In his speech to a joint session of Congress, President Donald Trump minimized the growing economic concerns around his newly announced tariffs.
“Tariffs are about making the United States back to rich and making the United States again,” Trump said. He later added: “There will be a bit of disturbance, but we agree with that. It will not be much.”
That was his only reference to the restlessness that tariffs could send the prices already increasing.
Concerns are not just conjectures, with retail giant leaders such as Target’s warning that US consumers will pay the price (higher). Even Trump’s allies, such as Senator Tommy Tuberville, republican of Ala., Admitted in an interview with ABC News Live on Tuesday “there will be some pain” in the consequences of Trump’s policy.
Democratic members of Congress hold signals while the president of the United States, Donald Trump, speaks during a speech to a joint session of Congress in the United States Capitol in Washington, DC, on March 4, 2025.
Saul Loeb/AFP through Getty Images
When voters cast their electoral tickets last November, economy and inflation were the main problems. The then candidate Trump promised the relief of high prices, committing to mark the beginning of a “Golden Age of America” on day 1. It was a message that helped Trump obtain more than 77 million votes.
However, more than 40 days after the beginning of their mandate, Americans are disbursing more effective for basic foods and other needs. Trump blamed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden.
“We inherit an economic catastrophe and an inflation nightmare from the last administration. Its policies increased energy prices, the costs of groceries rose and expelled the needs of life out of reach of millions and millions of Americans, “Trump said.
The refusal to recognize the potential impact of his actions is politically risky. The cost of living will not be less important for the American people. The constant reminder of increasing prices in the payment of the grocery store or the gas pump will not be easily forgotten. Price increases can be more than a “small disturbance” for those who try to reach the end of the month.
He could play in the hands of the Democrats, who have few resources in a Washington led by Republicans.
“The Americans who voted for the president did not sign up for this. They wanted lower costs, ”said Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-minn., Hours before Trump’s address. “‘What is the state of the union’, we ask? Chaos is up, corruption has increased and costs are up to regular people.
It was an argument repeated by the first year student Elissa Slotkin, Mich., In the democratic refutation.
“The prices of groceries and homes will not increase. He has not presented a credible plan to deal with any of those, “said Slotkin.” His tariffs in allies such as Canada will increase energy prices, wood and cars to begin a commercial war that will harm the manufacture and farmers. “
The consequences of the rate could become a scream of meeting for the Democrats, since they build a case against Trump before the middle of the period elections in the hope of claiming some power.
