President Donald Trump reacted to a recent Washington Post report on Monday that claimed he would not impose tariffs as he had previously vowed.
Trump accused the outlet of spewing “fake news” in a post to his Truth Social profile.
“The story in the Washington Post, quoting so-called anonymous sources, which don’t exist, incorrectly states that my tariff policy will be pared back. That is wrong. The Washington Post knows it’s wrong. It’s just another example of Fake News,” he wrote.
The Post article Trump referred to was written by Jeff Stein, indicating the Trump administration’s plans to change its tariff efforts to enforce increased costs on foreign goods.
“President-elect Donald Trump’s aides are exploring tariff plans that would be applied to every country but only cover critical imports, three people familiar with the matter said — a key shift from his plans during the 2024 presidential campaign,” Stein wrote.
“If implemented, the emerging plans would pare back the most sweeping elements of Trump’s campaign plans but still would be likely to upend global trade and carry major consequences for the U.S. economy and consumers,” he added.
The report was based on anonymous sources which Trump has decried as fake.
Trump has repeatedly spoken out on the importance of increasing tariffs on imported products, including in a Jan. 1 post on Truth Social.
“The Tariffs, and Tariffs alone, created this vast wealth for our Country. Then we switched over to Income Tax. We were never so wealthy as during this period. Tariffs will pay off our debt and, MAKE AMERICA WEALTHY AGAIN!” he wrote.
Trump wrote following his presidential win in November that he plans to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office.
Trump shared the news on his Truth Social account in multiple posts related to the topic.
“As everyone is aware, thousands of people are pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing Crime and Drugs at levels never seen before. Right now a Caravan coming from Mexico, composed of thousands of people, seems to be unstoppable in its quest to come through our currently Open Border. On January 20th, as one of my many first Executive Orders, I will sign all necessary documents to charge Mexico and Canada a 25% Tariff on ALL products coming into the United States, and its ridiculous Open Borders,” Trump wrote.
“This Tariff will remain in effect until such time as Drugs, in particular Fentanyl, and all Illegal Aliens stop this Invasion of our Country! Both Mexico and Canada have the absolute right and power to easily solve this long simmering problem. We hereby demand that they use this power, and until such time that they do, it is time for them to pay a very big price!” he continued.