Governor Josh Stein joined 18 other governors in signing a letter urging Congress to reclaim its authority over tariffs, following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that the President does not have the power to impose tariffs, according to a Mar. 11 announcement.
The issue is significant for North Carolina families and businesses, as recent tariff policies have led to higher prices and economic uncertainty. Governor Stein said, “Too many North Carolina families are already feeling the squeeze of high prices, and the volatility caused by the federal administration’s tariffs is further exacerbating their pain.” He added, “These tariffs are hurting consumers who are now paying higher costs and farmers selling goods overseas. Congress must act to reassert its authority on tariffs to lower costs and expand economic opportunity for North Carolinians.”
Stein has previously warned about the impact of federal tariffs on North Carolina’s industries. Last year, he led a delegation to Tokyo for the Southeast United States/Japan Annual Joint Meeting, where he discussed how tariffs were making it harder for international businesses to invest in North Carolina. At an event in Winston-Salem last year, Stein also highlighted how tariff-related uncertainty was affecting hurricane recovery efforts by increasing construction costs.
In addition to his stance on trade policy, Stein has focused on expanding opportunities and lowering costs for residents. Last year saw a record number of jobs announced in North Carolina under his leadership. He launched a Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships aimed at connecting schools, colleges, and employers with the goal of creating more well-paying jobs that support families.
Stein has also worked on initiatives such as relieving more than $6.5 billion in medical debt for over 2.5 million residents and supporting programs like Energy Saver NC, which is projected to save families an average of $1,000 on utility bills.
The Office of the Governor of North Carolina serves the entire state according to the official website. The governor executes state laws as chief executive and leads the Council of State according to the official website. Josh Stein has served as the 76th governor of North Carolina according to the official website. The office also influences state policy through directing budgets and granting pardons according to the official website, while serving as commander in chief of the National Guard and appointing executive officials according to the official website.