In a recent interview, President-elect Trump acknowledged that he could not assure Americans they would not face higher costs due to the tariffs he plans to implement on imported goods.
During the discussion with Kristen Welker on “Meet the Press,” he dismissed ongoing warnings from economists that tariffs imposed on countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China would lead to increased prices for American consumers, expressing skepticism about their predictions.
When Welker pressed him, asking if he could guarantee that American families wouldn’t see a rise in prices, Trump replied, “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow. But I can say that if you look at my — just pre-COVID, we had the greatest economy in the history of our country.”
Trump claims tariffs can solve economic issues while addressing concerns over costs
Welker highlighted that U.S. companies like Walmart and Stanley Black & Decker have indicated that tariffs would necessitate price hikes. Trump countered this by reiterating his belief that tariffs would stimulate economic growth.
He explained, “They also solve another problem. If we were going to have problems having to do with wars and having to do with other things, tariffs — I have stopped wars with tariffs by saying, ‘You guys want to fight, it’s great. But both of you are going to pay tariffs to the United States at 100 percent.’”
Trump emphasized that tariffs, when applied correctly, serve as a potent tool not just for economic purposes but also for achieving broader objectives. Recently, he has threatened to impose tariffs on Canada and Mexico, two of the United States’ largest trading partners, unless they take stronger measures to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking.
Trump mentioned having a phone conversation with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and noted that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited him at Mar-a-Lago shortly after the tariff threats were made.
For several months, the president-elect has advocated for sweeping tariffs on all imports, a strategy that economists warn could increase costs for American consumers as businesses pass on these expenses. Nevertheless, Trump has brushed aside these worries, asserting that the tariffs would encourage more companies to operate within the U.S.
