President Donald Trump has made his trade priorities clear: the United States should focus on building powerful and advanced items like tanks, ships, and computer chips—not T-shirts and sneakers.
Trump Focuses on Strength and Technology
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey, Trump stated, “We’re not looking to make sneakers and T-shirts. We want to make military equipment. We want to make big things. We want to make, do the AI thing.” His remarks show that he wants to shift American manufacturing toward national security and high-tech development.
Trump added that producing everyday items like socks could continue in other countries. What matters most to him is that the U.S. builds key equipment that keeps the country strong and secure.
His comments backed up remarks made earlier by Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, who said on April 29 that there’s no strong need to bring back a “booming textile industry.” These comments angered textile trade groups, especially the National Council of Textile Organizations. But Trump stood firm, repeating that his goal is to support industries that matter most for defense and future technology.
Trump Pushes 50% Tariffs on Europe, 25% on Smartphones in Escalating Trade War
Industry Pushback from Apparel Leaders
Not everyone agrees with President Trump’s views. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) voiced strong opposition to his tariff plans. According to Steve Lamar, the president of the AAFA, the strategy could hurt American consumers and small businesses.
“Since 97% of the clothes and shoes we wear are imported—and these items already face the highest tariffs in the U.S.—we should be looking for practical, common-sense solutions,” Lamar said in a statement.
He warned that more tariffs would raise the cost of making products in the U.S. and push up prices in stores. This would especially hurt families with lower incomes who spend more of their earnings on everyday necessities like clothes and footwear.
Lamar pointed out that increasing tariffs on clothing and shoes won’t encourage local factories to return. Instead, it will simply make imported products more expensive—products that Americans still need and buy every day.
Despite these concerns, Trump doubled down on his stance, making it clear that his priority is with sectors tied to defense and innovation, not fashion or household goods.
Tariff Deadline Pushed as Trump Grants EU Time Until July 9
Tariff Deadlines and Bigger Targets
President Trump also revived his aggressive trade talk by threatening more tariffs on foreign goods. On Friday, he called for a 50% tariff on goods from the European Union starting June 1. He even suggested a 25% tariff on all imported iPhones, which could lead to higher prices for American consumers.
Such a move would affect major tech companies like Apple, whose devices are mainly assembled overseas. If enforced, it could lead to a jump in prices for one of the most widely used smartphones in the U.S.
However, in a shift just two days later, Trump announced on Sunday that the EU tariff deadline would be extended to July 9. He said the delay was to give more time for negotiations between the U.S. and the 27 European countries in the union.
Even with this delay, Trump’s message was strong and clear: the country’s trade policy will be shaped by the goal of national strength, not by the production of everyday consumer goods.
