PORTLAND, Ore. — Nearly four weeks after the election, President-elect Donald Trump has begin to put in motion the foundation of his second presidency, from cabinet picks to threats of imposing sweeping tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.
In this episode of Straight Talk, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden gave his stance on Trump's cabinet picks so far, discussed how the proposed tariffs would affect Oregonians, and outlined his goal to stamp down on rate hikes initiated by Portland General Electric (PGE).
Trump's cabinet picks
As of Nov. 25, when the episode was filmed, Trump has announced who he wants in nearly every key role in his cabinet; including Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who lost her reelection bid in the Nov. 5 election.
Most cabinet picks require Senate confirmation, a vetting process that Trump has threatened to sidestep through recess appointments — a practice which Wyden said he won't abide: "We're not going to stand for something that turns the United States Senate into door mats.”
When it comes to Chavez-DeRemer's appointment as the labor secretary, Wyden said he plans to "listen very carefully to what she has to say," positing that President-elect Trump has not gone out of his way to be "a big ally" for working families and labor.
Another of Trump's appointments Wyden said he'd hear out is Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State. The pair served together on the Senate Select Intelligence Committee for a number of years. Wyden said that he and Rubio sat a seat away from another in committee meetings and worked together on bipartisan projects, particularly cracking down on Chinese surveillance data involving U.S. soldiers.
"So I'm going to listen to him as well, but he certainly brings a lot of credibility from the intelligence committee," Wyden said.
For another one of Trump's appointment, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary, Wyden said the pair agrees on some issues, particularly tobacco control. However, he called Kennedy's comments toward vaccines as "outlandish."
"Given the fact that those vaccines in a lot of instances help their (Senators') kids," Wyden said. "We'll see how he does."
READ MORE: Vaccine hesitancy continues to rise in Oregon and Washington, concerning health care providers
Tariffs
On Monday, Trump posted on his Truth Social account that one his first executive orders would impose a 25% tariff on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China.
These tariffs are paid by either the business or the individual importing the goods, not other countries. While importers pay these tariffs, many economist have said the cost of these taxes are usually passed on to the consumer, leading to higher prices on imported goods.
Oregon is one the most trade-dependent states in the nation, exporting around $30 billion annually. Wyden explained that one out of four Oregon jobs revolve around international trade, saying that these job typically pay better than non-trade jobs.
"They have huge implications for us," Wyden said. "One of the reasons that people say, 'Well, I like these tariffs' is that they think that China, for example, is going to pay them. That's just factually wrong."
Wyden said that not all tariffs are bad and that some protect companies. But there are cases where tariffs don't make sense. In this instance, Wyden said the tariffs would likely raise prices for Oregonians and could contribute to more inflation.
"That's the last thing we need," he added.
PGE rate hikes
In a news conference on Monday, Wyden vowed to curb Portland General Electric's proposed rate hikes. In a letter to the utility company, the senator requested answers for the increase in rates seen in the last several years.
In July, PGE requested a 10.9% rate increase for all customers in 2025. If approved, it would be the third year in a row PGE has increased its rates.
“These rate hikes are hitting Oregonians like a wrecking ball,” Wyden said.
From all his town hall meetings, Wyden said the biggest issues facing Oregonians all center around "bills."
"The second word is almost always bill," he added. "It might be medical bill. It might be housing bill. It might be energy bill. That's what people are thinking about now."
Wyden said he plans to put pressure on PGE and figure out what needs to be done to end the rate hikes.
"We're going to stay at it until we stop them, because they're out of hand," he said.
Straight Talk airs Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and Monday at 7 p.m. Straight Talk is also available as a podcast.