The President of the United States, Donald Trump, acknowledged on Wednesday that his tariff policy could result in more expensive and less accessible products for Americans, especially for children.
"Perhaps children will have two dolls instead of 30, and they will cost a few dollars more," she stated, while insisting that China will be the most affected by the new escalation of its trade war.
According to the news agency AP, such statements arose amid a concerning economic landscape as the U.S. Department of Commerce reported that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, raising alarms about a possible recession.
Trump, however, downplayed the report and doubled down on his rhetoric: he blamed former President Joe Biden for the negative market reaction and defended tariffs as a tool to "regain control" and attract new investments.
During a cabinet meeting held at the White House, Trump stated that the tariffs imposed on China, which have now reached 145%, were causing a collapse in the factories of the Asian giant, and he maintained that the United States did not need to import products.
"Our shelves are not going to be empty; there will simply be less variety," he stated, downplaying the impact on the average consumer.
Meanwhile, the president used his social media to distance himself from the poor stock market performance: “This is Biden's market, not Trump's,” he wrote.
He assured that "the rates will start to take effect soon" and that more and more companies are relocating their operations to U.S. territory, something that, according to him, will drive the "economic boom" he promised for his second term.
However, the figures and the context contradict their optimism. Analysts emphasize that the growth in consumption in the U.S. during the first quarter was, in part, due to an effort to make purchases ahead of increased prices on imported goods due to tariffs, noted AP.
At the same time, industrial sectors fear that the rising costs of parts and components will impact local production in a country that remains highly dependent on global supply chains, the agency noted.
Democrats and experts were quick to respond. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, a Democratic representative from Washington state, accused Trump of promoting "haphazard policies" that are already having harmful effects.
"Chaos and dysfunction will not attract investment. A strong economy requires stability and certainty. We are not seeing that," he stated.
Others noted that many of the investments Trump tries to claim, such as those from TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) in Arizona, were made possible by programs launched during Biden's administration, such as the CHIPS and Science Act, which injected more than $6 billion into the sector.
Still, Trump insisted: “They are building because of the tariffs.”
During a nighttime appearance on the NewsNation channel, Trump stated that he does not regret his decisions in his first 100 days in office.
"I believe I can convince people of how good this is," he declared, referring to his trade policy.
The economist Heather Boushey, former advisor to the Biden White House, was unequivocal: “In just 100 days, Trump has taken the U.S. economy from stable growth to a negative GDP. This decline is directly due to the inconsistency of his economic policies.”
However, Trump recently stated, "My entire economic agenda is aimed at making it easier to do business in the United States, creating jobs, hiring American workers, and building factories here in the United States, not in China or any other country."
Trade relations between China and the United States are entering a new phase of tension and confusion.
While U.S. President Donald Trump asserted this week that both powers are engaged in active negotiations to reduce the high tariffs imposed on each other, from Beijing they categorically deny that any discussions are ongoing.
On the other hand, in April, the Chinese government responded decisively to the new tariff escalation announced by the President of the United States, Donald Trump, intensifying the trade conflict between the two largest economies in the world.
According to a report by CNN en Español, “the United States' threat to raise tariffs on China is one mistake after another,” stated China's Ministry of Commerce in an official announcement. “China will never accept it. If the United States insists on going its own way, China will fight to the end.”
Frequently asked questions about Trump's tariff policy and its impact on the U.S. and China
How does Trump's tariff policy affect American consumers?
Trump's tariff policy could result in more expensive and less accessible products for Americans. This is especially true for products imported from China, which face tariffs of up to 145%. As a result, consumers may pay more for items such as toys, clothing, and electronics, and encounter less variety in stores.
What impact do tariffs have on the U.S. economy according to Trump?
Trump argues that tariffs will help regain control and attract new investments to the United States. According to him, these measures will spark an "economic boom" by promoting domestic production and creating jobs. However, analysts point out that, in the short term, tariffs may increase the cost of imported goods and negatively impact the economy due to reliance on global supply chains.
What is China's stance on the tariffs imposed by Trump?
China has responded to Trump's tariffs with equivalent measures, escalating the trade war. Beijing imposed a 125% tariff on U.S. goods and warned that these measures "undermine the legitimate rights and interests of all countries." Furthermore, the Chinese government has shown a willingness to confront Trump's measures, which has heightened trade tensions between both powers.
What consequences could tariffs have on the availability of products in the U.S.?
Tariffs Could Lead to Shortages of Certain Products in the U.S. Retailers warn that, with such high tariffs, many imported products from China could become scarce in stores, especially during peak demand seasons like back-to-school or Christmas. The reduction in the variety and availability of products could impact consumers who rely on imports for everyday goods.
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