Michael Reagan, the adopted son of the late President Ronald Reagan, has recently stepped into the ongoing debate about Donald Trump’s controversial tariff policies.
Reagan is pushing back against those who use his father’s stance on trade as a way to criticize Trump’s actions, particularly regarding tariffs on countries like Mexico, Canada, and China.
Ronald Reagan’s Evolving Views on Tariffs
As President Trump faces intense criticism for imposing tariffs on several trading partners, some have pointed to a famous 1987 speech by President Reagan, in which he called such actions “stupid.”
The video of Reagan making this statement has been circulating, especially among critics of Trump’s trade policies, with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon reportedly sharing it.
However, Michael Reagan, who runs the Reagan Legacy Foundation, is telling critics to stop misusing his father’s legacy to attack Trump.
Michael Reagan’s Changing Views on Trump
Although Michael Reagan has been a vocal critic of Trump in the past, even going so far as to suggest in 2016 that his father would not support Trump if he were alive, he has since clarified his stance.
Reagan pointed out that his father’s views on tariffs were not static, acknowledging that Reagan’s position evolved over time.
In a post on social media, Reagan made it clear that his father would have supported Trump’s tariff decisions, given the changing global circumstances and leadership.
“Things were different back then, and it’s a different time now,” Michael Reagan wrote.
“My father would have backed Trump’s decisions.”
The Criticism of Trump and the Trade War
At the heart of the debate are Trump’s tariffs, which have sparked a trade war with countries like Canada and Mexico.
Trump has been fiercely defending his decision to impose heavy tariffs, such as on Canadian dairy and lumber.
He claimed that these countries have been unfairly taking advantage of the U.S. for years, and vowed to continue enforcing tariffs to level the playing field.
While Trump’s trade war has already caused tensions, it took a new turn when, in late February, he imposed 25 percent tariffs on all goods coming from Mexico and Canada, only to later backtrack.
The U.S. government then announced a temporary pause, with tariffs not applying to goods compliant with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) until April 2.
Trump’s Ongoing Trade Negotiations
Even as Trump reconsiders some of his tariff decisions, the trade conflict remains far from over.
The U.S. is still set to implement reciprocal tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and other nations on April 2, with the possibility of expanding tariffs to countries like Russia if necessary.
Trump has even raised the possibility of new sanctions on Russia, urging a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
The shifting dynamics surrounding Trump’s tariffs reflect ongoing global tensions, and the debate about trade policy continues to be a significant point of discussion as countries try to navigate an increasingly complex economic landscape.
Reagan’s Call to Stop the Criticism
Michael Reagan concluded his remarks by asking people to stop using his father’s words against Trump.
“Give Trump time and get out of the way,” he urged.
He emphasized that many who are now praising Ronald Reagan’s approach to tariffs treated him poorly when he was in office.
Michael urged those critics to give Trump the same time and respect to let his policies play out.
In the end, it’s clear that the legacy of Ronald Reagan is being used in various ways to influence modern political debates.
However, Michael Reagan insists that his father’s perspective on tariffs was not fixed and would have been in alignment with Trump’s policies, especially given the changing nature of global politics.