Washington’s corporate press and professional hand-wringers are panicking over President Donald Trump’s bold new tariff agenda. But here in Florida, we know better. For decades, we watched factories shutter, our manufacturing base hollowed out, and good-paying jobs outsourced to foreign countries—often in the name of “free trade” that was anything but free. President Trump’s tariffs aren’t a risk to the American economy but a necessary correction. And they’re already laying the foundation for a long-overdue jobs revival in Florida.
Florida isn’t just beaches and tourism. We’re home to ports, aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, agriculture, and a booming logistics industry. The problem is that we’ve often been forced to compete on an unfair playing field—with foreign nations like China that subsidize their industries, manipulate their currencies, and flood our markets with underpriced goods. Mexico, in particular, has flooded the U.S. market with heavily subsidized produce, devastating Florida’s farmers and stripping away our seasonal market share. Tariffs and negotiated trade deals are a way to reset the table, hold our trading partners accountable, and bring American jobs back home.
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President Trump’s critics love to harp on tariffs. Still, they conveniently ignore the bigger picture—he’s not just imposing tariffs, he’s negotiating tough, America-first trade deals that put our workers and producers first. These deals are designed to level the playing field, protect American industries, and create lasting economic opportunities for the country and Florida. For every penny that might be added to the cost of a cheap import, there’s a dollar gained in American wages, dignity, and domestic production. And here in Florida, that gain could be massive.
Don’t fall for the media panic—tariffs aren’t just taxes, they’re a negotiation tool that works! At RWA, we help conservative investors stay focused on long-term success, not short-term noise. Learn more here: https://t.co/qIswr5fdso#AmericaFirst #TradePolicy #InvestSmart pic.twitter.com/fgsliMx1l9
— RubinWA (@RubinWA) February 4, 2025
Take the aluminum and steel industries. Florida may not be the Rust Belt, but our construction, defense, and transportation sectors rely on affordable, domestically produced steel and aluminum. Trump’s tariffs on foreign metals directly hit China’s market manipulation, giving American producers a fighting chance. That means more activity at ports like Tampa and Jacksonville, contracts for small and mid-sized businesses, and local jobs supporting everything from housing to infrastructure.
Or look at agriculture. Florida’s farmers have been under siege from Mexico’s unfairly subsidized produce and China’s retaliatory tariffs. But Trump didn’t blink—he stood by Florida growers and delivered billions in aid while forcing trade partners back to the negotiating table. The result? Stronger trade deals like the USMCA and a White House that finally puts Florida’s citrus, vegetable, and cattle producers first.
Then there’s the long-term benefit few pundits want to discuss: the return of American manufacturing and supply chains. COVID showed us how dangerous it is to depend on China for essential goods. From pharmaceuticals to semiconductors, we need to make things in America again. Trump’s tariffs don’t just punish China—they incentivize American companies to re-shore production. That’s already creating a surge in domestic investment, and Florida stands to gain significantly.
Space Coast cities like Melbourne and Cape Canaveral are magnets for high-tech manufacturing. With the right trade policies, we can supercharge the aerospace sector, add thousands of jobs, and lead the next wave of American innovation. The same goes for Pensacola’s defense corridor, Miami’s logistics hubs, and the I-4 corridor’s advanced manufacturing sites. Tariffs level the playing field and give Florida’s workers a shot at building the future.
Of course, Wall Street doesn’t like this. The globalist class is angry because the rules are changing, and they’re no longer writing them. They want cheap labor abroad and limitless imports, even if it means decimating American communities. However, Trump’s tariffs are about Main Street, not Wall Street. They’re about the welder in Ocala, the port worker in Jacksonville, the citrus farmer in Fort Myers, and the logistics coordinator in Lakeland.
Market volatility may occur in the short term. That’s the price of rebalancing a rigged system. However, in the long term, Trump’s approach is the only one that makes sense. You can’t build a strong nation on foreign sweatshops and debt-fueled consumption. You build it by making things again, valuing labor, and putting America first.
Floridians understand this because we’ve seen both sides of the equation. We’ve watched jobs disappear overseas, wages stagnate, and communities suffer. We’re seeing the early signs of revival—shipments increasing, companies hiring, training programs expanding, and investment flowing into once obsolete industries.
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President Trump’s tariff policy is not about isolation but restoration. It’s about restoring America’s ability to compete and build and giving the next generation of Floridians a future that isn’t tethered to Beijing’s whims or multinational boardroom decisions.
Florida’s economy has thrived on bold leadership—from rebuilding after hurricanes to launching rockets into space. Trump’s tariffs are just the latest example of leadership prioritizing our people, jobs, and future. Critics will complain. Markets may fluctuate. But if we stay the course, Florida’s workers—and America—will win.
And this time, we won’t just be watching the recovery. We’ll be building it—right here, at home.
Bob Rubin is a politically conservative entrepreneur and the Founder and President of Rubin Wealth Advisors. He is dedicated to his family, conservative politics, local sports, and serving his clients and community as a 40-year Boca Raton, FL, resident. Bob is a Trustee Emeritus of Florida Atlantic University and sits on its finance corporation board. He is also proud to be a member of Turning Point USA’s National Advisory Board, a conservative organization fighting against progressive indoctrination on university and high school campuses. In addition, Bob supports Chabad’s Friendship Circle, Jerusalem Heritage House, and several local charities, including the Miracle League of Delray and Autism After 21. To learn more about Bob, click here.
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