At the Oprah Winfrey Show in 1988, the host and producer, Oprah questioned now US President Donald Trump as to what he “would do differently” in light of his criticism of the US foreign policy. His almost futuristic remark has made the video resurface on social media as Trump was seen wanting to make his “allies pay their fare share” calling the United States of America a “debtor nation”.

He added to his monologous response by saying “something’s going to happen over the next number of years” making the clip go viral on amidst his global tariff frenzy. After citing Japan’s trade that caused the US to “lose $200 million” he emphasised with conviction that it wasn’t “free trade” . Pointing out the contrast, he mentioned how the Japanese “made it impossible” for international players to enter their market without having overt laws about it.

Further in his response to Oprah Winfrey’s question, he added that “Kuwait, they live like kings” while US facilitates the oil trade for them questioning as to why the US wasn’t paid twenty-five percent of what they earnt, he jokingly added. A point to ponder though, it is almost as if Trump predicted the future of making his allies pay.

Interestingly, when Oprah commented on his remarks being “a political presidential talk” whether he would ever contest, he declined while expressing his opinion as he was “tired to see the country being ripped off” and he was “happy” with what he was doing.

Trump, this week, unveiled another level of his extensive tariff scheme imposing a significant 10% baseline tax on imports for most countries and nearly 25% for those running trade surpluses within the US. Stellantis, a auto-parts conglomerate has decided to temporarily pause production in Mexico and Canada leaving over 4,000 employees idle and laying off 900 employees amid the Trump tariff pressure.