President Trump recently stated that his tariffs are “bringing in trillions of dollars” and have resulted in “record investment in the USA, with plants and factories emerging everywhere.” This claim highlights the economic impact of his trade policies.

The results of Trump’s national security trade measures are becoming evident. For years, foreign nations exploited trade agreements, creating imbalances that led to significant job losses in the U.S. Now, under Trump’s leadership, there is a focused effort to create a fair trading environment for American workers.

During my tenure as the 30th U.S. press secretary and White House communications director in Trump’s first administration, I observed how international partners often manipulated trade to the detriment of American employees. While accompanying Trump on the campaign trail, I met many Americans who felt neglected due to these unfair practices. Such trade imbalances have threatened key industries, like aluminum and steel, ultimately posing a risk to national security.

The evidence is clear: Trump’s national security trade actions are delivering real results. After decades of exploitation by foreign countries, which created an unfair trade dynamic that killed millions of U.S. jobs, we finally have a president who is committed to leveling the playing field for American workers. 

Serving as the 30th U.S. press secretary and White House communications director during the first Trump administration, I witnessed firsthand how “trading partners” manipulated markets, almost always at the expense of American workers. Traveling with Trump on the campaign trail, I met so many of the forgotten men and women of America, whose lives were upended by foreign countries’ cheating. Unfair trade practices threaten vital industries like aluminum and steel and put our nation’s security at risk. 

More Americans should appreciate how essential domestically produced materials are to our national security especially in the area of ship building. Aluminum is a key component of naval vessels, armored vehicles, fighter jets and modern weapons systems. Steel is used to build our warships of all sizes including aircraft carriers. Without domestic production of these critical metals needed for our military, America is less prosperous, and Americans are less safe. 

Trump imposed Section 232 tariffs on aluminum and steel during the first term and, upon his historic reelection, raised the tariff rates to 50 percent and eliminated exemptions, to save domestic manufacturing. As the Trump administration works diligently to rebuild America’s steel and aluminum industries, countries like Canada continue to manipulate the market with subsidies and unfair trade tactics that necessitated this tariff in the first place. 

An OECD report indicated that the Canadian government has been tipping the scales for years, granting nearly $1 billion in subsidies to their aluminum plants. And Canada is back at it again, announcing hundreds of millions in additional subsidies for Quebec’s aluminum industry. American aluminum plants adhere to free market principles while the Canadians get handouts. 

During the Biden presidency, Canada got a tariff exemption with devastating results. Three U.S. aluminum smelters shut their doors, killing off thousands of good-paying aluminum manufacturing jobs as Canada flooded the U.S. market with their subsidized aluminum. Our great nation, which once had 23 operating smelters, is now down to just four. Canada, however, has maintained all ten of its smelters. 

Now once again, the liberal Canadian government is pressing for exemptions from President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs, even as they continue cheating. The Aluminium Association of Canada argues that the Canadian aluminum industry should “double down on its advantage – clean energy, secure supply, and global market relevance to protect its long-term interests.” The Canadian special interest group led by left-wing activist Jean Simard fails to mention that Canadian aluminum producers get massive government subsidies.

Canada just announced another $854 million in government handouts for their domestic producers. This is hardly a level playing field. Without American aluminum and steel, our industrial strength falters, supply chains become vulnerable, and the communities that rely on these jobs are put at risk.

Many left-leaning special interest groups like the Aluminum Association, seek to undermine Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs so they can move jobs to plants overseas. Despite these efforts, Trump’s plan is working.

Novelis just confirmed that they are committed to strengthening the U.S. aluminum supply chain and will open their new $5 billion aluminum rolling plant in Bay Minette, Ala. next year. In South Carolina, Century Aluminum is investing $50 million to expand production at their aluminum smelter, which will increase U.S. production by 10 percent. Century Aluminum has also announced plans to invest billions and build a new U.S aluminum smelter, creating over 1,000 new U.S. manufacturing jobs. 

Trump’s tariff gains aren’t theoretical, they are translating into real jobs, stronger local economies, and greater financial stability for tens of thousands of American families. Any exemption from the Section 232 aluminum tariff will shift good-paying U.S. manufacturing jobs overseas. When we put America First, the American people win every time.

Under Trump’s visionary leadership, we are choosing strength over vulnerability, self-reliance over dependency, and long-term national security over short-term political convenience. The 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum imports, without loopholes or exemptions, is making America stronger every day. Trump’s national security tariffs are not just sound economic policy; they are a strategic necessity that will help make our country great again.

Sean Spicer served as the 30th White House press secretary under President Trump and is the host of “The Sean Spicer Show.”