Joe Lombardo’s “commanding officer” Donald Trump just announced new 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, dragging Nevada’s economy deeper into a full-blown crisis with higher prices and even steeper tourism declines. Nevada workers “are seeing reduced hours, smaller tips and layoffs” as Canadians decide against visiting the U.S., all while our state’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the nation.
While Lombardo refuses to stand up to Trump’s erratic trade agenda, MGM and Caesars executives warned that these tariffs continue to drive down Canadian tourism and slow business. As tourism continues to plummet, Nevadans are feeling the “pain” that Lombardo wanted — dipping into emergency savings to keep afloat and donating plasma just to pay rent.
“Joe Lombardo’s ‘commanding officer’ just announced another round of reckless tariffs and Nevadans are still feeling the ‘pain.’” Nevada State Democratic Party spokesperson Kate Sosland said. “Lombardo is only focused on defending Trump’s ‘billionaire friends’ while Nevada families and businesses are footing the bill.”
Here’s a look at how Lombardo-Trump tariffs are jacking up Nevadans’ costs:
- Trump’s trade war continues to hurt Nevada tourism and gaming revenue as Las Vegas saw tourism drop for 11 consecutive months in 2025 and saw 5.9% fewer visitors in 2025 vs 2024.
- And 2026 isn’t doing much better, with June being the 18th straight month of declining visitors at Las Vegas Harry Reid airport.
- Even though the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s illegal tariffs, Lombardo said Nevadans don’t deserve a refund after paying an extra $1,700 last year for everyday essentials. Nonpartisan analysis found that consumers bear 95% of the costs of Trump’s tariffs.
- In 2025, families had to pay an extra $310 on average for food, as the price of fruit is up 5.5%, meat is 6% more expensive, and other goods like coffee or orange juice are up by as much as 30%.
- Nevada businesses are forced to raise prices, freeze wages, and slow hiring. In total, Nevada businesses had to pay nearly $1 billion in tariff costs over the past year and Nevada small business importers have paid $183,000 in tariff costs.
- Las Vegas casinos have had to lay off workers following a decline in visitors.
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