries could escalate into a full-blown trade war, resulting in job losses in the U.S. and severe economic impacts.
He also analyzed that prices would rise significantly. Senator Cruz pointed out, “If the U.S. experiences a recession and people suffer, voters will punish the incumbent party.”
He continued, saying, “If the U.S. falls into a serious depression, the 2026 midterm elections could become a catastrophe. Both the House and the Senate could fall to the Democrats.”
Currently, the Federal House of Representatives consists of 220 Republican seats and 213 Democratic seats. The Senate holds a Republican majority with 53 seats.
FT analyzed that Senator Cruz’s remarks are the most critical statement by a Republican lawmaker regarding President Trump’s tariff policy so far.
Senator Cruz competed with President Trump in the 2016 presidential primaries but declared his support for Trump early in the last presidential primaries.
Previously, Republican Senator Chuck Grassley (Iowa) proposed a bill with a Democratic colleague that would require Congress to approve any new tariffs introduced by the president within 60 days, or else suspend the efficacy of the new tariffs.
This bill, which aims to put a check on the president’s tariff-imposing authority, has been co-sponsored by Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), Mitch McConnell (Kentucky), Thom Tillis (North Carolina), and Jerry Moran (Kansas).