Ex-CIA chief: Trump tariffs play into Russia and China’s hands

Former CIA Director John Brennan on Tuesday renewed his criticism of President Trump, focusing on his administration’s trade policy one day after the White House said the president was looking at revoking Brennan’s security clearance.

In his first public comment since the White House said it was considering the action, Brennan called Trump’s decision to implement steep tariffs against allies “short-sighted.”

{mosads}”Using tariffs as a blunt force instrument against allies and partners is not only short-sighted but also plays into the hands of Russia and China. Same is true with bombastic rhetoric against Iran,” Brennan tweeted.

“We need to be smarter, more sophisticated, more strategic,” he added.

Using tariffs as a blunt force instrument against allies and partners is not only short-sighted but also plays into the hands of Russia and China. Same is true with bombastic rhetoric against Iran. We need to be smarter, more sophisticated, more strategic. https://t.co/bMMwsWCR2y

— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) July 24, 2018

Brennan’s tweet came in response to Trump declaring earlier Tuesday, “Tariffs are the greatest!” 

The president has slapped billions in tariffs on longtime allies, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union. The U.S. and China have also exchanged tens of billions of dollars worth of duties on each other as part of an escalating trade war.

Trump has repeatedly defended the decision, despite overwhelming opposition from lawmakers in both parties who warn that tariffs hurt American workers.

Brennan also made note of Trump’s tweet Sunday night in which he warned that Iran would face consequences “the likes of which few throughout history have ever suffered before” if it threatened the U.S.

Brennan, who served as CIA director under President Obama, has been among the fiercest critics of Trump, particularly in the wake of his trip to Europe earlier this month.

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said at Monday’s press briefing that Trump is considering taking away security clearances for Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and other former officials who have been highly critical of the president.

“The president doesn’t like the fact that people are politicizing agencies and departments that are specifically meant to not be political,” Sanders said.

The idea was first raised by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who met with Trump on Monday.

While Brennan has not directly responded to the suggestion, Clapper called it a “very petty thing to do” and noted that his criticisms of the president are not dependent upon having a security clearance.