Donald Trump, the President-elect, recently made it clear in an interview that he cannot guarantee that his proposed tariffs on crucial U.S. foreign trade partners will not impact American consumers with increased prices. Furthermore, he reiterated his belief that several political adversaries and federal officials engaging in legal pursuits against him should face imprisonment.
In the comprehensive discussion with NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Trump covered various topics, including monetary policy, immigration, abortion, health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel, and other regions. Throughout the interview, he fluctuated between making definitive statements and offering reservations, emphasizing that “things do change.”
One major point of discussion revolved around Trump’s stance on trade penalties. He has warned of extensive trade penalties in the past, but in the interview, he expressed skepticism towards economists’ predictions that such penalties could lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. However, he refrained from assuring that US households won’t face increased expenses.
Trump’s statements in the interview diverged from his campaign speeches in 2024, where he presented his election as a certain way to control inflation. He defended tariffs in general, asserting that they will “make us rich.” He promised to impose a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada on his first day in office, unless these nations satisfactorily halt illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs into the US. China also faces potential tariffs as a way to pressure the nation into curbing fentanyl production.
Trump also made a controversial suggestion that his opponents should face retribution, despite claiming no interest in revenge. He expressed conflicting views on how he would handle the justice system, given his own legal history. He maintained that members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters should be imprisoned. He also confirmed his intent to pardon supporters convicted for their roles in the riot.
Despite his inconsistent threats, many leading Democrats are considering blanket, preemptive pardons to safeguard key members of the outgoing Biden administration. However, Trump seemed to retract his campaign rhetoric of investigating Biden, stating, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.”
On the topic of immigration, Trump emphasized his commitment to sealing the U.S.-Mexico border and implementing a mass deportation program. He hinted at using executive action to abolish “birthright” citizenship, a protection enshrined in the Constitution. He expressed a willingness to collaborate with Congress for a possible solution for those brought into the country illegally as children. However, he maintained that to avoid breaking up families of mixed legal status, the entire family must be deported.
