‘They Will Feel Pain’: Kristi Noem Weighs In On Trump’s Tariffs

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said over the weekend that the point of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on other countries is to “make them feel pain.”

Noem made the remarks during a Sunday interview on NBC News’ “Meet The Press” when asked about the tariffs Trump announced last week.

“These countries have an opportunity to get on board with the President of the United States and to partner with us to deal with illegal immigration, to take back their individuals that have been in our country illegally,” she said. “We want to repatriate them home. And they can be partners. So economically, yes, they will feel – they will feel pain. They will feel what this consequences are, and we’ll be able to continue to go forward with a president who’s strong, who’s putting America first.”

Host Kristen Welker noted that Trump indicated that the reason he was implementing the tariffs was to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and illegal aliens into the U.S.

When asked about tariffs leading to higher prices for consumers and how that helps Trump fulfill his campaign promise of lowering prices, Noem pointed to the administration’s recent spat with Colombia.

“You’ve seen the president take action already this week with Colombia,” Noem said. “And you saw Colombia react in a very positive way that was good for everyone involved. Canada, Mexico, other countries have the opportunity to do exactly the same. So we have a strong leader. He has laid down exactly what he is going to do and what the consequences are. I encourage their leadership teams to get on board and to make sure that they’re not pushing up prices.”

“If prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws,” she claimed. “And that’s what President Trump is doing. He is making sure that we’re not picking and choosing winners and losers, that the law applies equally to everybody, American citizens. It applies to those who are here illegally. And our world leaders across the country and across the world, they can help us, or they’re going to face some consequences.”