Trump Gathers Supporters at CPAC... "The Fight Hasn't Even Started"

U.S. President Donald Trump actively promoted the tariff war and other policies in front of his supporters. He emphasized that "the fight hasn't even started yet" and vowed to continue strong tariff wars in the future.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on February 22, 2025 in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI Yonhap News

According to major foreign media including The New York Times (NYT) on the 22nd (local time), President Trump said at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Oxon Hill, Maryland, "We will collect a lot of money through tariffs," adding, "The United States was relatively wealthy thanks to tariffs imposed from 1870 to 1913." During his speech, which lasted about 70 minutes, President Trump referred to tariffs as a "powerful diplomatic tool" and worked hard to promote a policy of expanding comprehensive tariff imposition.

He also justified discussions about ending the Russia-Ukraine war. President Trump said, "I want to be a peacemaker, not a conqueror," and added, "I am trying to get money back or secure it from Ukraine. They want to give something for all the money we have given." He continued, "We are demanding rare earths, oil, and other things we can obtain," and added, "In my opinion, we are close to an agreement."

President Trump criticized his predecessor, former U.S. President Joe Biden, and officials of the Biden administration. Trump said, "Former President Biden was sleepy, corrupt, terrible, the worst president in American history," and added, "I have to clean up the mess left behind, including border issues and inflation."

He further emphasized, "As of January 20 this year, the dark era of incompetence marked by high taxes, destructive regulations, rampant inflation, blatant corruption, and 'government weaponization' is over," stressing, "They (the Biden administration and the Democrats) are finished." January 20 is the day of President Trump's inauguration.

President Trump led chants from the supporters gathered at the event. The event resembled a 'MAGA' (Make America Great Again) revival rally. He said, "I haven't even started the fight yet, and neither have you," and shouted, "Over the next four years, we will work hard and fight. Fight!" The word "Fight" was also a slogan he shouted standing up after being shot during a campaign rally in July last year.