Trump: 'Tariff Us, We Will Tariff You'

LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- President Donald Trump said during his speech before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday night that his administration will continue to use tariffs and expand energy production as a way to create fair trade and to combat the cost of living by making energy cheaper for American families.

Trump's tariffs levied against China, Mexico and Canada have taken center stage in rural America, where farmers already are looking for relief from low commodity prices and high input prices and raising questions about where new markets will emerge.

The current debate in rural America centers on whether the Trump tariffs will exacerbate problems in agriculture or level the playing field with trading partners across the world who already have in place tariffs on U.S. ag products.

Early on Tuesday, China announced retaliatory tariffs against U.S. ag products in response to a 10% tariff slapped on all Chinese imports into the U.S., https://www.dtnpf.com/….

"Other countries have used tariffs against us for decades," Trump said. "This system is not fair to the United States. Whatever they tariff us, we tariff them. Whatever they tax us, we tax them. If they do non-monetary tariffs to keep us out of their market, then we do non-monetary barriers to keep them out of our market. We will take in trillions of dollars and create jobs like we have never seen before."

Trump said U.S. farmers should be ready to sell more of their products at home.

"Our farmers, starting on April 2, there may be a little bit of an adjustment period," Trump said about the date for more tariffs taking effect.

"To our farmers, have a lot of fun, I love you too."

Trump said that expanding energy production will be a centerpiece of his economic plan to bring down the cost of living.

Though there are many challenges facing farmers and ranchers, the price of eggs has become a poster child for the effects of inflation and higher energy prices.

The Trump administration in recent weeks announced a new plan on how to combat the spread of bird flu, https://www.dtnpf.com/….

"(Former President) Joe Biden especially let the price of eggs get out of control, and we are working hard to get it back down," Trump said.

"A major focus of our fight to defeat inflation is rapidly reducing the cost of energy. The previous administration cut the number of new oil and gas leases by 95%, slowed pipeline construction to a halt and closed more than 100 power plants. We have never seen anything like it. My administration is also working on a gigantic natural gas pipeline in Alaska, among the largest in the world, where Japan, South Korea and other nations want to be our partner with trillions of dollars being spent by them. It will truly be spectacular."

After 43 days in office, Trump told Congress his administration has accomplished more in that time than most administrations do in four years.

"Six weeks ago, I stood beneath the dome of this capitol and proclaimed the dawn of the golden age of America," Trump said. "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. I return to this chamber tonight to report that America's momentum is back. Our spirit is back. Our pride is back. Our confidence is back. And the American dream is surging bigger and better than ever before."

Trump's speech was interrupted early on by Democratic Rep. Al Green of Texas who stood up and confronted Trump. After refusing to sit and allow Trump to continue, Green was escorted from the chamber by the House sergeant at arms at the order of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

Trump followed the action by Johnson by calling Biden the "worst president in history" as some Democrats sat holding signs that read "Musk Steals" among other statements in what was a contentious atmosphere at the capitol.

Trump said his administration is focused on eliminating the "flagrant waste of taxpayer dollars" through the work of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and went on to list some of what he and Elon Musk, who Trump said on Tuesday evening heads the department, claim are "hundreds of billions dollars of fraud."

Trump said his administration is taking back federal dollars identified as fraudulent and paying down the debt and to balance the federal budget.

Although not mentioned by Trump in his speech, permanent year-round E15 sales nationally has become a rallying point for agriculture and biofuels producers alike.

Ahead of the speech, Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said in a statement to DTN that an E15 fix is important to farmers.

"America's ethanol producers and farmers stand ready to play a major role in President Trump's agenda for American energy independence," Cooper said.

"Expanding access to E15 fuel will not only create a stronger internal market for American farmers but will also boost domestic fuel production, lower costs for consumers and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. We look forward to working with President Trump and Congress to ensure Americans can take advantage of everything E15 and biofuels have to offer."

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

Follow him on social platform X @DTNeeley

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