WASHINGTON (TNND) — President Donald Trump is doubling down on his tariff policies, defending them as vital for America's long-term economic prosperity. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump stated that while there might be some short-term pain, the country is heading toward a "Golden Age” with "spectacular" results.

"This will be the Golden Age of America! Will there be some pain? Yes, maybe (and maybe not!)," Trump wrote. "But we will make America great again, and it will all be worth the price that must be paid."

The president has made tariffs a cornerstone of his second term, arguing they will bolster U.S. manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign imports. Notably, Trump imposed a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports, seeking to strengthen domestic industries. Additionally, imports from China are subject to a 20% tariff due to the country's role in fentanyl production.

While Trump's tariffs have received praise from some supporters as necessary for economic reform, others, including trade experts and economists, warn of negative consequences. Critics argue that the tariffs could lead to higher prices for consumers and disrupt supply chains, while proponents contend that they are useful negotiation tools for trade and border security.

The Republican president has pointed to corporate investments in the U.S. as evidence of the success of his tariff policies. On Friday, Trump highlighted Apple’s decision to invest $500 billion in U.S. manufacturing, crediting the tariffs for encouraging companies to bring production back to American soil.

"I think you’re going to have a country that’s going to boom," Trump said, referencing a conversation he had with Apple CEO Tim Cook. "He told me, 'I would have never done it if you had lost the election and I would have never done it if there wasn’t a tariff system.'"

Trump is also set to implement reciprocal tariffs, including a 25% tariff on goods from Mexico and Canada, two of the United States' largest trading partners. The reciprocal tariffs, slated to take effect on April 3, will apply to countries that impose tariffs on U.S. exports. Trump has repeatedly criticized the U.S. for allowing other nations to levy tariffs on American goods without repercussions.

In a phone interview with NBC News posted on Saturday, Trump said, "The world has been ripping off the United States for the last 40 years and more. And all we’re doing is being fair, and frankly, I’m being very generous."

In addition to steel and aluminum tariffs, Trump has announced a 25% tariff on all automobile imports, effective on "Liberation Day." He has also floated the possibility of imposing similar measures on industries including pharmaceuticals, copper, and computer chips. "We’ll be announcing it very soon, but we have to bring back drugs and pharmaceuticals back into our country," he said on Friday aboard Air Force One, without providing the rate. He told reporters that he doesn’t want the U.S. to rely on other countries like it did during the COVID pandemic.

Trump’s tariff agenda extends beyond trade imbalances, with the president also using tariffs as a tool to secure the U.S. border and address geopolitical tensions. In a TruthSocial post, he warned that nations purchasing oil from Venezuela, which he labeled "very hostile" to the U.S., would face a 25% tariff on all their trade with the U.S. starting April 2.

Trump has also threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil if the country is seen as responsible for stalling peace efforts in Ukraine. In a phone interview with NBC News, Trump expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him out for his remarks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Trump said that if he believed Russia was to blame for the ongoing conflict, he would impose a 25% tariff on Russian oil.

Over the weekend, Trump told NBC News' "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker he is "angry" and "pissed off" with Russian President Vladimir Putin over remarks made about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership. "If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault, which it might not be. I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia."

Trump is also considering secondary tariffs on Iran if the country fails to reach a nuclear deal with the U.S. On Sunday, Trump told reporters, "We're going to make a decision on secondary tariffs on Iran based on whether or not they're going to make a deal. If they're going to make a deal, then we're never going to put secondary tariffs." "I can't imagine them doing anything else but making a deal," he added.

Trump also said on Sunday the tariffs he plans to announce Wednesday would be "far more generous" than what other countries charge the United States. "They will be kinder than those countries were to the United States of America over the decades," he told reporters.

During Wednesday's announcement, the world can expect "all countries" to be mentioned. "You'd start with all countries. So let's see what happens. There are many countries," Trump said in response to a question about how many countries would face tariffs in the April 2 announcement. "We're going to be much more generous to them in terms of heart. We're going to be much more generous than they were to us."

Despite growing criticism of his tariff policies, Trump remains resolute. In another TruthSocial post, he declared, “LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA IS COMING, SOON. FOR YEARS WE HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY VIRTUALLY EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, BOTH FRIEND AND FOE. BUT THOSE DAYS ARE OVER.”

As the president continues with his tariff plans, the impacts remain a topic of debate, with supporters praising the policies as necessary for U.S. economic security, while others worry about potential negative effects on the global market and domestic consumers