Democratic leaders today are feigning outrage and stoking even more political division by denouncing President Donald Trump’s bold trade policies.
In years past, however, some on the left espoused views that were remarkably close to what they are now railing against.
One such example involves former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), who delivered a speech nearly 30 years ago in which she called for policies that would even the trade disparity between the U.S. and China.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt brought up those remarks this week during a news conference, as the Daily Wire reported:
Leavitt, during Tuesday’s briefing, referenced that speech, saying, “Nancy Pelosi said, ‘How far does China have to go? How much more oppression? How big a trade deficit? How many jobs have to be lost for the American workers? How much dangerous proliferation has to exist before members of this House of Representatives will say, ‘I will not endorse the status quo’?”
“Well, President Trump is finally answering her call,” Leavitt continued. “Nancy Pelosi can thank President Trump today for the 104% retaliatory tariff that will be going into effect on China.”
The Pelosi clip and comments from other prominent Democrats have resurfaced in response to the party’s current anti-tariff stance:
FLASHBACK: Top Democrats Call For Trump's Tariffs!
Obama, Biden, & Pelosi Agree To End One-Sided Trade Deals And Support American Workers
I Wonder Why They Changed Their Minds…
» LIVE X STREAM:https://t.co/7oTubgHc7H pic.twitter.com/6fF5TIpYvX
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) April 5, 2025
Finally! Democrats have embraced President Trumps America first approach through fair reciprocal tariffs. pic.twitter.com/0oGtytHRoc
— 🇺🇸 Truth Patriot 🇺🇸 (@wokenessucks) April 9, 2025
1) 1996 Nancy Pelosi encourages all of Congress to back reciprocal tariffs
2) 2008 Bernie Sanders wants tariffs, says jobs are going overseas
3) 2018 Barack Obama calls for reciprocal tariffs
4) 1988 Donald Trump says foreign countries must pay tariffs
Only 1 hasn’t sold out pic.twitter.com/6jqXqaYALC
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) April 4, 2025
The Daily Mail also covered the context surrounding Leavitt’s recent remarks:
Pelosi was among a band of Democrats who argued against granting China Permanent Normal Trade Relations status. The move helped China rocket to expand its economic power, although its closed political system has remained.
Leavitt also quoted Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer speaking about the ‘crippling trade deficit.’
She spoke after Pelosi’s past comments surfaced on Fox News.
ADVERTISEMENTLeavitt’s briefing Tuesday afternoon came after three successive market plunges following Trump’s announced tariffs. She also gave an unexpected response to a feud between Elon Musk and Trump trade advisor Peter Navarro, saying ‘boys will be boys.’
Her other comments on China did not appear to soothe markets, as she reasserted that Trump’s new 50% tariff would take effect at 12:01 AM Tuesday. The tariffs set off a global selloff, with heightened fears of inflation or even a recession.
‘It was a mistake for China to retaliate. The president, when America is punched, he punches back harder. That’s why there will be 104% tariffs going into effect on China tonight at midnight, but the president believes that Xi and China want to make a deal,’ she said. ‘They just don’t know how to get that started.’
And here’s a relevant clip:
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