Leavitt’s Response: Tariffs as Tools for Fair Trade. Leavitt went on to make a more detailed case for the tariffs, emphasizing that they are not designed to harm American consumers but to protect U.S. industries.
“What you’re seeing is an administration that is finally standing up for American workers,” she said. She pointed to job growth in sectors like manufacturing and the record-low unemployment rate for women under President Trump’s leadership.
Leavitt also referred to the president’s past efforts to renegotiate trade deals, specifically mentioning the revised North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), now known as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
She noted that the trade agreement included provisions meant to protect American workers, including those in the automotive and agricultural sectors. These labor protections, Leavitt noted, are especially vital in industries linked to healthcare diagnostics, such as the production of medical equipment and lab testing kits.
She stressed that these efforts were part of a larger strategy to reduce dependence on foreign-made goods and create a more self-sufficient, sustainable economy for the U.S., especially as it pertains to sensitive sectors like pregnancy insurance plans and legal protections in OB-GYN liability cases.
