Staff Reports
President Trump’s spokesperson Karoline Leavitt exposed Democratic hypocrisy on trade policy by highlighting decades-old warnings from Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer, and other Democrats about China’s unfair practices. Leavitt pointed out that Democrats now attack Trump’s 104% tariffs on China despite their own past demands for action.
In 1996, Nancy Pelosi declared on the House floor that America’s trade deficit with China was unsustainable, asking, “How many jobs have to be lost for American workers?” Chuck Schumer similarly warned in 2007 about the “crippling trade deficit” and urged action. Leavitt emphasized that Trump is finally doing what Democrats once demanded but now oppose purely out of partisan spite.
While Democrats previously criticized China’s trade abuses, they’ve switched to calling Trump’s tariffs “stupid and bad.” Leavitt mocked this reversal, noting Pelosi and Schumer’s sudden amnesia about their own dire warnings. She accused Democrats of prioritizing hatred for Trump over protecting American workers.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and House Republicans argued that Trump’s tariffs reverse decades of weak trade deals. They highlighted how countries like Brazil and the EU impose far higher tariffs on U.S. goods, putting American industries at a disadvantage. Republicans stressed that rebuilding U.S. manufacturing matters more than Wall Street’s stock market gains.
House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith emphasized that tariffs will help Main Street, not just wealthy investors. He noted that low-income Americans suffer most from unfair trade practices since they own little stock but rely on manufacturing jobs. Smith cited Angola and Honduras as examples of smaller nations buying more U.S. goods than the entire EU.
Leavitt blasted reporters for ignoring Trump’s negotiation tactics, quipping, “Many of you clearly missed The Art of the Deal.” She explained that over 75 countries rushed to negotiate with the U.S. after Trump announced tariffs, proving America’s economic strength under his leadership.
Leavitt directly called out Pelosi, stating, “Nancy Pelosi can thank President Trump today for the 104% retaliatory tariff.” She contrasted Pelosi’s 1996 demands for action with her current opposition, framing it as proof that Democrats care more about resisting Trump than solving problems.
While Democrats waffle, Trump’s tariffs have forced China to the negotiating table. Leavitt highlighted that Trump delayed tariffs on 75 nations after they agreed to talks, showing flexibility amid strength. This pause, combined with higher tariffs on China, pressures Beijing without harming cooperative allies.
Leavitt closed by tying Trump’s policies to blue-collar revival, noting that the U.S. lost millions of jobs to China under past leaders. She framed the tariffs as the first step in Trump’s plan to rebuild manufacturing and stop foreign exploitation—a goal Democrats once supported but now oppose out of sheer partisan spite.
