Staff Reports
President Trump delivered a fiery rebuke to a reporter Thursday during a press conference about his sweeping new tariff plan. “I was fighting lunatics like you,” Trump said with a smirk, dismissing the journalist’s question about potential economic backlash. The exchange highlighted Trump’s no-nonsense approach to challenging media narratives.
The tariffs – set to take effect August 7 – impose country-specific rates as high as 41% on imports from nations refusing fair trade deals. India faces the harshest rate, 25%, following Trump’s threat earlier this week. Goods from Canada, Mexico, and China will maintain separate duties.
Trump made clear the move targets nations exploiting American markets. “We won’t let global freeloaders steal our jobs anymore,” he declared. A baseline 10% tax applies to unspecified countries, while goods from compliant partners like the EU, Japan, and South Korea get lighter rates.
The reporter’s question about corporate stock market reactions provoked Trump’s pointed response. “You focus on wrong metrics,” he snapped. “This isn’t about Wall Street – it’s about American workers.” Supporters hailed the shot as a victory for truth-telling.
Critics warn the tariffs could trigger global trade wars, but Trump supporters argue previous administrations sparked this imbalance. “Years of bad deals made this necessary,” one backer told media. The policy prioritizes domestic industry over multinational interests.
Liberal voices in media have condemned the tariffs as “reckless,” but Trump team insiders say this strategy won his first election and will work again. Historic agreements with key allies during the tariff pause suggest a calculated approach.
Conservatives celebrated the move as bold leadership. “No other politician fights this hard for America,” a Trump campaign spokesperson said. The tariffs enforce long-promised “America First” policies.
As opponents brace for legal battles, Trump remains defiant. “We’ll protect this country whether the elites like it or not,” he vowed. The tariffs mark the latest step in his broader agenda to reclaim economic sovereignty.
