Tariffs should balance trade, not make government money

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During a recent “NewsNation Now” segment, Representative Greg Murphy (R-NC) emphasized that tariffs should be implemented as a tool for achieving trade equilibrium rather than generating revenue for the government.

The discussion began when host Connell McShane inquired about Murphy’s perspective on tariffs as a potential revenue-generating mechanism.

This week, @WaysandMeansGOP received an excellent update on how President Trump is putting American businesses first from US Trade Representative Greer. 

I want to share a few thoughts: pic.twitter.com/R4rQlVNWT9

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— Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. (@RepGregMurphy) March 27, 2025

Murphy responded, “No, I think — Connell, I think we should look at tariffs as a way to basically balance trade out with another country or with the rest of the world. If you look at our trade deficits, we’re about $1.5 trillion in trade deficits. This is — we’ve seen during the pandemic, we have, really, a weakened infrastructure as it regard[s] so many different industries in the United States, manufacturing, boat building, and so many other ones. So, the president’s just trying to get this back on square.”

The North Carolina representative elaborated on his position, stating, “I don’t think these should be looked at as revenue raisers because, hopefully, these countries will act well and we won’t get the revenue. but I think this is what the president is using to try to get good actions done to the United States.”

Minimum wage in 2001

US: $5.15 an hour
China: roughly $.20 to $.50 cents an hour

10-20 times cheaper labor

This lead to U.S. losing roughly 6,000,000 manufacturing jobs to China.

This is why Trump tariff strategy matters. 👇🏽

pic.twitter.com/XpfMlZlOOd

— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) March 31, 2025