President Donald Trump has once again reaffirmed his commitment to the tariffs on international trade, even as the stock market remains volatile.
Despite significant pushback and economic uncertainty following the launch of his economic policies, Trump insists that these measures are necessary for long-term gains.
In a recent interview with ABC News, Trump addressed concerns about the economic hardships Americans might face, particularly as the stock market continues to fluctuate.
When asked whether Americans will have to “hang tough” through these tough times, Trump was adamant: “I said all of these things during my campaign.
I said, you’re going to have a transition period.” He explained that the tariffs, while painful in the short term, are meant to fix longstanding trade imbalances with other countries, something he’s wanted to address for years.
Trump Dismisses Worries, Says Economic Strain Will Lead to ‘Great Times’
In the interview, Trump defended his position, suggesting that the economic challenges Americans are experiencing now will ultimately lead to better times.
He pointed to recent drops in gasoline and grocery prices as evidence of positive progress.
“Since I came in, gasoline is down, groceries are down, egg prices are down.
Many things are down, just about everything,” Trump claimed, despite polling that suggests many Americans aren’t feeling the relief he mentioned.
The president, known for his bold language, argued that some of the market anxiety was overstated, explaining that people were “getting a little yippie” or “afraid,” comparing the panic to the “yips” golfers experience when they start missing easy putts.
He maintained that while times might be tough, the transition will lead to what he calls “greatness.”
The Pause in Tariffs and Its Impact on Trump’s Approval Rating
Trump also revealed that he put a temporary 90-day pause on his global tariff plans, which led to a significant dip in the stock market.
He admitted that he had been watching the market’s collapse but argued that the pause was necessary to calm growing concerns.
However, the president’s approval rating has suffered in the wake of this decision, with a recent poll showing a 9-point drop, marking his lowest approval since returning to the White House.
This dip is attributed to rising concerns over prices and the economy, which were central issues in his victory over Kamala Harris in the last presidential election.
Six in ten voters now believe the economy is worsening, with many citing rising costs despite Trump’s claims of price drops.
Trump Defends His Trade Policies and Reaffirms His Commitment to Change
Trump has long argued that the U.S. has been taken advantage of by other nations in trade deals, and he views these tariffs as necessary to correct that.
“We’ve been ripped off by every country all over the world,” Trump reiterated in the interview.
“They’re laughing at us. They thought we were stupid people, and we were. And I said, ‘That’s not going to happen.
We’re not going to let that happen.'”
The president continued to express confidence that his trade policies would eventually lead to economic improvements, even though the immediate effects have been challenging.
“This is the transition to greatness,” he said, suggesting that the U.S. was on the path to becoming stronger economically.
Trump Faces Questions About His Confidence in Key Officials
In another part of the interview, Trump was asked about his level of confidence in his Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, following some internal controversies at the Pentagon.
Trump’s response was direct: “I don’t have a hundred percent confidence in anything. OK?
Anything.” He emphasized that only “a liar” would claim absolute confidence in anything.
Despite his sharp response, Trump did offer some praise for Hegseth, describing him as a “talented guy” and someone with great potential.
The president also stated that he had spoken with Hegseth about recent challenges, including internal leaks and an ongoing investigation that led to the dismissal of several Pentagon officials.
Michigan Rally Marks 100 Days Back in Office
To mark the 100th day of his second term, Trump held a large rally in Michigan, a state significantly impacted by his trade tariffs.
The event highlighted his return to campaign mode, as he spent much of the rally revisiting old grievances, including mocking his Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden.
Trump also emphasized immigration as a key issue, boasting about his administration’s efforts to reduce illegal crossings along the U.S.-Mexico border.
He was joined by several members of his administration, including communications advisor Margo Martin and homeland security official Stephen Miller, who helped showcase the achievements of his administration during this period.
Trump’s rally in Michigan, his largest public event since his return to the White House, was a powerful display of his ongoing political influence as he sought to rally support for his policies and show that his administration is on track to deliver on its promises.