By Zach Jewell. Media: DailyWire.com
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stood before reporters on Monday and listed off multiple tariffs imposed on American products by foreign nations, arguing that the “unfair trade practices” need to come to an end.
Leavitt pointed to massive tariffs from the European Union, Japan, India, and Canada, saying, “It’s time for reciprocity.” President Donald Trump is preparing to announce a round of reciprocal tariffs on April 2, a day he has labeled “Liberation Day in America.”
“If you look at the unfair trade practices that we have: 50% from the European Union on American dairy. You have a 700% tariff from Japan on American rice. You have a 100% tariff from India on American agricultural products. You have nearly a 300% tariff from Canada on American butter and American cheese,” Leavitt said, holding up a chart on a piece of paper. “This makes it virtually impossible for American products to be imported into these markets, and it puts a lot of Americans out of business and out of work over the past several decades.”
Countries often impose tariffs on foreign goods to protect industries that are vital to their economies. As the world’s largest economic powerhouse, the United States has allowed foreign imports to flood its markets while American exports have been on the receiving end of stiff tariffs. The Trump administration argues that the tariff discrepancy is unfair and hurts American companies and workers. Leavitt promised that Trump will bring “historic change” to America’s trade relationships with his actions on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, these countries have been ripping off our country for far too long,” the press secretary said. “And they’ve made their disdain, I think, for the American worker quite clear.”
Last week, Trump credited tariffs for bringing manufacturing jobs to American soil after South Korean carmaker Hyundai announced it will invest $21 billion in the United States over the next four years. Other major foreign companies, such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Japan’s SoftBank, recently announced multi-billion-dollar investments in U.S. manufacturing.
As Trump gears up to impose more tariffs on foreign trade partners, the White House is trying to calm fears about the tariffs putting more financial strain on Americans. During an interview with Shannon Bream on “Fox News Sunday,” White House senior counselor for trade and manufacturing Peter Navarro said that “foreigners are going to eat most” of the tariff burden.
“They have to; we’re the biggest market in the world, Shannon,” he added. “And they have to be here. They have to be here. And so they’re going to cut their prices to absorb that.”
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