‘You Can’t Just Live for Free Off of Us’ [WATCH]

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick defended the Trump administration’s new global tariff policy during an appearance on CNN Friday, countering claims from anchor Pamela Brown that the economic measures would result in increased consumer costs and harm to everyday Americans.

The back-and-forth took place during a live segment in which Brown questioned the administration’s sweeping new tariffs targeting over 60 countries.

The tariffs, announced earlier in the week, are part of President Donald Trump’s broader economic agenda aimed at rebalancing international trade and protecting American industries.

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Brown cited a report from Goldman Sachs that claimed tariffs imposed during President Trump’s first term led to price increases on certain goods. “We did see prices rise,” she said, referencing the analysis by the investment bank.

In response, Lutnick pushed back on the suggestion that tariffs led to widespread inflation, pointing to the historically low inflation rates seen during Trump’s first term. He stated how she was ignoring the “lowest inflation ever” that resulted from those actions.

Brown continued by asserting that the manufacturing sector had entered what she called a “mild recession” during the Trump administration’s prior tariff push. She questioned whether the current round of tariffs would result in broader economic pain.

“What gives you so much certainty that this is going to work and isn’t going to hurt the everyday American?”

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Lutnick responded by emphasizing that the new tariffs are a response to existing trade barriers imposed by other nations, most notably China.

“The largest tariff and trade barrier country in the world is China. And they don’t have inflation. So these things don’t occur the way people suggest they do.”

He continued by arguing that the long-term goal is a global trade realignment.

“This is a reordering of global trade for the benefit of America”

“These people have all been living in our house,” Lutnick added. “They’ve been driving our car. They come by and open our fridge and eat our food whenever they want. They’ve taken advantage of us. Today was the day of the beginning of saying, ‘I’m sorry, you can’t just live for free off of us. You have to pay.’”

He concluded with a prediction that the American economy would benefit long-term.

“What’s going to happen is, the United States of America is going to get stronger. Our economy will grow much, much faster than the rest of the world.”

Joining Lutnick on cable news was White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who reinforced the administration’s position. She called on financial markets and business leaders to support the president’s approach.

“This is a president who is doubling down on his proven economic formula from his first term,” Leavitt said. “This is indeed a national emergency… and it’s about time we have a president who actually does something about it.”

Despite concerns raised by some economists and media outlets, the White House has pointed to examples of bipartisan support for targeted tariffs. As noted by administration officials, former Biden Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated in 2024 that tariffs on China would not result in significant consumer price increases.

The administration maintains that the new tariffs are a necessary correction to years of unbalanced trade and foreign exploitation of the American economy. The impact of the measures will continue to be monitored as implementation moves forward.

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