McConnell bluntly stated he was “not a fan of tariffs” despite Trump’s vows to invoke, with or without the approval of Congress, a massive tariff increase on the more than $3 trillion in goods that the United States imports annually from other countries.

“They raise prices for American consumers,” McConnell told reporters. “I’m more of a free trade kind of Republican that remembers how many jobs were created by the exports that we engage in. So I’m not a tariff fan.”

The Trump campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Economists have warned Trump’s tariff push could send prices soaring for an array of goods whose higher costs would be passed down by American companies to U.S. consumers. Trump is needling weary Republicans on his proposal as a way to boost domestic manufacturing.

His tariff endeavor is comprised of varying import tax increases, including 60% on goods from China and 10-20% on all other foreign goods.

Trump on Monday went a step further with a threat to John Deere to impose a 200% tariff if the Illinois-based farm equipment maker follows through on previous plans to outsource manufacturing to Mexico. He stated his intent to use executive power if elected to move ahead with his tariffs strategy.

“I don’t need them. I don’t need Congress, but they’ll approve it,” Trump predicted. “I’ll have the right to impose them myself if they don’t. I’d rather get their support.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Vice President Kamala Harris has dubbed Trump’s tariff pitch as “Trump’s sales tax” that would raise prices across the board.

The Biden administration has recently imposed tariffs of its own, including the finalization of a new 100% tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles to promote domestic sourcing for its requirement to phase out traditional gas-powered cars that is part of the president’s climate change agenda.