Some drivers feared the proposed tariffs could increase gas prices

Some Granite State drivers said they are concerned about the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on gasoline prices. Earlier this week, Trump called for a 25 percent import tax on all products imported into the United States from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China. Trump said the tariffs would help create manufacturing jobs in the United States. Canada is America’s largest foreign supplier of crude oil. In July, a record 4.3 million barrels of crude oil were imported into the United States from Canada. “We just came back from vacation. A lot of people are talking about it,” said a driver who was pumping gas at the Hooksett rest area on Saturday. “People are worried.” The state’s energy commissioner said it’s too early to know whether these import duties will ultimately be imposed on crude oil crossing the border or whether increased costs will be passed on by importers to drivers. “I have not seen the analysis of what impact this could have,” said Jared Chicoine, commissioner of the NH Department of Energy. “What I do know is that President Trump has said he wants to unleash American energy independence, so obviously politics influences prices.”