President Trump delivered another victory for American workers this week by closing a massive trade loophole that foreign companies have exploited for years. The so-called “de minimis” rule allowed cheap overseas goods under $800 to flood into our country without paying a single penny in tariffs. While liberal economists whine about higher prices, real patriots understand this is about fairness and putting America first.
For too long, Chinese sellers and other foreign competitors got a free ride into American markets. They could undercut honest American businesses who follow the rules and pay their fair share. This unfair advantage cost American jobs and hurt our manufacturing base. No more free lunches for foreign freeloaders.
The numbers show just how massive this problem was. Last year alone, customs processed a staggering $65 billion worth of these tax-free packages. That’s $65 billion in goods that should have supported American workers but instead lined the pockets of overseas competitors. This loophole was basically corporate welfare for China.
Yes, some items will cost more now, but that’s the price of economic independence. Korean beauty products are already up 15 percent, and other foreign goods will follow. But every extra dollar spent is an investment in American prosperity and national security.
American consumers have been addicted to cheap foreign junk for too long. It’s time to break that habit and support businesses that employ our neighbors and follow our laws. Real patriots choose quality American products over disposable overseas garbage anyway.
The fake news media will cry about longer shipping times and higher costs. They want you to believe that depending on China for everything is somehow good for America. Don’t fall for their lies about economic doom and gloom.
This policy puts American manufacturers on equal footing with foreign competitors for the first time in decades. Our tariff rate is now 18.3 percent, the highest since the 1930s, when America was truly great. That’s not a bug, it’s a feature of smart trade policy.
President Trump promised to bring back American manufacturing and protect our workers from unfair foreign competition. This bold move proves he keeps his promises while career politicians just talk. America first means American workers first, and that’s exactly what we’re getting.
