During a celebration marking his first 100 days back in office, former President Donald Trump defended his aggressive trade policies. He has implemented a series of steep tariffs as part of his “America First” trade agenda, aimed at reducing U.S. reliance on foreign goods. These measures include a 10% baseline tariff on most imports and significantly higher rates on specific goods and countries. Notably, tariffs have reached 25% on autos, steel, and aluminum, and 145% on Chinese imports—a rate the U.S. Treasury Secretary equated to an embargo. In an interview with ABC’s Terry Moran, Trump argued that other nations, particularly China, have historically taken advantage of the U.S. He asserted that these countries “were ripping us off” and that the tariffs are a justified response. However, trading partners have not accepted these measures passively. China retaliated by raising its own tariffs on U.S. goods to 125%, and the European Union is preparing countermeasures, escalating a global trade conflict. Despite Trump’s campaign promise to lower the cost of living, reports indicate his policies may instead raise costs for American families. Estimates suggest households could pay between $4,000 and $8,000 more annually due to increased prices on imported products. When confronted with this contradiction, Trump denied any failure, insisting, “I have,” brought prices down. He maintained that the country is doing “great” and that his actions are restoring global respect for the United States. Nevertheless, recent polls reflect significant public disapproval. Multiple surveys indicate that a majority of Americans describe his presidency as “scary” and “chaotic,” giving him the lowest 100-day approval rating of any president in the past eight decades.
During a celebration marking his first 100 days back in office, former President Donald Trump defended his aggressive trade policies. He has implemented a series of steep tariffs as part of his “America First” trade agenda, aimed at reducing U.S. reliance on foreign goods. These measures include a 10% baseline tariff on most imports and…
