### White House Struggles to Defend Rising Tariffs as Economic Anxiety Grows
The White House faced tough questions during a press conference as Americans grow increasingly concerned about the economic impact of steep tariffs on Chinese goods, which are driving up prices. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent attempted to downplay fears, but tensions flared when asked about Amazon potentially adding tariff costs at checkout. Leavitt accused Amazon of a “hostile and political act,” referencing a 2021 report about the company’s business dealings in China—though the relevance was unclear. Amazon later clarified that it would not implement such a tariff surcharge, despite earlier reports. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly called Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express frustration, later praising him for “solving the problem quickly.”
### Supply Chain Fears and Economic Fallout Deepen
As consumer confidence drops for the fifth consecutive month, supply chain disruptions loom, with Chinese shipments to the U.S. slowing dramatically. Treasury Secretary Bessent dismissed concerns, claiming businesses had prepared for the tariffs—an assertion that ignores the difficulty of rapidly replacing Chinese suppliers. Major companies like Adidas and UPS are already reacting, with UPS cutting 20,000 jobs due to declining Amazon shipments. Despite Trump’s claims of imminent trade deals with Japan, India, and China, no concrete agreements have materialized, and China has denied any negotiations. Even Trump-friendly Fox News is showing skepticism, with host Dana Perino warning of the devastating impact on small businesses.
### Beyond Tariffs: Trump’s Broader Assault on Democracy
While tariffs dominate headlines, the Trump administration continues to escalate authoritarian measures, including crackdowns on immigrants, political dissidents, and even judges. A recent PRRI poll found that 52% of Americans view Trump as a “dangerous dictator,” and his approval ratings remain dismal. With Trump hinting at refusing to leave office after 2028, the economic and political turmoil shows no signs of easing—leaving many Americans to regret the decision to re-elect him.
Ez a cikk a Neural News AI (V1) verziójával készült.