Trump digs in against opponents of trade policies: ‘The end result will be worth it!’

President Trump on Wednesday pushed back against the overwhelming criticism he’s received for doubling down on steep tariffs against U.S. allies, asserting that the “end result will be worth it” despite bipartisan concerns his trade policies are hurting the economy.

In a series of early morning tweets, the president claimed that the vast number of Republicans and Democrats who oppose his tariffs are undermining his administration’s negotiating position.

“Every time I see a weak politician asking to stop Trade talks or the use of Tariffs to counter unfair Tariffs, I wonder, what can they be thinking? Are we just going to continue and let our farmers and country get ripped off?” Trump tweeted.

{mosads}

“No weakness!” he added.

Every time I see a weak politician asking to stop Trade talks or the use of Tariffs to counter unfair Tariffs, I wonder, what can they be thinking? Are we just going to continue and let our farmers and country get ripped off? Lost $817 Billion on Trade last year. No weakness!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018

The president is set to meet Wednesday afternoon at the White House with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The two men are likely to discuss trade amid threats from Trump to tax European cars.

Trump suggested that the U.S. would receive a better deal if representatives show unity on the issue. He went on to assure followers that negotiations are “going really well.” He has repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that foreign leaders have come to him in search of a better deal, even as other countries have levied retaliatory tariffs against the U.S.

“The end result will be worth it!” Trump tweeted.

When you have people snipping at your heels during a negotiation, it will only take longer to make a deal, and the deal will never be as good as it could have been with unity. Negotiations are going really well, be cool. The end result will be worth it!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018

The president took particular aim at China, which he said is “targeting our farmers … as a way of getting me to continue allowing them to take advantage of the U.S.”

China is targeting our farmers, who they know I love & respect, as a way of getting me to continue allowing them to take advantage of the U.S. They are being vicious in what will be their failed attempt. We were being nice – until now! China made $517 Billion on us last year.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018

Farmers have been particularly hard hit by Trump’s trade war as other countries, including China, Mexico and the European Union, have responded to U.S. tariffs with duties of their own on U.S. grain, produce and meat.

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) on Tuesday announced it would offer $12 billion in aid to buy crops from farmers who’ve lost billions of dollars in sales from foreign buyers in the European Union, Canada, Mexico and China.

Republican and Democratic lawmakers were highly critical of the aid to farmers on Tuesday, and repeated their calls for Trump to rescind the tariffs he’s implemented on the grounds of “national security.”

“They put in place a policy that requires our farmers to go on welfare and, you know, it’s a ridiculous policy that just needs to be reversed,” said Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), who has sought to repeal Trump’s tariffs.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) compared the farm aid to a “Soviet-type of economy.”

“Commissars deciding who should be granted waivers. Commissars in the administration trying to figure out how they’re going to sprinkle around benefits,” he said.