Everybody’s talking about inflation, recession, depression, oppression, regression. This “shun,” that “shun,” whatever “shun.” All we are saying is give prosperity a chance!

President Trump is certainly taking bold decisive actions in every realm, but tariffs are the least understood and most misrepresented. Further, tariffs are just one tool and part of a comprehensive economic plan for America. Trump plainly stated this is an “economic revolution” and promised “historic results.” He candidly warned there would be short term pain as our economy realigns, but he also assured the economy would soon “boom.”

Trump’s tariff policy is complicated because it’s different for every nation based on what their tariffs are on American goods. All that creates uncertainty which stock markets abhor. The stock market is surely on a rough ride which has caused the Democrat Media Complex to scream with horror not because the wealthy people they hate lost money, but rather because they are grasping at straws to oppose Trump. Democrats and media are trying to aggravate Americans and panic markets. Some folks are concerned, but most realize the stock market rises and falls, but it has historically always increased. It’s surely scary at the moment, but no one thinks the stock market won’t come back and probably sooner rather than later.

Most people don’t understand international trade much less tariffs. A tariff is a tax imposed by a nation on certain goods imported from other nations. Nations resort to tariffs to raise revenues, protect domestic markets, or just to influence another nation like a negotiation. Until the U.S. introduced corporate taxes in 1894 and income taxes in 1913, the federal government was largely funded by tariffs. Tariffs can protect a nation’s domestic production from cheap foreign products overwhelming a specific industry. Or tariffs are just a tool to bring another nation to the negotiating table.

Trump is definitely bringing other nations to the table to negotiate, since over 50 nations are already contacting the U.S. to discuss tariffs. Trump’s tariffs will raise revenues to help reduce the debt, but his main objective is to bring manufacturing jobs back to America. He has already arranged new investments of about five-trillion dollars that will make domestic production expand and the economy boom. It will create new good jobs sorely needed by Americans.

Trump’s tariffs are also protecting existing industries. The United Auto Workers are cheering the tariffs for already bringing jobs back. Ford reversed course by deciding to expand production in Indiana instead of Mexico as planned. American shrimpers drowning in cheap Asian shrimp say Trump “threw them a lifeline." Even Democrat New Jersey Senator Chris Coons admits that tariffs on Chinese and Russian steel will level the playing field. Despite the Democrat Media Complex hand wringing, average Americans are already benefiting.

Beyond jobs, declining American manufacturing is a national security issue. Surely, we want American jobs, but there is a more troubling foundational problem. The USA can no longer build the ships necessary to sustain our trade, we no longer produce the pharmaceuticals we need, and we don’t control enough rare earth minerals to advance new technological applications. These are big problems.

The nation’s inability to produce computer chips, electronics, pharmaceuticals, steel, and other essential products puts the United States at a distinct disadvantage economically, but it’s also dangerous for our security. We are dependent on foreign sources for most of our goods and many of them are adversaries if not potential enemies. They can literally hold American consumers hostage in a dispute and possibly worst manipulation if conflict develops. Restoring manufacturing is vitally important to the nation’s long-term welfare.

Press and pundits are breathlessly panicking progressive voters that tariffs are just crazy and stupid. If tariffs are idiotic and ineffective, why does almost every other nation impose tariffs on American products?! Tariffs, as previously explained, are just one tool in the tool kit. Democrats are bemoaning Trump because he will actually use that tool to benefit Americans.

The other tools are equally important. Congress must pass Trump’s tax cuts, so Americans can keep more of their money to invest and spend. Deregulation must be speedily implemented to relieve our economy of the tremendous bureaucratic burden, and the excessive costs of compliance are not providing any value or improvement. Perhaps most important, the size of government must be dramatically reduced, and spending must be slashed. The main driver of inflation is government overspending, and it must be stopped to save the republic. All these tools must be used together.

Our economy, manufacturing, and all industries have been hobbled by years of mismanagement and manipulation to put everyone else before American interests, so it will take some time to rectify our predicament. Thinking Americans are patient and not spooked by the silly sensationalism. It may take weeks or months, but it won’t be years. Trump’s plan is to have our economy in high gear well before the 2026 midterm elections. Most of Trump’s plans have been vindicated, so no reason to doubt him now. Average Americans elected Trump do make major changes, so they will give him a chance. Beyond the comedic antics, ignore the hysteria.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

Pete Riehm is a Navy Veteran, conservative activist, and columnist in south Alabama. Email him at peteriehm@bellsouth.net or read all his columns at http://www.renewamerica.com/.