‘Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe … it will all be worth the price that must be paid,’ Trump said.
President Donald Trump on Feb. 2 defended his move to impose sweeping tariffs on the top three U.S. trading partners, acknowledging that the actions could cause “some pain” for Americans in the economic fallout.
On Saturday, Trump imposed 25 percent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on China, citing unfair trading deficits and his wish to curb illegal immigration and illicit fentanyl trafficking. Opponents say the tariffs, scheduled to start on Feb. 4, will likely spur a global trade war.
Trump defended his actions, saying the United States is losing “trillions of dollars” in its trade deals with the three nations. He emphasized there are no tariffs if companies make their products in the United States.
“This will be the golden age of America! Will there be some pain? yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will make American great again and it will all be worth the price that must be paid,” Trump wrote in a post on his social media platform, TruthSocial, in all capital letters.
“We are a country that is now being run with common sense—and the results will be spectacular!!!”
“We pay hundreds of Billions of Dollars to SUBSIDIZE Canada,” Trump wrote in a follow-up post minutes later. “Why? There is no reason. We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country. Harsh but true! Therefore, Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada—AND NO TARIFFS!”
Canadian leaders have rejected Trump suggestions that the country become a U.S. state.
While Canadian energy imports will only be subjects to a 10 percent levy, Trump’s orders do not contain exceptions and include a clause warning of increases if any country retaliates.
The three nations all responded swiftly.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Feb. 1 that his nation will impost 25 percent tariffs on more than $100 billion of U.S. goods. Pierre Poilievre, leader of Canada’s Conservative Party and a likely successor to Trudeau, described Trump’s tariffs as “unjust and unjustified,” calling for a “dollar-for-dollar” response by Canada.
In a post written in Spanish on social media platform X, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she is working on a response to defend Mexico’s interests but has not yet given specific steps.
However, she suggested that the United States is partially to blame for the flow of illicit drugs over the border and called for its government to do more in addressing the “serious consumption of fentanyl in their country,” according to a translation of her post. She also lauded the Mexican government’s efforts to seize large quantities of the drug before it reaches the United States.
In China, its Ministry of Commerce vowed to file a legal case against the United States with the World Trade Organization.
By Jacob Burg
