While celebrating 100 days back in office with his trademark pomp and flair, Donald Trump delivered a harsh message to his supporters, defending his aggressive trade war that’s making America greatly unaffordable for many.
In August 2024, Donald Trump promised Americans that under his presidency, the cost of living would be more affordable.
“When I win, I will immediately bring prices down, starting on day one,” Trump promised during a campaign speech in August 2024. Referring to increasing domestic oil production, CNN writes that he also pledged, “We will drill, baby, drill.”
‘America First’
After he returned to the Oval Office – a little more than 100 days ago – Trump implemented the America First Trade Policy, a plan intended to reduce the “Nation’s dependence on other countries,” and eliminate “destructive trade deficits” by collecting “tariffs, duties, and other foreign trade-related revenues.”
Moving forward with the action, the President announced on April 2 a 10% tariff on most countries, along with higher tariff rates that will kick in on July 9, unless separate trade agreements are made.
The President has also imposed 25% tariffs on autos, steel and aluminum, 25% levies on Canada and Mexico, and 145% tariffs on China, which – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent – is “the equivalent of an embargo.”
China retaliated by boosting its tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% and The European Union is also readying countermeasures, Reuters reports.
‘Ripping us off’
Speaking with ABC’s Terry Moran, Trump defended the controversial tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports, from steel and electronics to toys and household goods, denying suggestions that it’ll “raise prices on everything from electronics to clothing to building houses.”
That’s good…they deserve it,” POTUS said, adding that it’s still unknown if prices will increase. Framing the move as a patriotic stand against economic exploitation, he continued, “China probably will eat those tariffs. But at 145, they basically can’t do much business with the United States. They were ripping us off like nobody’s ever ripped us off.
“And by the way, we have other countries that were just as bad…Every country, almost every country in the world was ripping us off.”
But China won’t eat anything without serving a plate to Americans. According to Reuters, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that Beijing’s “position of firmly opposing U.S. abuse of tariffs has not changed,” which means the trade war will only escalate.
‘Country’s doing great’
And now, only 100 days into Trumps return to the Oval Office, the real-world impact of his global trade war is hitting closer to home.
Insisting his actions are fueling the U.S. economy, and denying there’s any financial strain on Americans, the President boasted that the “country’s doing great” since he returned to the Oval Office 100 days before.
“It’s – many years of trading abuse. We’ve been abused by other countries for years and years. They laughed at us. They thought we were stupid people, and we’re fixing it,” Trump told Moran in the April 29 interview. “We’re doing very well. We’re doing very well. Wait till you see the real numbers come out in about – in six months from now wait till you see the numbers.”
‘Laughed at’
Putting him in the hot seat, Moran pointed out that there’s been “reputational damage” since his presidency, pointing out that Canadians are “really angry, furious” over Trump’s suggestions of possession over the country.
“That’s their prerogative,” he said, arguing that he’s “done an amazing job: and is “making America great again.”
“I think it’s gone way up, and I think we’re a respected country again. We were laughed at all over the world. We had – a president that couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs, couldn’t walk down a flight of stairs, couldn’t walk across a stage without falling. We had a president that was grossly incompetent,” he said.
Contradicts campaign promise
What has “gone way up” under Trump’s leadership is the cost of living.
Reports reveal that the President’s America First Trade Policy will cost American families an estimated $4,000 to almost $8,000 per household – primarily due to increased prices on imported goods, from electronics and toys, clothing to cars and everyday groceries.
“People are worried, even some people who voted for you, saying, ‘I didn’t sign up for this.’ So how do you answer those concerns?” Moran asked the President.
Trump replied, “Well, they did sign up for it, actually. And this is what I campaigned on. I said that – we’ve been abused by other countries at levels that nobody’s ever seen before…”
Trump also promised to bring down prices.
Denying he failed to failed to fulfill that promise, he insisted: “I have.”
‘Scary’ and ‘chaotic’
But, Americans are feeling the pressure of his presidency.
According to a joint ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, the President is facing the lowest 100-day approval rating of any U.S. president in the past 80 years, with 55% of disapproving of how Trump is handling his job in this second term.
Meanwhile, a separate New York Times/Siena College poll reveals that just 42% of respondents approve of his performance so far, with the majority describing his presidency as “scary” and “chaotic.”
Despite the bold policies and high-profile headlines, it appears many voters are feeling more turbulence than triumph.
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