President Donald Trump announced tariffs on imports in April 2023, claiming they would revitalize the U.S. manufacturing sector. However, since the announcement, the sector has lost 67,000 jobs, contradicting Trump's assertions of job growth. According to data from the U.S. Department of Labor, the overall job creation rate under Trump has been significantly lower than that under his predecessor, President Joe Biden, who oversaw the addition of over 4 million jobs annually during his term.

Economist Justin Wolfers from the University of Michigan attributed the poor job performance to a combination of factors, including economic uncertainty and inconsistent policy approaches. The unemployment rate has also risen steadily, reflecting broader economic challenges linked to the tariff policies.

Trump's tariffs have been criticized for contributing to increased food inflation, with rates rising from 1.8% to 3.1% following their implementation. Andrew Bates, a former Biden administration spokesman, described the tariffs as a significant burden on working individuals, exacerbating supply chain issues and leading to recession-level job losses.

Despite Trump's claims of inheriting a struggling economy, data indicates he took office during a period of steady growth, with low inflation and unemployment rates. His trade policies, which included a trade war primarily with China, have had adverse effects on various sectors, particularly manufacturing and agriculture. Acknowledgment of the negative impact of these tariffs has even come from within Trump's own administration, with his former chief of staff admitting the consequences were more severe than anticipated.