Trump’s emergency declaration cites the number of eye-opening jobs lost in a hollowed-out industry
White House spokesman Caroline Leavitt told Fox News that the Trump administration is “focusing on restoring America’s golden age and making America a manufacturing superpower.”
The Trump administration claims that the country’s 2024 record is eroding US manufacturing jobs as the country’s $1.2 trillion trade deficit is set to hit Wednesday with numerous customized tariffs.
president Donald Trump Announced a wave of tariffs at a ceremony at the White House Rose Garden for a wealthy American event on April 2, he said the new obligation would encourage an influx of work for American workers.
Trump and his administration have condemned trade practices in other countries and accused them of unfair trade practices against the United States. They also argue that tariffs will in turn help bring manufacturing jobs back to the US, and he and his administration are calling for the use of tariffs to address these trade practices.
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Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is on display after the American wealthy trade announcement event held at the White House on April 2, 2025. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“The large and sustainable annual US trade deficit has cried out from manufacturing bases. As a result, there was a lack of incentives to increase sophisticated domestic manufacturing capabilities. It has become a defence industrial base that undermines its critical supply chain and relies on foreign enemies.”
According to the White House fact sheet, US production output accounted for more than 28% of global production in 2001, but in 2023 that number exceeded 17%. Overall, the White House said the US lost a total of 5 million manufacturing jobs between 1997 and 2024.
The Trump administration’s tariff plan establishes a 10% baseline obligation on all imports into the United States, with customized tariffs being set for countries where higher tariffs are enforced on American goods. A 10% baseline tariff will come into effect on Saturday, while others will take effect on Wednesday.
White House Press Secretary after the announcement of new tariffs Karoline Leavitt He said almost 70 countries are reaching out to try to mediate trade contracts.
“The country is falling to reform unfair trade practices and (opens up) the market to our country,” Levitt told reporters Tuesday. “Why? Because these countries have great respect for the pure power of President Trump and the American market. We find that they have become filthy rich over the past decades by imposing significant tariffs on American-made products and substantial tariffs on outrageous non-financial barriers that block the American industry.”
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White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters that the country is lined up to try to renegotiate trade deals. (Reuters/Carlos Barrier)
“The jig is up,” Leavitt added. “A past American presidents sat down and let this happen. But President Trump stood up to our country, and he hasn’t said anything more.”
Trump’s tariff plans face scrutiny from both Congressional parties, including Texas’ Republican Sense and Kentucky’s Rand Paul.
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“Dutries are taxes on consumers, and I’m not a fan of jacking taxes on American consumers, so my hope is that these tariffs are short-lived and serve as leverage to lower tariffs around the world.”
A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a law called the 2025 Trade Review Act. The measure also requires that the duties expire 60 days later, unless Congress signs off on a joint resolution codified by the obligation.