Mon Apr 21 03:10:00 UTC 2025: ## John Oliver Blames Trump Tariffs for Killing $300 Million Erie Plastics Plant
**ERIE, PA** – Erie, Pennsylvania, found itself unexpectedly in the national spotlight Sunday night, thanks to a segment on HBO’s *Last Week Tonight with John Oliver*. Oliver linked the cancellation of a $300 million plastics recycling plant in the city to President Trump’s tariffs.
International Recycling Group’s decision to scrap the project, citing increased costs due to tariffs on imported materials and equipment, was highlighted by Oliver as a prime example of the unintended consequences of the Trump administration’s trade policies. He argued that the tariffs, far from revitalizing American industry, are actively hindering economic development.
Oliver’s comedic commentary included a digression into Erie’s surprisingly gruesome history, recounting the story of Revolutionary War General “Mad Anthony” Wayne’s corpse being boiled in Erie to separate his bones from his flesh for transport to a family plot. He quipped that the failed recycling plant was now the only other thing he knew about the city.
The cancelled plant was expected to bring significant economic benefits to Erie. The impact of this loss on the local economy is yet to be fully assessed. However, the incident underscores the concerns of those who argue that tariffs can negatively impact businesses and economic growth.
First Piper 