 "US President Donald Trump. File image/ Reuters")
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his tariff policy is intended to boost domestic manufacturing of items such as tanks and technology products, rather than consumer goods like sneakers and T-shirts, news agency Reuters reported.
“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,” Trump said.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey, Trump said he agreed with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s earlier remarks that the US does not need a booming textile industry.
On 29 April, Bessent had said the US doesn’t necessarily need a “booming textile industry” — comments that drew criticism from textile businesses and were condemned by the National Council of Textile Organizations.
“I’m not looking to make T-shirts, to be honest. I’m not looking to make socks. We can do that very well in other locations. We are looking to do chips and computers and lots of other things — tanks and ships,” Trump added.
In response to Trump’s remarks, the American Apparel & Footwear Association said that tariffs were harmful to the industry.
This is a developing story.