Trump Advocates for Military Manufacturing Over Apparel Production

MORRISTOWN, New Jersey, May 25 (Reuters) – President Donald Trump shared his thoughts on tariffs this Sunday, emphasizing that his focus is on boosting American manufacturing in sectors like defense and technology rather than in the apparel industry. While chatting with reporters before taking off on Air Force one,he echoed Treasury Secretary Scott bessent’s earlier remarks about the U.S. not needing a thriving textile sector—a statement that didn’t sit well with the National Council of Textile Organizations.

“We’re not interested in producing sneakers or T-shirts,” Trump stated. “Our goal is to manufacture military hardware and advanced tech products.” He continued by saying, “Honestly, I’m not keen on making socks either. Other countries can handle that just fine. Our focus should be on chips for computers and building tanks and ships.”

Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy has already shaken global markets significantly. Just last friday, he reignited his tough stance by proposing a hefty 50% tariff on goods from the European Union starting June 1st. Additionally,he hinted at a potential 25% tax on all imported iPhones sold to American consumers.

In this context of trade discussions, it’s interesting to consider how different industries respond to such policies globally. As a notable example, while Trump’s administration aims for high-tech advancements domestically—think Silicon Valley innovations—other nations are also ramping up their own manufacturing capabilities in response to these tariffs.

As we navigate through these economic waters together as a nation—and indeed as part of an interconnected global economy—it’s crucial to keep an eye out for how these decisions will shape various sectors beyond just textiles or electronics.

(reporting by Jeff Mason; Writing by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Nia Williams)