Oh how quickly things change and Democrats lie!
A 1996 video of Nancy Pelosi is suddenly going viral—and it’s not hard to see why. In the clip, the California Democrat sounds like she’s reading straight from President Donald Trump’s playbook on trade.
Speaking on the House floor nearly three decades ago, Pelosi slammed the U.S.-China trade relationship as “one-sided” and a “job loser” for the American worker. She passionately argued that China was exploiting weak American policies, and she called for bold action—including tariffs.
“In terms of tariffs,” Pelosi said, “the average U.S. tariff on Chinese goods is just 2%, while China charges the U.S. 35%. Is that reciprocal?”
Her message was clear: America was getting ripped off. And she wanted action.
Pelosi in 1996: China Is Taking American Jobs
Pelosi painted a bleak picture of U.S.-China trade, warning that the imbalance was hurting everyday Americans.
“China benefits with at least 10 million jobs from U.S.-China trade,” she said. “The U.S.? Just 170,000 jobs. This is the biggest and cruelest hoax of all.”
She called out not just the tariffs, but China’s protectionist policies, lack of market access, and the failure of U.S. lawmakers to push back.
It was a moment of rare honesty from the Democrat—one that today’s progressives seem eager to forget.
WATCH:
Incredible clip from 1996. Nancy Pelosi on tariffs and the trade deficit with China.
"On this day, your member of Congress could have drawn the line to say to the President of the United States, do something about this US-China trade relationship that is a job loser for the… pic.twitter.com/DFlQ9wWSKh
— MAZE (@mazemoore) April 3, 2025
President Trump: Fighting for Fair Trade and American Jobs
Fast forward to 2025, and President Trump is taking bold action where previous administrations failed. In his powerful “Liberation Day” speech this week, he announced a series of reciprocal tariffs aimed at fixing decades of trade abuse.
“For decades, the United States slashed trade barriers for others, while they hammered us with tariffs and unfair regulations,” Trump said from the White House Rose Garden. “Those days are over.”
Here’s what Trump’s new tariffs look like:
- EU: 20% tariff (compared to their 39% on U.S. goods)
- Japan: 24% (vs. 46% on U.S. exports)
- China: 34% tariff (China charges 67% on American goods)
This bold move is aimed at protecting American industries, bringing back U.S. manufacturing, and restoring economic sovereignty.
Now Pelosi Calls Trump’s Tariffs ‘Reckless’?
Despite her past remarks, Pelosi is now attacking Trump’s policy. She posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs will cause chaos in our economy, raise prices for consumers and hurt hardworking American families.”
It’s a stunning reversal from someone who once demanded stronger trade protections and called the U.S.-China relationship a scam.
Even Bernie Flip-Flopped on Tariffs
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has also changed his tune. In 2008, he mocked globalists and pushed for tariffs to save American jobs. He warned about U.S. factories shutting down and moving to China, saying:
“What we need is to allow corporate America the freedom to throw American workers out on the street… as we shut down plants and move to China.”
Now? Sanders claims Trump’s tariffs are “arbitrary” and “a massive tax hike.”
His office clarified that he supports “targeted tariffs”—but not Trump’s aggressive defense of American jobs.
WATCH:
2008. Bernie Sanders: Free trade without tariffs will destroy American manufacturing.
Of course Bernie now says that Trump's tariffs will destroy America. 🤡 pic.twitter.com/H61VBdoeag
— MAZE (@mazemoore) April 3, 2025
Conservatives See Through the Hypocrisy
For millions of older Americans who lived through plant closures and rising trade deficits, these flip-flops from Pelosi and Sanders are nothing new. What’s different now is that President Trump is actually doing something about it.
He’s fighting back against foreign governments and multinational corporations that have gutted the American middle class for decades.
And while career politicians in Washington talk in circles, Trump is taking action—putting America first and standing up for the working men and women who built this country.
Bottom Line: Nancy Pelosi used to demand tariffs to protect American jobs. Now, she attacks Trump for doing just that. The only thing that’s changed? Trump is actually getting it done.
But but but they are not being hypocritical – their positions are simply ‘evolving’ – or that is what they are trying to convince their sycophants to believe.