The media is in full meltdown mode after President Trump imposed duties and retaliatory tariffs this week on countries who have been ripping us off for decades. Apparently, globalists and Democrats are just fine with other countries imposing tariffs on U.S. exports. But, when it comes to President Trump trying to establish a level playing field for domestic producers, well, that’s a bridge too far.
No one should be remotely surprised by President Trump’s actions. He campaigned on this platform three times and has been crystal clear on his intentions – now he is following through on his promises. He views tariffs both as a negotiating tool to get other countries to bend to his will and as a way to boost American manufacturing and put America First.
President Trump has his work cut out for him after the disastrous past four years under President Biden. The Biden administration made it clear to our friends and foes alike that the globalist agenda would take precedent over the safety and wellbeing of the American people.
Thankfully, those days are over. The American people gave President Donald J. Trump a clear mandate to restore our country’s superpower status and put America First. That starts with securing our borders. That’s why President Trump threatened to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada last week unless they start working with the U.S. to secure our borders and stop the flow of fentanyl into our nation.
Over the past four years, the Mexican government turned a blind eye while caravans of illegal aliens flowed through Mexico into the United States. Thousands of women and children were trafficked and raped along the way. Drug cartels were uninhibited from smuggling illicit drugs across the border. That is, until President Trump re-entered the White House on January 20.
President Trump correctly understands that Mexico’s economy is heavily dependent on its trade relationship with the U.S. In fact, more than 80 percent of Mexico’s exports come to the United States. Mexico’s economy would almost instantly feel the effects of a 25 percent tariff, leaving Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum no choice but to come to the negotiating table with master dealmaker Donald Trump. As a result, within hours of President Trump’s announcement, Mexico caved by agreeing to start helping the United States secure the border and crack down on the cartel issue.
Our neighbor to the North also caved to President Trump after a 25 percent tariff was threatened on Canadian imports. Not only are illicit drugs like fentanyl coming into our country from Mexico, but there has also been a 2,050 percent increase from FY 2023 in drugs coming across our Northern Border. In the last fiscal year alone, enough fentanyl was seized at our Northern Border to kill 9.8 million Americans. This is a serious problem.
Thanks to President Trump, our North American neighbors to the North and South are making changes that will protect American citizens from deadly drugs, criminals, and human traffickers.
In addition to using tariffs as a negotiating tool, President Trump also views tariffs as a way to right the wrongs of past, ineffective trade deals. That’s why this week he is imposing a 25 percent tariff on steel and aluminum.
Contrary to what the media would tell you, this isn’t unprecedented. In fact, President Trump has helped shine a light on the fact that U.S. exporters face higher tariffs more than two-thirds of the time. For example, among our major trading partners, China applies higher tariffs on 85% of U.S. products and India on 90%.
These export imbalances don’t just impact bottom lines—they also discourage domestic production. One report conducted by the Department of Commerce in the first Trump administration found that excess production and capacity, particularly in China, has been a major factor in the decline of domestic aluminum production.
As we learned during COVID, the U.S. shouldn’t be reliant on other countries for things we could be making right here at home. The United States does not want to be in a position where it would be unable to meet demand for national defense and critical infrastructure in a national emergency. Not to mention the fact that we produce some of the cleanest steel in the world.
The tariffs being imposed this week are an important step in President Trump’s plan to restore fairness to trade, boost domestic manufacturing and put American consumers and producers first. America has some of the best and brightest manufacturers, producers, farmers, and businesses. We shouldn’t be going to other countries for products we can make right here at home.
Three weeks into his presidency, President Trump is keeping his promises to strengthen and revitalize our nation’s economy, stem the flow of illicit drugs and illegal immigration, and make sure our trade deals are fair for taxpayers and the American worker. President Trump is utilizing every tool at his disposal, including tariffs, to usher in the Golden Age of America.
Tommy Tuberville is the senior United States senator from Alabama, a seat he has held since 2021. Before entering politics, Tuberville worked in college football as a coach. He led Ole Miss (1995-98), Auburn (1999-2008), Texas Tech (2010-12) and Cincinnati (2013-16).
