In a recent meeting with the press, Donald Trump finally acknowledged that his tariffs are not only causing inflation, but also causing shortages, because fewer things are being shipped. He is justifying these tariffs saying that they will encourage manufacturing, and more things will be made in the USA. Manufacturing things in the USA will not make products less expensive. Americans receive much higher wages, so products will cost more. Building new plants or retooling old ones will have a cost, and that cost will also be passed on to the consumer. These new plants will probably be highly robotic, so there will not be a great increase in jobs. If Donald Trump’s tariffs are here to stay, so is Trump’s inflation. Some workers may be moving to higher-paying jobs, but inflation will quickly eat up that increase. What about those currently employed who stay at their current jobs and current pay? The inflation will be even harder on them.

Trump’s answer to the inflation and shortage question was: “Americans will just have to do with less.” Then he used a callous example: “Little girls …instead of getting 30 dolls will just have to get two dolls.” What about the little girl who only got one doll? Does he mean that she should not get any? And what about those who barely had enough to get by and now have even less because of DOGE cuts? How are they supposed to do with less than not enough?

I have some serious questions for those who voted for Trump and Trump Republicans. Is this really what you voted for: to do with less? Is this really what Republicans want for their constituents? How does making our poor be poorer make America great again?

MARILYN KETTLER,

Presque Isle