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Trump defends tariffs, claims they stopped 'eight wars'
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Economy & Trade

Trump defends tariffs, claims they stopped 'eight wars'

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Donald Trump asserted that the tariffs he imposed are a diplomatic pressure tool and have helped stop "eight wars."
  • He stated that he threatened tariffs of up to 200% as a deterrent in tense situations.
  • Trump also discussed U.S. policy on Iran, the semiconductor industry, and artificial intelligence, framing them as competition with China.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump defended his use of tariffs, asserting in a CNBC interview that they serve as a crucial diplomatic pressure tool. He claimed that these tariffs have been instrumental in halting "eight wars," a significant assertion regarding their impact on international conflict resolution. Trump elaborated that he employed the threat of tariffs, some as high as 200%, as a deterrent in various tense international situations, though he did not provide specific details on these instances.

I stopped eight wars thanks to tariffs.

— Donald TrumpTrump claimed tariffs were a tool to prevent conflicts during an interview with CNBC.

Trump characterized this approach as "very American," justifying the use of tariffs as a means of exerting influence. His administration's trade policies have faced legal challenges, but a federal appeals court has temporarily allowed the continuation of a 10% global tariff imposed in February. This measure, enacted under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, is set to expire at the end of July unless extended by Congress.

I think it's something very American.

— Donald TrumpTrump justified the use of tariffs as a pressure tool.

Shifting to foreign policy, Trump reiterated his stance on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, describing the U.S. operation to blockade the enclave as a "steel wall" aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He framed this as de-nuclearization rather than a conventional war.

This is not a war as such. It's the de-nuclearization of Iran.

— Donald TrumpTrump described the U.S. action regarding Iran.

Domestically, Trump championed the expansion of the U.S. semiconductor industry, predicting the nation would achieve a dominant position in this strategic sector, which he deems vital for national security. He explicitly linked both trade policy and advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) to direct competition with China, stating, "If we don't do it, China will." Trump expressed confidence in the U.S. lead in AI, claiming America is "substantially ahead" of China and other nations in this field. He also alluded to potential government involvement in AI companies, mentioning a past intervention with Intel.

If we don't do it, China will.

— Donald TrumpTrump emphasized the competitive aspect of AI development with China.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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