Trump Can’t Guarantee Tariffs Won’t Raise Prices
Donald Trump stated that he cannot guarantee his proposed tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners will not result in higher prices for American consumers. During an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” which aired on Sunday, Trump addressed several topics, including monetary policy, immigration, abortion, health care, and U.S. involvement in international conflicts like those in Ukraine and Israel.
Trump admitted, “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” which seemed to acknowledge the reality that import levies often translate to costs passed on to consumers. Nonetheless, he continued to assert that tariffs will ultimately benefit the U.S. economy, claiming they are “going to make us rich.”
In the interview, Trump also reiterated his belief that he can utilize the legal system against rivals, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the investigation into Trump’s involvement in the Capitol siege on January 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his intention to pardon supporters convicted of participating in the riot, stating he would do this on his first day in office.
Further, he discussed his plans to enforce stricter immigration measures, highlighting his commitment to sealing the U.S.-Mexico border and deporting millions of undocumented immigrants through a mass deportation initiative.
Regarding government initiatives, Trump assured that the efficiency efforts led by prominent figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would not jeopardize Social Security. However, he did not provide specific details about abortion policies or his long-promised redesign of the Affordable Care Act, merely suggesting that he “probably” would not seek to restrict access to abortion pills.
As discussions surrounding tariffs and their potential impact on the economy continue, the implications for consumers remain uncertain. Trump’s positions on various issues indicate a complex and sometimes contradictory approach to balancing economic growth with affordability for American households.
