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Trump Defends Tariffs, Says U.S. Economy Will Face ‘Little Disturbance’
President Donald Trump has acknowledged that the U.S. economy may experience some disruption due to new tariffs but insists they are necessary to protect American industries and economic sovereignty.
Speaking on Tuesday in his first address to a joint session of Congress since returning to the White House, Trump described tariffs as a tool not just for job protection but for safeguarding the nation’s economic integrity.
“Tariffs are not just about protecting American jobs. They’re about protecting the soul of our country,” Trump said. “There’ll be a little disturbance, but we’re okay with that. It won’t be much.”
The president warned that companies manufacturing products outside the U.S. would face substantial levies, emphasizing that the new tariffs would take effect on April 2.
He also criticized the European Union and countries including Canada, Brazil, India, Mexico, and South Korea for what he called unfair trade practices.
“This system is not fair to the United States, and never was,” Trump stated, pledging that reciprocal tariffs would correct the imbalance.
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Trump claimed that the tariffs would generate “trillions of dollars” in revenue while creating jobs, positioning economic recovery as one of his top priorities.
Addressing concerns over inflation and cost-of-living pressures, he vowed to lower energy costs, cut federal spending, and introduce permanent income tax cuts.
Since returning to office, Trump has swiftly implemented tariffs targeting $1.4 trillion in U.S. imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, with additional levies expected.
The moves have rattled financial markets, prompting retaliatory measures from affected countries.
While economists warn that the sweeping tariffs could slow GDP growth and drive short-term inflation, Trump remains confident that tax cuts and deregulation will spur long-term economic expansion.
During his speech, he also criticized the CHIPS Act, a nearly $53 billion initiative aimed at boosting U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, signaling his administration’s focus on reshaping trade and industrial policies.
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