Trump defends tariffs after China retaliates, falsely claims tariff revenue will compensate farmers

On May 13, 2019, China announced retaliatory tariffs of 5% to 25% on $60 billion worth of US goods, effective June 1, in response to Trump's increase of tariffs on Chinese goods. The move triggered a slide in US stock markets. Trump responded on Twitter the following day, claiming 'great patriot farmers' would benefit from the tariffs and that any losses would be compensated from tariff revenue. He repeated the disinformation that tariffs are paid by China, ignoring that they are borne by American importers and consumers.

“This money will come from the massive tariffs being paid to the United States for allowing China, and others, to do business with us. The farmers have been ‘forgotten’ for many years. Their time is now!” Quote verified against source