Trump: "Will Collect Huge Tariff Revenue... 25% Tariff Rate on Lumber"

Plan to Offset Tax Revenue Shortfall with Tariffs
Possibility of a New Trade Agreement with China
Continued Interest in Acquiring Ukraine's Rare Earth Resources

U.S. President Donald Trump emphasized on the 19th (local time) that the United States will generate enormous tariff revenues due to the tariff policies being pursued.

President Trump met with reporters during an executive order signing event held on his private plane returning from Florida to Washington DC, and regarding the recently announced tariff imposition plan, he said, "We will collect tremendous tariff revenues." This is interpreted as meaning that if tax revenues fall short due to the implementation of the tax cut measures promised during the presidential campaign, the shortfall will be compensated by tariff revenues.

In this regard, President Trump revealed that the tariff rate to be applied to newly mentioned imported lumber and forestry-related imports would be "probably 25%."

He also continued with harsh criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. President Trump said that Ukraine has not held elections for a long time and that "it is time to hold elections." This was a remark targeting President Zelensky, who has maintained the presidency after his term ended without holding elections due to the ongoing war.

He also showed that he has not given up on the plan for the U.S. to acquire a 50% stake in Ukraine's rare earth resources. He claimed that when U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently visited Ukraine to discuss rare earth issues and others, the Ukrainian side treated him somewhat rudely. President Trump emphasized the support the U.S. has provided to Ukraine so far and added that the U.S. is ready to attempt an agreement on acquiring a stake in Ukraine's rare earth resources.

He also hinted at the possibility of reaching a new trade agreement with China. When asked whether he would make a new trade agreement with China, President Trump replied, "It's possible." He introduced the Phase One U.S.-China trade agreement reached during his first term and criticized former President Joe Biden for not pressuring China to implement the agreement.

Additionally, while pointing out the urban aesthetics issues of Washington DC, which many foreign leaders visit, President Trump said without specifying a concrete schedule that Chinese President Xi Jinping will eventually visit the U.S. as well.

President Trump said that except for the deterioration of relations due to COVID-19 during his first term, he had a "very, very good relationship" with President Xi and added, "I think he is a very unique person."

Regarding his effective suspension of the enforcement of the 'TikTok Ban Act' (a law that forces the sale of TikTok's U.S. business rights and bans its operation in the U.S. if not sold), Trump said, "I think we have a chance to do something good." He added, "I will talk to China about it," and said, "Saving TikTok would be a great thing."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.