Quote from Alex bobby on March 6, 2025, 4:28 AM

Trump Defends Tariffs and Pledges More in Fiery Congressional Address

U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a forceful address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night, staunchly defending his administration’s recent imposition of tariffs on major U.S. trading partners and vowing to implement more in the coming weeks.

Tariffs and Trade Wars

During the speech, Trump justified the tariffs as a necessary measure to protect American industries and counter decades of what he described as unfair trade practices by other nations. Earlier in the day, the United States imposed 25% tariffs on exports from Canada and Mexico—its two largest trading partners—and doubled a previous 10% tariff on Chinese imports to 20%.

“Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades, and now it’s our turn,” Trump declared.

The announcement immediately sent shockwaves through financial markets, with U.S. stock indexes tumbling as investors feared retaliatory measures and a potential escalation into a full-scale trade war.

Trump further escalated tensions by pledging to introduce reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners starting April 2.

“Whatever they tariff us, we will tariff them,” he asserted. “Whatever they tax us, we will tax them.”

To further reinforce his protectionist agenda, Trump also declared his intention to impose a 25% tariff on aluminum, copper, lumber, and steel imports.

A Divisive Address Amidst Political Shifts

Six weeks into his second term, Trump used the high-profile speech to highlight sweeping policy changes and the reshaping of the federal government under his leadership.

Speaking with Vice President JD Vance and House Speaker Mike Johnson seated behind him, Trump proclaimed, “America is back,” triggering enthusiastic chants of “USA” from Republican lawmakers.

“Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this Capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the Golden Age of America. From that moment on, it has been nothing but swift and unrelenting action to usher in the greatest and most successful era in the history of our country,” he said.

He boasted that his administration had “accomplished more in 43 days than most administrations accomplished in four years or eight years.”

Since returning to office, Trump has signed nearly 80 executive orders, many of which are being legally challenged. His policies have sparked both praise and controversy, with the most notable actions including an immediate federal hiring freeze and mass layoffs within government agencies.

Border and Immigration Crackdown

Trump reaffirmed his commitment to strict border enforcement, touting his recent declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. He emphasized the deployment of military personnel and border patrol agents to “repel the invasion of our country.”

He also repeated an unverified claim that 21 million undocumented immigrants had entered the United States during the Biden administration.

Social Policy and Government Cuts

In addition to trade and immigration, Trump took time to champion a controversial executive order banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports. He also made remarks denying the existence of transgender youth, adding fuel to ongoing debates about LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

On the issue of government downsizing, Trump lauded Elon Musk, who has taken on the role of overseeing the newly created Department of Government Efficiency. Under Musk’s leadership, tens of thousands of government workers have been laid off, a move that Trump praised as a necessary step toward reducing bureaucratic waste.

“We will reclaim power from this unaccountable bureaucracy and restore true democracy to America again,” Trump said. He also warned that any federal employees resisting the administration’s changes would be “removed from office immediately.”

Democratic Response and Protests

Trump’s speech was met with significant resistance from Democratic lawmakers. Throughout his address, jeering from Democratic members could be heard, leading Speaker Johnson to order the removal of Representative Al Green from the chamber.

Several Democratic lawmakers staged a protest by wearing pink in opposition to Trump’s policies on women’s rights, while others walked out midway through the speech. Some chose to boycott the event altogether.

Following Trump’s address, Senator Elissa Slotkin delivered the Democratic rebuttal, urging Americans to stay politically engaged.

“It’s easy to be exhausted, but America needs you now more than ever. If previous generations had not fought for this democracy, where would we be today?” Slotkin asked.

She also took aim at the drastic federal cuts, stating, “We need a more efficient government. You want to cut waste? I’ll help you do it. But change doesn’t need to be chaotic or make us less safe.”

Foreign Policy and Global Relations

On the foreign policy front, Trump reaffirmed his decision to withdraw the U.S. from key international organisations and agreements. He announced a freeze on foreign aid and the country’s exit from the Paris Climate Accord, the World Health Organisation, and the U.N. Human Rights Council.

He also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, which began over three years ago with Russia’s invasion. Trump called for an end to the conflict and revealed that he had received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing willingness to negotiate peace.

“It’s time to stop this madness. It’s time to halt the killing. It’s time to end the senseless war,” Trump said.

His comments came just a day after the U.S. paused military aid to Ukraine, adding tension to recent diplomatic efforts. An Oval Office meeting with Zelenskyy last week reportedly ended without any concrete agreements.

Conclusion

Trump’s fiery address—lasting a record-breaking one hour and 40 minutes—offered a glimpse into the direction of his second term. While his base remains energized by his nationalist and protectionist policies, the deep divisions in Congress were on full display.

As the administration moves forward with its aggressive trade policies, federal overhauls, and foreign policy shifts, the coming months are likely to be pivotal in shaping America’s future on both the domestic and global stage.