Tariff talk is making its way to the Grammys stage, with host Trevor Noah quipping that fans of Beyoncé won’t be able to buy concert tickets because of a potential trade war ignited by President Trump.
“Yesterday Beyoncé announced her new tour,” Noah said Sunday as he kicked off the 67th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
“I will say though, Beyoncé, there’s tariffs. We can’t afford a new tour,” Noah exclaimed.
“Maple syrup is about to be $50,” he added to laughs from the audience.
The Grammys punchline came after Trump a day earlier imposed 25 percent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, along with 10 percent tariffs on China. The tariffs are poised to take effect on Tuesday.
The tariffs weren’t the only mention of hot-button issues during Noah’s Grammys monologue on the CBS awards show.
“We’re going to be honoring the best in music, as voted on by the 13,000 members of the Recording Academy — and 20 million illegal immigrants,” Noah said.
Without naming Trump, Noah, who was born in South Africa, also said, “There’s been a few changes in Washington, so I’m going to enjoy tonight because this might be the last time I get to host anything in this country.”
