“2 dolls instead of 30 dolls”: Donald Trump uses “toy math” to defend China’s tariff troubles

U.S. President Donald Trump defended his comprehensive tariff policy on Wednesday, acknowledging that it could lead to fewer, more expensive consumer goods in the U.S. But he insists that economic losses will be even worse in China.“Perhaps the kids will have two dolls, not 30 dolls,” Trump said at a cabinet meeting in the White House. “So the cost of these two dolls will cost more than usual.”
The U.S. economy shrank by 0.3% in the first quarter, the first contraction Trump has since returned to office in January, which is his remarks. As businesses compete to beat new tariffs on goods such as steel, aluminum and automobiles, the downturn is driven mostly by the trend of imports.

Biden accuses market of faltering

As GDP data rocked financial markets, Trump turned to his social media platform, placing the blame on his ex.

“This is Biden’s stock market, not Trump’s stock market,” the president released. “Tariffs will start soon and companies will start to enter the United States with record numbers. Our country will thrive, but we must get rid of the “overhang” of biden. It will take some time and have nothing to do with tariffs.”

The message is clear: Trump believes that tariffs are not burdens, but a long-term tool for pressure on trading partners and attracting investments to reinvest.

The economy is in pain now, and the future benefits?

During the cabinet meeting, Trump claimed that under the tariff regime, China is struggling more than the United States. “They had a huge difficulty because their factories weren’t doing business,” he said. “We don’t need a lot.” He put aside warning from U.S. retailers, who said tariffs could make toys, Halloween clothing and other imported goods more expensive during the holidays. Retailers also warn that they cannot move supply chains quickly enough to avoid passing costs to consumers.

Despite growing concerns about inflation, Trump told ABC News on Tuesday that the economy would collapse without his tariffs. “Everyone will be fine,” he said.

Democrats slam “random” trade policy

Democrats seized on economic data as evidence that Trump’s policies undermine economic stability. “Trump has been in office for 100 days, and costs, chaos and corruption are already rising. The economy is slowing down, prices are rising, and middle-class families feel tight.”

Former Biden adviser Heather Boushey said the GDP contraction was directly related to Trump’s mismanagement. “In just 100 days, President Trump has driven the U.S. economy from strong and steady growth to negative GDP. This amazing wealth is directly due to inconsistent economic policies and his poor management of federal policies.”

Representative Suzan Delbene added: “We only see the dangerous impact of Trump’s random policies begin. U.S. manufacturers are still relying on parts and components from China. Chaos and dysfunction will not help build investments. Strong economic demand for stability and certainty. We don’t see it.”

Contradictions in the cabinet
Trump boasted about major foreign investments such as Apple and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (TSMC), but details tell a more complex story. TSMC’s Arizona plant was first announced in 2020 during Trump’s earlier term, but the subsequent expansion took place during Biden’s presidency and was supported by the Bipartisan Bargaining Chips and Science Act.

Despite this, Trump claims: “They are building because of the tariffs.”

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised the growth of the chip manufacturing industry on his recent visit to the TSMC website. But experts point out that Biden’s economic incentives are the main driver of expansion, not trade pressure.

Fear and Reassurance of the U.S. Recession

Despite signs of cooling the economy, White House trade adviser Peter Navarro downplayed concerns. He said that the decline in GDP is a “single transaction” due to the import time of import time and predicted that Trump’s plan to cut taxes will resume growth soon.

“All we’re seeing is good news,” Navarro said. “So the idea of ​​a recession should be hit hard.”

The unemployment rate remains relatively healthy 4.2%, but economists warn that ongoing trade tensions and inflation risks could still erode consumer and corporate confidence in the coming months.

When Trump marked his first 100 days after the White House, he pointed to tariffs, massive federal layoffs and reshaping industries, a sign of his economic restart. But early results are still mixed.

As markets shaking, economic contracts, and consumer goods prices get higher and higher, the Trump administration insists it is building a long-term strategy to rebalance trade.

Whether Americans are ready for “two dolls instead of 30 dolls” can well define the political and economic paths for the future.

(And with Reuters input, AP)