Republican Rep. Riley Moore defended President Donald Trump’s escalating trade war with China, claiming higher prices on imported goods are worth it for the future of American families.
Speaking with Fox Business host Stuart Varney, West Virginia Congressman Moore framed the tariff hikes as a moral obligation.
“We’re no longer going to barter [our children’s] future for cheap goods made in China,” he said, insisting America must “reorient” its economy away from cheap imports and toward domestic manufacturing.
VARNEY: So we don’t want cheap Chinese goods anymore? Consumers are not gonna be happy about that
REP. RILEY MOORE: We have communities and families with children and dreams and aspirations for those children, and we’re no longer going to barter their future for cheap goods made… pic.twitter.com/YIFgAIrpZs
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 4, 2025
Moore’s comments were mocked on social media, where users pointed out the economic reality facing average families already squeezed by inflation.
“Ah, the American Dream…Kids don’t need toys, they need tariffs!” one user posted. Another quipped, “Mommy, why does my juice box cost $7 now? Because, sweetie, tariffs are making America strong.”
The Party of small government is going to tell you what you do and don’t want to buy
— William Buecker (@wcbuecker) April 4, 2025
Critics blasted Moore for promoting an unrealistic vision of economic self-sufficiency, especially at a time when even basic consumer electronics rely heavily on Chinese manufacturing.
“They act like China only makes cheap goods…China makes all the other things you use too—computers, TV’s, phones anything else that requires a lot of labor & petrol chemicals,” one comment argued.
Others questioned whether the jobs Moore referred to truly represent progress for American families. “Do the families aspire to have their children work in factories producing the stuff that used to be made in China?” one user asked.
Yes, because everyone knows that a job in an American t-shirt factory will allow a worker to make enough money to buy a home, buy a car and put money aside for their retirement.
— 👊🇺🇸🔥 Turnbull (@cturnbull1968) April 4, 2025
Trump announced widespread tariff implementation earlier in the week, with the stock market seeing immediate fallout. Trump and his supporters promise any pinch felt by Americans will be worth it in the long run, but for now, those who lack faith in the administration are bracing for the economic impact of its policies.
Originally published on Latin Times
