President Donald Trump was criticized after he pushed back against critics of his tariffs, coming up with a new nickname for the "weak and stupid" people who oppose them.
The Trump administration’s newly imposed tariffs on imports from various countries have unsettled consumers, triggered a trade war, disrupted global markets, and sparked widespread fears of a potential recession in the U.S. and beyond.
His post follows the White House’s decision on Wednesday to impose a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imports—including those from U.S. allies and less economically active regions—while targeting countries with significant trade surpluses with even steeper rates.
Among the hardest hit: imports from China now face a 34 percent tariff; goods from the European Union, 20 percent; South Korea, 25 percent; Japan, 24 percent; and Taiwan, 32 percent. Mexico and Canada—key sources of U.S. produce—are exempt from the latest round, though the 25 percent tariffs introduced last month on both countries remain in place.
But Trump dismissed these concerns in a post on Truth Social, calling on Americans to be patient and not be a "panican":
“The United States has a chance to do something that should have been done DECADES AGO. Don’t be Weak! Don’t be Stupid! Don’t be a PANICAN (A new party based on Weak and Stupid people!). Be Strong, Courageous, and Patient, and GREATNESS will be the result!”
You can see his post below.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
The "panican" name angered many who saw that the president has no respect for the average American who will bear the brunt of these ill-advised tariffs.
It's also just a really bad attempt at a nickname.
As countries race to respond to Trump’s sweeping tariff announcements last week, U.S. diplomats and White House insiders are advising foreign governments to think creatively—beyond trade—as they prepare for negotiations.
According to five people familiar with the ongoing discussions, ideas on the table range widely—from helping free Americans wrongfully detained abroad, to forging closer ties with U.S. artificial intelligence firms, increasing purchases of American energy, or stepping up efforts against global drug trafficking.