Wisconsin GOP Sen. Ron Johnson on Thursday appeared cautious about the upcoming tariffs President Donald Trump will be imposing on Mexico, Canada and China next week, but said he will give the president "the benefit of the doubt."

Trump is expected to impose the tariffs on Tuesday, March 4, after claiming on Thursday that the countries have not done enough to stem the flow of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, into the United States. 

Johnson said he is "concerned" about the tariffs because his home state was badly impacted by the tariffs in the president's first administration, which harmed the Wisconsin agriculture industry.

"I'll give him the benefit of the doubt, but I have to be honest, I'm concerned," he said on the "Just The News, No Noise" TV show. "We have manufacturers that compete globally. Their competitors are not subject to tariffs on things like steel and aluminum that are components to [our] products. So our manufacturers can't compete, they can't export them."

The senator added that tariffs are a form of tax, which can lead to an increase in the prices of goods.

"But President Trump is fully aware that he's got to get inflation under control," he continued. "His economic team, they're first class. So, I mean, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. He's well aware of the fact that I have some concerns, and I'll be ... making sure that his people are very attuned and are willing to listen to what the fallout may be from this.

 "[The president] admits there's going to be pain," he added. "But hopefully in his administration, he will do everything he can to alleviate that pain."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.