We will protect the US with duties - Trump

“It's time for the United States to return to the system that made us richer and more powerful than ever before,” Trump said.

He compared his approach to foreign trade to the harsh duties imposed by President William McKinley in the late 1890s, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

“We need to bring manufacturing back to our country,” Trump added. - As you know, we used to build one ship a day. Now we can't do that. It's all gone to other places and other countries.”

Asked about future Treasury Department head Scott Bessent's advocacy for 2.5 percent duties on all imports, Trump said he wants to see much higher duties.

“Remember the word duties. We will protect our people and our companies, and we will protect our country with duties,” he said.

He called on Congress to cut corporate income taxes on companies making goods in the U.S. to 15 percent from the current 21 percent.

“If you want to stop paying taxes or duties, you need to build your factories here in America. And this will happen at a record pace,” Trump stated.

Photo: “Interfax-Ukraine”.