Trump Defends Jobs Report, Tariffs & Federal Layoffs in Oval Office Address/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump delivered remarks from the Oval Office on Friday following the release of February’s jobs report, which showed 151,000 jobs added despite concerns over tariffs and mass federal layoffs. Trump dismissed fears that his trade policies or cuts to the federal workforce would harm the economy, insisting that the labor market will thrive with high-paying manufacturing jobs. Trump announced that he may impose tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber imports “as early as today,” citing unfair trade practices. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump also defended his ongoing tariff adjustments, arguing they are necessary to bring jobs back to America. Meanwhile, he suggested Moscow holds a stronger position than Kyiv in peace negotiations, saying Russian President Vladimir Putin “has all the cards” in the Ukraine conflict. His remarks come as he threatens new sanctions on Russia, raising questions about the administration’s shifting approach to foreign policy.
Trump’s Oval Office Remarks: Quick Look
- New Canada Tariff Threat
- Trump says Canada’s dairy and lumber tariffs are unfair.
- Reciprocal tariffs could be imposed immediately if Canada doesn’t lower its rates.
- Tariff Strategy Adjustments
- Trump acknowledges “there’ll always be changes and adjustments”.
- Describes temporary tariff pause on auto imports as a reprieve.
- Russia-Ukraine Conflict Stance
- Trump claims “Russia holds all the cards” in negotiations.
- Suggests Putin’s military actions are expected and calls for Kyiv to “get on the ball”.
- Derek Chauvin Pardon Question
- Trump says he hasn’t considered a federal pardon for Chauvin.
- Jobs Report Released
- U.S. added 151,000 jobs in February, slightly below forecasts.
- Unemployment ticked up to 4.1%, raising some concerns.
- Trump Defends Tariffs and Job Cuts
- Says tariffs are “ongoing negotiations” to curb fentanyl.
- Claims federal layoffs will reduce waste and boost manufacturing jobs.
- Economic Uncertainty Grows
- WTO urges dialogue instead of trade retaliation.
- Democrats criticize Trump over rising inflation, especially egg prices.
- Musk Distances Himself from Government Layoffs
- Says Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts are not his doing.
- Pentagon Controversy Over ‘Diversity Purge’
- 26,000 historical images, including WWII bombers, reportedly removed.
Trump Defends Jobs Report, Tariffs & Federal Layoffs in Oval Office Address
Trump’s Oval Office Address: Deep Look
Trump Downplays Economic Fears, Praises Jobs Report
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump defended his economic policies, insisting that his trade war threats and mass layoffs in the federal government would not damage the economy.
“We’re here for just a little over four weeks and these are fantastic numbers,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday.
Trump said his policies will create “a little bit of a disturbance” but will ultimately be beneficial.
Trump Threatens Tariffs on Canada’s Dairy and Lumber
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he may impose immediate tariffs on Canadian dairy and lumber imports, claiming that Canada has been unfairly overcharging the U.S. for years.
“Canada has been ripping us off for years on tariffs for lumber and for dairy products– 250%, nobody ever talks about that, 250% tariff, which is taking advantage of our farmers,” Trump said from the Oval Office.
Trump emphasized that if Canada doesn’t lower its tariffs, the U.S. will respond with identical measures.
“We’re going to be– they’ll be met with the exact same tariff unless they drop it– and that’s what reciprocal means– and we may do it as early as today, or we’ll wait till Monday or Tuesday, but that’s what we’re going to do.”
This follows his executive action on Thursday to delay tariffs on Mexico and Canada for one month, a move that rattled markets and businesses.
Trump Defends Tariff Adjustments, Says More Changes Coming
When asked about the on-again, off-again nature of his tariff policy, Trump defended his shifting approach.
“There’ll always be changes and adjustments,” he said.
He described his recent one-month tariff pause on auto imports from Mexico and Canada as a “little bit” of a “reprieve”, stressing that the goal is to encourage companies to create jobs in America.
“They’re very happy about what’s happening. They won’t have to go across borders and you see the zigzagging: You have a fender made in Canada, you have something else made in Mexico. We don’t want that. We want it made here. But there’ll always be some modifications. If you have a wall in front of you, sometimes you have to go around the wall instead of through it.”
Trump: ‘Russia Holds All the Cards’ in Ukraine Conflict
Trump made a controversial statement about the Russia-Ukraine war, saying Putin holds the stronger position in negotiations.
“I think we’re doing very well with Russia, but right now they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine. And Ukraine, I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine, and they don’t have the cards.”
He implied that negotiating with Russia might be easier than working with Kyiv.
“In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising, because they have all the cards.”
While Trump threatened new sanctions on Russia earlier in the day, he struck a conciliatory tone toward Putin, saying:
“I actually think he’s doing what anybody else would do. I think he wants to get it stopped and settled.”
He added:
“He’s been hitting him. And I think probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now. He wants to get it ended.”
Trump Denies Knowledge of Derek Chauvin Pardon Request
When asked if he was considering a federal pardon for Derek Chauvin, the former police officer convicted of killing George Floyd, Trump denied any awareness of the issue.
“No, I haven’t even heard about it.”
The question comes after conservative commentator Ben Shapiro called for Trump to pardon Chauvin, arguing that he wasn’t responsible for Floyd’s death. Billionaire Elon Musk later amplified Shapiro’s request on social media.
The February jobs report showed that 151,000 jobs were added, slightly below the expected 160,000. Unemployment rose to 4.1%, a modest increase that White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett called “not alarming.”
“It’s a fantastic report. It’s showing exactly what President Trump intends to do—reduce government spending and create manufacturing jobs,” Hassett said.
He added that more federal job cuts are expected next month but that private-sector hiring should rise, particularly in manufacturing and leisure industries.
Trump calls bipartisan microchip act a ‘waste of money’
The 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, a centerpiece of Biden administration policy that cleared Congress with support from Republicans, was meant to make U.S. manufacturing more competitive with China and overseas producers.
Trump has since hailed foreign investment in U.S. chip production that began under Biden. But he insisted the legislation itself should be repealed “because it’s hundreds of billions of dollars and it’s just a waste of money.”
Tariff Uncertainty and Trade War Concerns
Trump’s fluctuating stance on tariffs has unsettled global markets. This week, he delayed planned tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, citing progress on efforts to stop fentanyl trafficking.
“We’ve seen the Canadians and the Mexicans crack down in a good way,” Hassett said. “We need to see fewer fentanyl deaths in America—that’s the key metric.”
Still, the World Trade Organization (WTO) urged caution, with Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warning that tit-for-tat trade actions could disrupt global markets.
“We need to listen to the United States and their concerns,” Okonjo-Iweala said, “but we must avoid unnecessary trade disruptions.”
Federal Job Cuts and Musk’s Response
Trump’s commitment to downsizing the federal government has led to mass firings across agencies, largely driven by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
While Trump argues the cuts are necessary, Musk has distanced himself, telling Republicans behind closed doors that he isn’t personally responsible for the firings.
Democrats Focus on Inflation and Cost of Living
As inflation concerns mount, Democrats are trying to pin economic struggles on Trump, particularly regarding rising food costs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that egg prices will rise 41% this year, prompting Democratic strategists to blame Trump’s policies for worsening inflation.
“It’s 2025—bored, tired talking points won’t stop authoritarianism,” said Indivisible co-founder Ezra Levin, arguing that Democrats should focus on Trump’s broader impact on democracy rather than just the economy.
Pentagon Controversy Over ‘Diversity Purge’
Another controversy brewing in Washington is the Pentagon’s so-called diversity purge, in which 26,000 historical images, including photos of the WWII Enola Gay bomber, were reportedly removed.
Critics argue the move is part of Trump’s broader effort to eliminate diversity and inclusion initiatives within the military, though the White House has not directly commented on the removals.
What’s Next?
With economic uncertainty growing, federal layoffs increasing, and tariffs still in flux, the political and financial landscape remains volatile. Trump, however, remains optimistic about the economy, saying:
“I think the labor market’s going to be fantastic, but it’s going to have high-paying manufacturing jobs.”
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