Monterey Times

Representative Jimmy Panetta, who has been serving in the U.S. Congress representing California’s 19th district since 2017, expressed concerns and criticism over several trade-related issues in recent statements. A native of Washington, D.C., Panetta has a legal and political background with education from the University of California, Davis and Santa Clara University. His viewpoint is reflected in his recent tweets addressing the consequences of certain trade policies initiated during the previous administration.

On April 8, 2025, Rep. Jimmy Panetta expressed criticism over the imposition of tariffs by the former administration. He stated, "Trump’s tariffs threaten to harm American consumers and businesses. I support fair trade policies and the tactical use of tariffs, but this type of overreaching blanket tariffs creates uncertainty, raises costs, hurts our economy, and harms our standing on the world stage." Panetta highlighted the potential detriment these tariffs pose to the national and global economy.

Later that day, at 21:30 UTC, Rep. Panetta commented on the implications of funding cuts to local food assistance programs. He stated, "Millions of Californians depend on food banks and thousands of local farmers rely on programs like the USDA’s Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) to stay afloat. When USDA abruptly cut LFPA, I led the charge in Congress to fight back." In his statement, he referenced the importance of these programs to both beneficiaries and providers within California's significant agricultural sector.

In another tweet on April 8, 2025, at 22:30 UTC, Rep. Panetta reiterated his stance against protectionist trade policies. He said, "As the stock market fluctuates, tariffs hit our economy, and prices increase, I’ll continue to fight back against Trump and these types of protectionist trade policies. With my Reclaim Trade Powers Act, Congress can take back its constitutional role in foreign commerce." Panetta emphasized his initiative, the Reclaim Trade Powers Act, which aims to restore congressional authority in matters of foreign trade.