Trump says his tariffs aim to promote US production of tanks, not T-shirts: ‘We want to make big things’

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that his customs tariff policy aims to encourage the local manufacturing of tanks, technological products-shirts and sports shoes.

Speaking to reporters before going up to the Air Force in New Jersey, Trump said he agreed with the comments of Treasury Scott Bessin on April 29 that the United States does not necessarily need the “prosperous fabric industry”. Pesen’s statement at that time achieved anger at the National Council for Textile Organizations.

“We are not looking to make sneakers and shirts,” Trump said on Sunday. “We want to make military equipment. We want to make big things. We want to make, do an artificial intelligence.”

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“I am not looking to make shirts, to be honest. I am not looking to make socks. We can do it well in other locations. We look forward to doing chips, computers, a lot of other things, tanks and ships.”

In response to Trump’s comments, the American Apparel & Footwear said that the definitions are harmful to the industry.

“With 97 % of the clothes and shoes we wear are imported, and with clothes and shoes already the most introductory industry in the United States, we need to focus on the proper sense solutions that can move the needle,” Steve Lamar, President of AAPA, said in a statement. “More definitions will only mean the high costs of inputs for American manufacturers and high prices that will harm low -income consumers.”

President Donald Trump makes a fist as he descends from the first air force upon arrival at the joint base of Andrews in Maryland, May 25, 2025, after spending the weekend in New Jersey. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

Trump, which sparked a widespread tariff and global markets, prompted a 50 % tariff on European Union commodities starting from June 1 and Apple warned that it might carry out a 25 % tax on all iPhone devices purchased by the United States.

But on Sunday, he extended a final date for fees against the European Union until July 9 to allow negotiations between his administration and 27 countries. Trump has been repeatedly delayed on definitions against foreign countries, as his administration seeks to reach friendly deals to the United States.

Last month, Trump said American children may only be able to get “two dolls instead of 30” due to the effect of his definitions.

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President Donald Trump is going to speak to journalists before going up to the first air force from the Morestown Municipal Airport in Morestown, New Jersey, May 25, 2025. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images / Getty Images)

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The US President has pledged to enhance local manufacturing by imposing a tariff on foreigners and investments that heralds companies and foreign countries to the United States, even with the American economy remaining dependent on supply chains with other countries where many goods, including textiles are produced, are the lowest compensation.

Reuters contributed to this report.