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Donald Trump assured this Friday that tariffs have generated wealth, reduced the trade deficit, and strengthened the national security of the United States, but official statistics and recent surveys contradict the optimism of the official discourse.
In a message released by the White House on X, Trump described the tariffs as an “overwhelming benefit” for the country and warned that losing the ability to impose them would be “a terrible blow” for the United States.
The president reiterated the idea on his social media platform Truth Social, where he stated that the trade deficit would have been reduced by 60%, that the GDP is growing by 4.3%, and that "there is no inflation."
However, the official data itself presents a more nuanced picture. The consumer price index rose by 2.7% year-on-year through November, indicating a slowdown but not the disappearance of inflation.
This is compounded by a negative social perception. A recent Gallup survey revealed that only 36% of Americans approve of Trump's administration, while 74% express dissatisfaction with the state of the country, primarily due to the economy.
On social media, the reactions to the presidential message focused on its direct impact on consumers.
Several users recalled that tariffs act as an indirect tax that ultimately is borne by the population.
Some estimates mentioned in the comments suggest an additional annual cost of between $1,400 and $2,600 per family, while others compared the trade policy to failed historical episodes such as the Smoot-Hawley Act during the Great Depression (1929-1933).
External analyses reinforce these criticisms. The Tax Foundation estimates that tariffs could generate $158.4 billion in 2025 and $207.5 billion in 2026, significant figures but insufficient to cover proposals such as sending $2,000 checks to millions of Americans, an idea that Trump has brought back to the table.
JPMorgan also estimates that consumers bear about 20% of the actual cost of tariffs, which contradicts the official narrative that the impact falls on foreign exporters.
Even within the Republican Party, there are reservations. Legislators like Ron Johnson and Andy Biggs have warned that the projected deficit, close to two trillion dollars, limits the ability to convert tariff revenues into direct relief for families.
Others, like Rick Scott, propose to allocate those funds exclusively for the repayment of the national debt, which exceeds 37 trillion dollars.
While the White House insists on presenting tariffs as a tool for prosperity and national strength, the figures on inflation, presidential approval, and the burden on consumers suggest an ongoing debate about who truly bears the cost of this policy and whether its benefits outweigh the impact on the wallets of Americans.
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