Trump Defends Tariff Policy: “We Want to Build Tanks, Not T-Shirts”

Watan-U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his tariff policy is intended to boost domestic manufacturing of tanks and technological products—not sneakers and shirts.

Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey, Trump affirmed that he agrees with the April 29 remarks by Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, who said the United States does not necessarily need “a thriving textile industry.” Those comments were met with criticism from the National Council of Textile Organizations.

Trump stated:“We’re not looking to manufacture sneakers and shirts. We want to build military equipment. We want to build big things. We want to manufacture with artificial intelligence.”

He added:“Frankly, I’m not looking to manufacture shirts. I’m not looking to manufacture socks. We can do that very well elsewhere. What we’re focused on is making chips, computers, and many other things—tanks and ships.”

Steve Lamar, president of the association, said in a statement:“Since 97% of the clothes and shoes we wear are imported, and since apparel and footwear already face the highest tariff rates in the United States, we need to focus on practical solutions that can move things forward.”

He continued:“Imposing more tariffs would only raise input costs for U.S. manufacturers and lead to higher prices, which will hurt low-income consumers.”