Image Credit: The White House / Facebook
By U.S. Representative John Rose (R-TN-District 6) –
President Trump has delivered on yet another promise to put America First and strengthen our economy and National Security for generations to come. I have witnessed the toll that unbalanced, misguided trade practices and unchecked foreign competition have taken on our workers, farmers, and manufacturers. Global trade has been rigged against American interests for too long, and President Trump finally stood up against unfair trade practices to put the interests of hardworking Americans first. That’s why I stand firmly in support of President Donald Trump’s trade policies, particularly this strategic use of tariffs to level the playing field and invest in the future of American manufacturing and production.
As a lifelong Tennessean and 8th-generation farmer, I know that you do have to crack a few eggs to make an omelet. Tariffs, when used wisely, are a powerful tool to protect American jobs, support our industries, and preserve national security. The idea of tariffs can be polarizing, but let’s make one thing clear: Tariffs are not about punishing our allies or starting trade wars. They are about putting the interests of the hardworking American people first.
During the Trump administration, we saw how a bold, America-first trade policy created tangible results for American workers. President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods were not a shot in the dark. They were a targeted effort to push back against a regime that has stolen intellectual property, manipulated currency, and abused trade rules to its own advantage. Those tariffs protected American manufacturers, incentivized reshoring, and forced China to the negotiating table to sign historic trade deals that opened up new opportunities for American farmers, technology companies, and manufacturers while also creating thousands of American jobs.
In Tennessee, we know the importance of manufacturing. We are home to major auto manufacturers, aerospace companies, and countless small businesses that drive the economy. For too long, foreign nations have had an unfair advantage over our industries. These countries manipulate currency, subsidize their industries, and ignore labor and environmental standards, all to flood our markets with underpriced, poorly made goods. These practices erode our economic base, kill American jobs, and desecrate entire sectors of our economy while also putting our freedom and security at risk. Tariffs help level that playing field and will help create a more stable economic future for us all.
When we import cheap products from countries that don’t play by the same rules, we threaten the livelihoods of our workers who play by the rules. The Trump administration’s tariffs were not just an economic strategy; they were a statement of strength. Thanks to President Trump, the U.S. government will no longer allow foreign countries to exploit American ingenuity and labor.
Critics will tell you that tariffs raise prices for consumers. But the truth is, the rising cost of living is more than just a result of tariffs. It is also the consequence of years of neglecting domestic production. Rather than relying on foreign suppliers who do not prioritize quality, safety, or fairness, we should invest in rebuilding our own industries, creating jobs here at home, and providing Americans with products made by American hands. The short-term price increase caused by tariffs is far outweighed by the long-term benefits of creating a more self-sufficient, stronger, and more prosperous nation.
Here’s the hard truth: the global economy is not a level playing field. America has been playing catch-up for too long, and it’s time to put America first. Tariffs are a tool, one of many, that the U.S. government can use to protect American interests and to ensure that trade benefits our workers, our farmers, and our families.
President Trump understands this better than anyone. His vision for the future of this country involved a fundamental shift in how we approach trade. By using tariffs strategically, he sent a message to the rest of the world: America is no longer a doormat. We will protect our industries, safeguard our jobs, and ensure that any deal made is a fair deal for the American people.
As your Congressman, I will continue to stand by the principles of fair trade, protection of American jobs, and the strategic use of tariffs. I believe in the power of American workers to outcompete anyone in the world when they are given a fair chance. And I will always stand with policies that empower you, the American people, to succeed.
It’s time to put America first again. It’s time to rebuild our industries, bring jobs back home, and make sure that our children and grandchildren inherit an economy that works for them, not against them.
That’s why I’m proud to support President Trump’s vision for a strong, independent America, one that is competitive in the global marketplace but never at the expense of the hardworking people who make this country great.
About the Author: John Rose is a congressman from Tennessee’s 6th Congressional District and a candidate for Tennessee governor.
