Trump: The aggressive use of tariffs has been justified by US President Donald Trump, who claims that trade sanctions are necessary to safeguard US national security and address decades-long economic imbalances with both friends and foes.

Recounting talks with foreign leaders, Trump said, “I’m imposing on you a tariff 42 times more expensive than what I’m asking for you in return.” “Medical security is the reason for this.”

During his explanation of his strategy, Trump specifically mentioned China. He said, “You have the option of having a 25% tariff imposed on you, similar to what I did with China regarding fentanyl.” “I imposed a 20% penalty tax on China, but it is drying up because the tax is much higher than fentanyl.”

He said that tariffs were already bringing in a significant sum of money. Trump said, “We’re going to have over $650 billion poured into our country or coming in shortly because of tariffs.”

Trump claimed that tens of billions of dollars in previously uncollected cash were found via tariff enforcement. He said, “We were missing $39 billion, not million, plus $39 billion.” “We’ve received $650 billion or shortfall.”

He presented military preparedness and trade strategy as being inextricably linked. Trump said that tariffs were the reason for national security and that the matter was on its way to the Supreme Court.

Additionally, Trump linked tariffs to discussions over medication prices, arguing that US pressure compelled other countries to reevaluate the price of prescription drugs. He said, “France was informed that the pill will cost between $10 and $30.”

Pharmaceutical companies eventually obliged, he said. “I struck a deal with the pharmaceutical companies,” Trump said. “Nations posed a greater threat than pharmaceutical companies.”

Trump said that the world was subsidized by earlier administrations. He said, “We were subsidizing the entire world.” “We were giving a lot of different things.”

The president brushed aside doubts about the efficacy of the approach. “It’s good if you have the right president,” Trump said.

One of the main tenets of Trump’s economic policy has been tariffs. Courts are considering whether tariffs may be justified under national security legislation, which has sparked legal challenges and controversy about presidential power.