Barack Obama has cautioned that the widespread tariffs recently imposed on many of America’s trade partners will negatively impact the nation.
Obama expressed “deep concern” regarding the direction of policies enacted by President Trump during his current term.
Speaking at Hamilton College, Obama took aim at the Trump administration’s protectionist trade measures, efforts to curb federal spending, strict immigration policies, and handling of the press.
He specifically criticized the newly implemented tariffs on a large portion of U.S. trading partners, stating, “I do not think what we just witnessed… is going to be good for America.”
The former president clarified that while the tariffs are concerning, he is even “more deeply concerned with a federal government that threatens universities if they don’t give up students who are exercising their right to free speech,” in reference to actions against pro-Palestinian protestors.
Obama also highlighted the Trump administration’s pressure on law firms and the exclusion of AP journalists from the Oval Office, calling it “a kind of behavior [that] is contrary to the basic compact we have as Americans.”
He further commented, “Imagine if I had pulled Fox News’ credentials from the White House press corps. It is unimaginable that the same parties that are silent now would have tolerated behavior like that from me or a whole bunch of my predecessors,”
Obama concluded by saying that “history zigs and zags and there are times of conflict and there are times of stupidity and there are times of danger.”
It’s worth noting that Trump previously attacked Obama during his presidential campaign, labeling him “a jerk” who “divides this country” through his support for Kamala Harris.
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