It’s official: one of the loudest Democrats in the Senate just admitted that the Left got it wrong. Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania told Fox News Digital that President Trump’s tariff strategy—long mocked and vilified by Democrats—is “going well.” He even used the word “absolutely” when asked if Trump is winning the trade war. That’s not a word Washington throws around lightly.
Fetterman cited Bill Maher, a liberal commentator he respects, as another voice conceding that the doom-and-gloom predictions about tariffs tanking the economy haven’t come true. In his own words, Fetterman noted that the European Union trade battle “has been going well,” and that he’s watching what comes next with China.
New Tariffs on Canada: Fentanyl Crackdown
The senator’s remarks come on the heels of a new tariff announcement: a jump from 25% to 35% on Canada. Trump signed an executive order targeting the country for failing to help curb the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across the U.S. border. The White House made it clear—if you won’t help stop the poison pouring into America, you will pay for it. Tariffs are now part of the toolkit for holding neighboring nations accountable.
A Broader Tariff Strategy: Fair and Reciprocal Trade
In the same week, Trump signed another order adjusting reciprocal tariff rates with other countries. The stated goal: secure “fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade relationships” while reducing America’s exposure to foreign threats. This continues the strategy Trump launched back in April, when he announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports, with higher rates for nations running massive trade surpluses with the United States.
Historic Deals With the EU and Japan
The numbers tell the story. Under Trump’s tariff policy, the U.S. has struck deals that no one thought possible just a year ago. The European Union agreed to purchase $750 billion in American energy and invest $600 billion by 2028. On top of that, the EU accepted a 15% tariff structure that favors U.S. exports.
Japan followed suit, committing $550 billion in investments for rebuilding core American industries and pledging to open their markets wider to U.S. goods. Like the EU, Japan agreed to a baseline 15% tariff on its exports to America. This is leverage in action, and it’s paying off.
Democrats Keep Predicting Doom
Even with these results, prominent Democrats continue predicting economic collapse. Senator Jack Reed warned that tariffs will soon cause supply disruptions and rising prices. Senator Chris Van Hollen compared tariffs to a “national sales tax” and said they will hit American consumers. And Senator Elizabeth Warren claimed that Trump’s tariff policy is the reason the Federal Reserve has held back on interest rate cuts, blaming him for higher borrowing costs on credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages.
In other words, the same doom-and-gloom predictions that didn’t materialize before are being recycled now. There’s a pattern here.
Republicans See Wins for America
On the other side of the aisle, Republicans are calling Trump’s trade policy exactly what it is: a win. Senator Ted Cruz praised the deals as “big wins for America” and criticized Democrats for rooting against the economy because they can’t stand Trump. Louisiana’s Senator John Kennedy acknowledged that Trump’s leverage forced the EU to cave and hopes these victories ultimately lead to reciprocal zero tariffs.
“Ideal reciprocity,” Kennedy explained, “is zero on both sides. Let the best product at the best price win.”
The Bigger Picture: Reshaping the Global Economy
What’s clear is that Trump’s tariffs aren’t just about short-term negotiations—they are a reset of how global trade works. By forcing other nations to invest in America and by holding them accountable for trade imbalances and security failures, the administration is rewriting the rules. The fact that even Democrats like Fetterman can’t deny the success speaks volumes.
Will there be bumps ahead? Of course. But for now, the scoreboard shows Trump’s team putting points up fast, while the other side keeps hoping for a fumble that hasn’t come.
h/t: Steadfast and Loyal
