A number of prominent Republicans have expressed their misgivings about President Donald Trump’s tariff policies in recent months.
But as the world finds out more about the bold trade strategy, some of those GOP critics are starting to see the bigger picture.
For famously folksy Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), one development in recent days has allowed him to see how Trump — and America — can score a major win through reciprocal tariffs.
As the Daily Wire reported, he laid out his concerns about the repercussions of widespread tariffs before citing a pleasant surprise:
And that, Kennedy explained, was where the pendulum started to swing back: “But then, at least for me, an extraordinary thing happened. We have 195 countries in the world. Probably 40% have come forward — and instead of bowing up and fighting, they’ve said, ‘We want to lower our tariffs! Will you lower yours?’”
“I frankly never saw that coming,” Kennedy said, noting that he could not speak for what the president might do next, but adding, “I think it is a wonderful opportunity … I would pounce on this opportunity like a ninja. And I would use this as an opportunity to reduce or in some cases — Taiwan, Vietnam, European Union — go to zero reciprocal tariffs and then we can have free trade, let the best product at the best price win.”
Kennedy once again couched his comments by saying he did not know the White House’s plan and could only speak to what he would do in the current situation.
Trump himself has been among those touting the willingness of dozens of nations to come to the negotiating table:
BREAKING: Donald Trump right now:
And don’t let some of these politicians…let me tell you. These countries are calling me, kissing my ass, they are dying to make a [trade] deal…”please please sir let me make a deal, I’ll do anything, I’ll do anything sir.” pic.twitter.com/p7c7kDNZTB
— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) April 9, 2025
His strategy seems to be bearing some early fruit even as the White House encourages Americans to be patient:
JUST IN: Stock market bounces back while more than 50 countries, including Japan and the EU, have contacted the United States to negotiate deals on tariffs.
The Trump effect at work. pic.twitter.com/lXzqEepZtH
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 7, 2025
People are silly. The tariffs are meant to correct a global system that has been outrageously unfair to the United States. Trump inherited a colossal mess, and it’s going to take time to fix, so calm down.
Over 50 countries have reached out to negotiate. This is a win! pic.twitter.com/l1WSwAbA6Z
— TraderJill (Leigh) (@RealTraderJill) April 8, 2025
Trump had some words, including one he coined, for those who doubt his trade policies, as The Hill reported this week:
“The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!” Trump said on Truth Social.
He later said countries no longer will be able to abuse and take advantage of the U.S. with his tariff plan, which applied 10 percent tariffs to trading partners and additional higher tariffs to dozens of countries.
“Oil prices are down, interest rates are down (the slow moving Fed should cut rates!), food prices are down, there is NO INFLATION, and the long time abused USA is bringing in Billions of Dollars a week from the abusing countries on Tariffs that are already in place,” Trump said on Truth Social.
Here’s a clip of Kennedy’s recent remarks:
JOE SCARBOROUGH: Some of the smartest minds across the world are betting on a recession.
SEN KENNEDY: With tariffs, an eye for an eye just leaves both people blind…But then…an extraordinary thing happened! We have 195 countries in the world. Probably 40% have come forward —… pic.twitter.com/30WYxnYuQ1
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) April 9, 2025