Trump Acknowledges Tariff Impact Amid Economic Concerns

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump acknowledged Wednesday that his tariffs could lead to fewer and more expensive products for American consumers, specifically noting that children might have “two dolls instead of 30 dolls.” He emphasized that he believes China will bear the greater burden of this trade war.

During a Cabinet meeting, Trump attempted to reassure Americans anxious about the economy, which contracted in the first three months of the year, according to a recent government report. He suggested that while tariffs could increase costs for consumers, they were necessary to put pressure on China.

“You know, somebody said, ‘Oh, the shelves are going to be open,’” Trump said. “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls. So maybe the two dolls will cost a couple bucks more than they would normally.” His comments came after the Commerce Department revealed a decline in gross domestic product, largely attributed to a surge in imports.

Democrats quickly responded, using the GDP report to argue that Trump’s policies could push the economy into a recession. Rep. Suzan DelBene from Washington pointed out that manufacturers rely heavily on parts from China to produce goods. DelBene described Trump’s trade strategy as a misunderstanding of what businesses need for successful operations.

Trump attributed stock market drops on Wednesday to his predecessor, saying, “This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s,” while insisting that his tariffs would lead to new investments in the U.S.

The president’s economic messaging reflects conflicting narratives. He praises growth in corporate investment while simultaneously attributing negative market reactions to policies from the previous administration. White House trade adviser Peter Navarro downplayed the GDP drop, labeling it a temporary issue caused by higher imports.

Despite mixed data, Trump planned to highlight positive aspects of the economy in remarks later in the day, underscoring an effort to frame the narrative surrounding his administration’s economic performance.