Washington, D.C. — April 7, 2025:
Former President Donald Trump defended his latest tariff proposals today, saying, “Sometimes you have to take the medicine,” as he responded to growing criticism from business groups and political opponents. Speaking during a live interview, Trump insisted that the tariffs were a necessary step to protect American industries and bring foreign nations back to the negotiating table.
“We have lots of countries dying to make a deal,” Trump said, emphasizing that the U.S. must show strength to secure better trade agreements. “They’ve been taking advantage of us for decades. That ends now.”
Trump’s comments come amid fresh economic concerns, as markets reacted cautiously to the announcement of new tariffs on a wide range of imports. Analysts warn that the measures could trigger retaliatory actions from trading partners, potentially escalating into broader trade tensions.
Despite the backlash, Trump remained confident, suggesting that short-term economic pain would lead to long-term gain. “You can’t fix a broken system without some tough choices,” he said.
More updates to follow as reactions pour in from international leaders, businesses, and lawmakers.
