Trump's Congressional Address: Tariffs, Divisions, and a Campaign Echo

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Trump's Congressional Address: Tariffs, Divisions, and a Campaign Echo

President Donald Trump has commenced his address to a joint session of Congress, an event anticipated as a platform to detail and justify the drastic changes implemented during his initial 44 days in office. However, the political atmosphere is charged, not only by internal tensions fracturing the nation but also by the escalation of a global trade war. This conflict began on the same day with retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and Canada on American goods, and a similar move announced by Mexico.

This speech occurs at a time of considerable upheaval for the Trump administration. Conflicts are unfolding across Europe and the Middle East, while domestically, economic concerns compound the challenges of a profound reconfiguration of the federal government. The political chasm in the United States, in the modern era, has rarely seemed so pronounced and somber.

The much-anticipated address, following the annual tradition of this political event, did not succeed in bridging the deep divide of misunderstanding and contempt that cleaves the country. The iconic introduction by the House Sergeant-at-Arms, proclaiming "Mr. Speaker, Mr. President of the United States," preceded Trump's entrance, offering one of the few moments of apparent normalcy on a night that, as a whole, exemplified a lack of national unity.

While millions view the President's tenure as the dawn of a new "golden age" for America, an equal number fear his presidency represents the destruction of the country they cherish. The image of Trump at the dais, flanked by Vice President J. D. Vance and Speaker Mike Johnson, with key Republican figures and conservative Supreme Court justices observing from below, underscored the consolidated and unrestrained power of the Republican faction.

To the President's left, his most fervent supporters rose repeatedly, chanting slogans such as "USA! USA! USA!" and "Trump! Trump! Trump!" These cheers echoed from the Republican seats, a party that Trump has effectively transformed into a personal political movement. The content and style of the speech, according to observers, were indistinguishable from his campaign rallies, characterized by fiery rhetoric, false claims, and a demagogic tone.

In his address, Trump touched upon a wide array of topics, from domestic policy to foreign affairs. Focusing on the economy, he reaffirmed his stance on trade and tariffs, promising "relief for working families" amidst high inflation. Immigration was another cornerstone of the speech, with an emphasis on alleged crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and a call for stricter border security. Furthermore, Trump asserted his 2024 election victory and directed sharp criticism at the Biden administration, in a speech that prompted protests from Democratic lawmakers.

Despite the presidential rhetoric, Trump's address to Congress had a limited impact on public opinion regarding his policies, according to a CNN poll conducted by SSRS. Before the event, 61% believed his policies would steer the country correctly; afterward, this figure rose slightly to 66%. However, the audience, predominantly Republican, reflected the highly partisan nature of his support base, mirroring his first term.

A notable aspect of the speech was the recurring mention of his predecessor, Joe Biden. Trump referenced Biden 12 times, according to a CNN count, covering topics such as immigration, environmental protections, inflation, the job market, the CHIPS Act, power plants, farmers, and aid to Ukraine. The first mention occurred about eight minutes into the speech, comparing border crossings under Biden to his own figures. This pattern of fixation on Biden, even after leaving the White House, has been consistent in Trump's public appearances, as he appears to seek a recurring adversary.

The speech also included a claim that CNN described as misleading: Trump reiterated that he secured $50 billion in agricultural purchases from China during his administration and accused the Biden administration of failing to enforce it. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that China agreed to increase agricultural purchases by $12.5 billion in 2020 and $19.5 billion in 2021 as part of a trade pact. While the target was met in 2020, agricultural exports to China increased by only $6.4 billion in 2021 compared to the previous year. Crucially, the agreement did not specify maintaining these purchase levels beyond 2021, although it projected a continued increase through 2025. Chinese purchases exceeded 2021 levels in 2022, reaching $33 billion, but fell by $9 billion in 2023.

Immediate reactions from the largely Republican audience were moderately positive, with 70% reporting at least a somewhat positive reaction and 44% a very positive response. However, these figures are lower than those garnered by previous Trump speeches and other presidential addresses to Congress, suggesting potential audience fatigue or a diminished impact of presidential rhetoric on his own base.

The CNN poll also highlighted that while the partisan audience showed approval, Trump's overall approval rating among the general American public remains low. A poll released Sunday indicated that 48% of U.S. adults approve of his performance as president, while 52% disapprove. Public perception questions whether Trump has the right priorities and if his policies are leading the country in the right direction.

The interruption of the speech by Democratic Representative Al Green, as a form of protest, was deemed inappropriate by eight out of ten viewers, while 20% considered it a valid reaction, underscoring the deep polarization even in responses to acts of dissent.

Ekhbary News Agency