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President Donald Trump spoke Thursday in the Oval Office, where he addressed multiple topics, including the recent death of former President Jimmy Carter, the state of the economy, ongoing trade negotiations, and his view of the current political landscape. His remarks drew attention for both their blunt tone and the wide range of issues he touched on.
Trump started the press conference by acknowledging Carter, who passed away in December 2024. Carter, who was 100 years old at the time of his death, had become the longest-living president in U.S. history. His legacy included decades of humanitarian work and global peace efforts after leaving office, as well as receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
However, Trump chose to frame Carter’s passing in political terms.
"Jimmy Carter died a happy man. You know why? Because he wasn’t the worst president, Joe Biden was," Trump said.
Reporters in the room reacted with surprise, but Trump moved quickly on, shifting focus to the main subject of the press event: his administration’s new approach to tariffs and trade policy.
Trump has recently imposed what he is calling "reciprocal" tariffs on a range of foreign imports, especially targeting nations in the European Union. The president said the goal of these tariffs is to protect American industries and push for fairer trade deals.
According to Trump, previous administrations allowed other countries to take advantage of the United States through uneven trade agreements.
"I think you’re going to see some fantastic numbers when this whole thing happens. It’s happening," Trump said, referring to the anticipated economic benefits of the tariffs.
As part of ongoing efforts to negotiate new trade terms, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the White House on Thursday. She was there to represent the European Union during discussions about the new U.S. tariff policy. The EU has expressed concern about Trump’s 20 percent tariff on European goods, which they say could disrupt trade flows and damage international relationships.
The president described the negotiations in aggressive terms.
"Now, everybody wants to make a deal, and if they don’t want to make a deal, well, make the deal for him because that’s what’s going to happen," Trump said.
He added that many countries had been contacting the U.S. government in hopes of striking new agreements. Trump did not specify which countries he was referring to but suggested that the growing pressure was working in America’s favor.
"Everybody’s calling. They all want a deal now because they know we mean business," Trump said.
Under the current situation, the European Union is paying a 10 percent tariff on U.S. exports while enjoying a 90-day pause on additional levies. Trump has said this grace period is temporary and meant to give both sides time to negotiate.
However, European leaders have signaled that they hope to resolve the dispute quickly to avoid a broader trade war.
Meanwhile, the business community in the United States is watching the situation closely. While some manufacturers support Trump’s hardline trade stance, others are worried that the increased costs and supply chain disruptions could hurt the economy more than help it.
Economists and CEOs have raised concerns about whether U.S. companies can produce enough to meet demand if tariffs slow down the flow of foreign goods. Questions are also being raised about inflation, pricing, and the availability of raw materials under this new trade policy.
Trump brushed off those concerns during the press event.
"I think we’re going to do even better this time because you will see that the numbers that we’re taking in are astronomical. We’re taking in a tremendous amount of money with the tariffs," Trump said.
He framed the situation as a necessary correction after decades of what he believes were failed trade policies. According to the president, foreign countries had grown too comfortable with one-sided deals that disadvantaged American workers and industries.
"We were treated very unfairly and the countries are having a hard time getting used to the fact that they can’t do that to us anymore because we have a real president. We have a president that understands what it’s all about," Trump said.
Trump did not offer a timeline for when the tariffs might be removed or what specific benchmarks the administration is using to determine the success of the policy. When asked about these details, the president returned to general statements about fairness and strength.
"They’re going to come to us. They have no choice. The U.S. is not a pushover anymore," he said.
Trump’s comments also included pointed criticisms of his predecessor, President Joe Biden. The president accused Biden of mismanaging the economy and allowing international competitors to gain ground at the expense of American families.
"Biden didn’t have a clue. Everybody knew it. The country was going down fast under his watch," Trump said.
He claimed that his administration has already begun reversing those trends and predicted that future economic data would show major gains due to his policies.
In addition to trade, the press conference touched on domestic politics. Reporters asked about the possibility of Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis running for governor. The question comes as the state deals with a GOP-led investigation known as the Hope Florida probe.
Some speculate that the investigation, though not directly linked to DeSantis, could affect her chances in a future race.
Trump declined to comment directly on the investigation or on DeSantis's potential candidacy. However, he emphasized the importance of keeping strong leaders in office at both the state and national level.
"We need people who get it. People who understand the country. That’s what we’re working for," Trump said.
He also took a moment to reflect on his broader political philosophy, saying that everything his administration is doing is aimed at putting the country back on the right path.
"We’re doing what should have been done a long time ago," Trump said. "And you know what? People respect it now. They might not say it in front of the cameras, but behind the scenes, they’re saying, ‘Thank you, Mr. President.’ That’s what I’m hearing."
The press event ended without further questions, and Trump walked out with Prime Minister Meloni. The two leaders were seen briefly speaking before exiting the room.
No joint statement was released, and White House officials said that trade talks would continue behind closed doors in the coming days. As negotiations proceed, analysts will be watching to see how both markets and voters react to Trump’s aggressive trade approach.
Supporters see it as a bold move to protect American jobs, while critics warn that it could backfire if international partners impose retaliatory measures or if domestic prices rise as a result of restricted imports.
For now, Trump appears confident that his strategy is working. He believes that showing strength on the global stage will lead to long-term gains for the United States. "We have the leverage now," Trump said. "And we’re finally using it."
