Morristwon, New Jersey: President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to reshaping U.S. trade and manufacturing priorities on Sunday, saying his administration’s tariff policy is aimed at boosting domestic production of advanced technologies and defense equipment rather than low-cost consumer goods like sneakers and T-shirts.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One in New Jersey, Trump expressed support for remarks made by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on April 29, in which Bessent said the U.S. does not need a “booming textile industry.” Those comments sparked backlash from the National Council of Textile Organizations, but Trump stood by the sentiment.
“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 do the AI thing with computers,” Trump said.
He further emphasized the administration’s focus on strategic industries such as semiconductors, defense, and advanced computing. “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, and tanks and ships,” he added.
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Trump’s remarks came amid escalating trade tensions, as he revived his aggressive rhetoric on tariffs. On Friday, he proposed a sweeping 50% tariff on goods from the European Union starting June 1. He also warned that Apple could face a 25% tariff on all imported iPhones purchased by U.S. consumers.
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The comments reflect the administration’s broader effort to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign manufacturing in critical sectors and reposition American industry as a global leader in military and high-tech innovation.
