President Trump is doubling down on his decision to impose harsh tariffs on the U.S.’s top trading partners, even though he admits Americans might feel some economic pain. But, according to Trump, the price will be worth it for the “spectacular” results that will follow.
Trump took to Truth Social on Sunday morning, just after signing off on a series of aggressive tariffs: 25% on Canada and Mexico, and 10% on China. This move is setting the stage for a potential trade war with the U.S.’s three biggest trade partners. Trump fired back at critics, arguing the tariffs are a necessary response to the decades-long trade deficits America has faced with these nations.
“The ‘Tariff Lobby,’ led by the Globalist, and always wrong, Wall Street Journal, is working hard to justify Countries like Canada, Mexico, China, and too many others to name, continue the decades-long RIPOFF OF AMERICA, both with regard to TRADE, CRIME, AND POISONOUS DRUGS that are allowed to so freely flow into AMERICA,” Trump wrote from Mar-a-Lago. “THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!”
Trump added that if American companies just made their products here, tariffs wouldn’t be necessary.
“WILL BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA!,” he declared. “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID. WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!”
In another post, Trump suggested the U.S. doesn’t even need Canada’s products, proposing the country “should become our Cherished 51st State.” Canadian leaders quickly shot down the idea, just as they have before.
The tariffs, which go into effect on Tuesday, are set to hammer imports from Canada, Mexico, and China. While Canadian energy imports will face a lower 10% tariff, there are no exceptions, and Trump left the door open to ramp up tariffs if those countries retaliate. And retaliate they did.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau immediately announced plans for 25% tariffs on over $100 billion in U.S. goods. Pierre Poilievre, a likely successor to Trudeau, called Trump’s tariffs “unjust and unjustified,” vowing to hit back with a “dollar-for-dollar” response.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government is working on its own measures, though details are still unclear. China has already vowed to take legal action against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization.
Experts are warning this could send costs skyrocketing. The Tax Foundation estimates these tariffs could result in an extra $830 in taxes per U.S. household. This comes despite Trump’s earlier promises to lower inflation.
Democrats have blasted the tariffs as a direct hit to American consumers, calling them a betrayal of Trump’s campaign promises. Business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have also condemned the move.
Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) warned that these tariffs would hit many industries hard, from families and small businesses to lobstermen and manufacturers.
