President Donald Trump lashed out at “dumb, pathetic, and crooked politicians” in a scathing rant Thursday morning defending his unpopular tariffs.
For months, Trump has threatened to impose costly tariffs on imports from other countries, including many of the U.S.’s top trading partners. Business leaders, economists and experts have warned that these tariffs will only drive up costs for U.S. consumers, despite Trump’s claims they will drive revenue for the U.S.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have criticized his tariffs as some warn prices could tick back up again if Trump continues to levy these taxes. Trump defended his tariff plan in an early morning Truth Social post on Thursday.
“Tariffs are making America GREAT & RICH Again. They were successfully used against the USA for decades and, coupled with really dumb, pathetic, and crooked politicians, we’re having a devastating impact on the future, and even the survival, of our country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Now the tide has completely turned, and America has successfully countered this onslaught of Tariffs used against it. ONE YEAR AGO, AMERICA WAS A DEAD COUNTRY, NOW IT IS THE “HOTTEST”COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!” he added.
Trump announced Wednesday that he would be imposing a 25% tariff on imports from India because its tariffs on U.S. products “are far too high.” He also announced other tariff updates, including tariffs on Brazil, copper and shipments of goods worth less than $80 and a reduced 15% tax on imports from South Korea.
Trump on Wednesday also signed separate orders to tax imports of copper at 50% and justify his 50% tariffs on Brazil due to their criminal prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro and treatment of U.S. social media companies. Trump also signed an order saying that government now had the systems in place to close the tariff loophole on “de minimis” shipments, which had enabled goods priced under $800 to enter America duty-free, largely from China.
The South Korea agreement will impose a 15% tariff, instead of the 25% Trump had threatened. South Korea would also buy $100 billion in energy resources from the U.S. and provide $350 billion for “investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as president,” Trump said.
There is also an agreement with Pakistan that includes the development of its oil reserves. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent briefed Trump on trade talks with China.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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