Trump Admits Americans Might Feel ‘Pain’ From Tariffs in Truth Social Post

President Donald Trump admitted that Americans might feel the “pain” from his newly imposed tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday morning.

“Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!). But we will make America great again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid,” the president wrote in all caps.

Why It Matters

Trump declared an economic emergency on Saturday to place a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and Canada and an additional 10 percent tariff on China’s current tariffs. He also added a 10-percent duty on energy imported from Canada.

He says the measures are part of a crackdown on fentanyl and illegal immigration, something he promised he would crack down on while on the campaign trail last year.

Historically, countries have used tariffs for various purposes, including national security, protecting jobs and generating government revenue. However, modern trade agreements have reduced their prevalence, as many economists say they tend to disrupt global supply chains and increase consumer prices.

With these new tariffs, Americans could see higher prices on a range of goods from produce to alcohol to auto parts. Kimberly Clausing, an economist and a professor at the UCLA School of Law, previously told Newsweek: “Even very high tariffs could only replace a minority of the revenue raised by income taxation, and such high tariffs would cripple the economy.”

What To Know

After The Wall Street Journal‘s editorial board wrote an op-ed titled, “The Dumbest Trade War in History,” published Friday, Trump took to Truth Social to discuss the newspaper, calling it a “Tariff Lobby.”

The Journal‘s opinion piece said Mexico and Canada will “get hit with a 25% border tax, while China, a real adversary, will endure 10%…Leaving China aside, Mr. Trump’s justification for this economic assault on the neighbors makes no sense.”

The president wrote on Truth Social that the Journal “is working hard to justify Countries like Canada, Mexico, China, and too many others to name, continue the decades long RIPOFF OF AMERICA, both with regard to TRADE, CRIME, AND POISONOUS DRUGS that are allowed to so freely flow into AMERICA. THOSE DAYS ARE OVER!”

Trump then reassured Americans that his presidency would be “the golden age of America” and admitted that they might feel the “pain” from the tariffs, but that “it will all be worth” it.

“WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!” his post concluded.

Historically, countries have used tariffs for various purposes, including national security, protecting jobs and generating government revenue. However, modern trade agreements have reduced their prevalence, as many economists argue they tend to disrupt global supply chains and increase consumer prices.

What People Are Saying

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a press conference on Friday: “We have repeatedly stated our position on this matter. China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial and win-win. Differences and frictions should be resolved through dialogue and consultation. Trade wars and tariff wars have no winners, do not serve the interests of any party, and are not beneficial to the world.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Saturday: “This is a choice that, yes, will harm Canadians,” adding, “But beyond that, it will have real consequences for you, the American people.”

He added: “As I have consistently said, tariffs against Canada will put your jobs at risk, potentially shutting down American auto assembly plants and other manufacturing facilities. They will raise costs for you, including food at the grocery stores and gas at the pump. They will impede your access to an affordable supply of vital goods crucial for U.S. security, such as nickel, potash, uranium, steel and aluminum.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: “We categorically reject the White House’s slander against the Mexican government of having alliances with criminal organizations, as well as any intention of intervention in our territory.”

“Mexico does not want confrontation. We start from collaboration between neighboring countries…problems are not resolved by imposing tariffs, but by talking and dialoguing,” Sheinbaum said, however, adding, “I instruct the Secretary of Economy to implement Plan B that we have been working on, which includes tariff and non-tariff measures in defense of Mexico’s interests.”

What Happens Next

Trump’s new tariffs will begin on Tuesday.

Canada and Mexico have vowed to impose retaliatory tariffs, with Canada already announcing a 25 percent tariff on $155 billion of U.S. goods. Canada will first impose the tariffs on $30 billion of U.S. goods on Tuesday and then the rest of the $125 billion 21 days later.

Meanwhile, it’s not yet clear what Mexico’s retaliatory tariffs involve.

China said it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) for “wrong practices” of the U.S. and take other “countermeasures.”