By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews.com
Last week, Rep. Keith Self took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise President Trump’s economic performance, citing 177,000 jobs added in April — with gains in healthcare, transportation, hospitality, and finance. His post was upbeat and firmly in MAGA territory: “President Trump continues crushing expectations!”
But here in Texas’ 3rd Congressional District — where residents are juggling rising grocery bills, higher utility costs, and inflated prices on everyday items — the question many are asking is this: If the economy is so strong, why does everything feel more expensive?
The Numbers Are Real — But So Are the Caveats
Yes, April’s jobs report was solid. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 177,000 new jobs were added, with healthcare leading the way and notable growth across several other sectors. The labor market remains resilient — that part is true.
What Rep. Self conveniently leaves out is that this job growth is part of a broader recovery that began before Trump returned to office. And more critically, it’s now colliding with Trump’s revived tariff policies — policies that are actively driving up costs for families and businesses right here in Collin County.
According to a 2024 Reuters analysis, major U.S. retailers are already bracing for price hikes due to the Trump administration’s expanded tariffs on Chinese imports, with costs expected to hit consumer goods like electronics, clothing, and home items. The National Retail Federation has warned that these tariffs function as a hidden tax on American families. Small businesses — including those across Collin County — often lack the scale to absorb these rising costs, forcing them to either cut back or raise prices, which can slow hiring and growth.
Tariffs Are Driving Up Prices Across TX-03
Tariffs on Chinese imports — recently revived by the Trump administration and publicly backed by Rep. Self — are already driving up prices. A 2024 Reuters report notes major retailers like Walmart and Target are bracing for higher costs on essentials like electronics, clothing, and home goods. The National Retail Federation calls these tariffs a “hidden tax” on American families.
In TX-03, that impact hits close to home. From Plano to Princeton, small businesses are feeling the pressure as shipping and production costs climb. With tighter margins, prices go up or hiring slows down.
Even U.S.-made products aren’t spared, since many rely on imported parts and materials. Tariffs anywhere in the supply chain raise the final price — squeezing local businesses and household budgets alike.
Adding to the strain, Trump’s offhand comment about making Canada the “51st state” has chilled cross-border relations, contributing to a drop in Canadian tourism to North Texas — a quiet but very real hit to the local travel and hospitality economy.
Wages Aren’t Keeping Up
Another thing conspicuously missing from Rep. Self’s rah-rah tweet? The reality that while job numbers are up, wages aren’t keeping pace with the rising cost of living. Rent is up. Utilities are up. Groceries and fuel remain stubbornly high—despite Trump’s claim that gas is $1.99 “in some places,” a statement that hasn’t been independently verified and doesn’t reflect what most drivers in TX-03 are actually paying.
Across TX-03, families are watching their paychecks stretch thinner each month — a critical piece of the economic picture that Self chose to ignore. While average salaries are projected to rise just 3.7% this year — slightly less than the 4% average increase in 2023 — those modest gains are being outpaced by rising costs, leaving many working families struggling to stay ahead.
It’s not just about how many jobs exist. It’s about what they pay, and what it costs to live where they’re offered.
Talking Cuts, Dodging Costs
Rep. Self has echoed Trump’s calls for sweeping tax cuts — but offered no plan to pay for them. Defense spending remains untouched, corporate loopholes ignored, and farm subsidies fully intact.
Without real answers, voters are left with slogans, not strategy. And the risk is real: growing deficits could drive up interest rates, hitting mortgages, credit cards, and small business loans across TX-03
Final Thought
The job market is strong — and that’s worth recognizing. But it doesn’t cancel out the pressure tariffs are putting on TX-03 families or the broader question of how we’ll pay for promised tax cuts and spending hikes.
If Rep. Self wants to celebrate the economy, that’s fair. But if he wants to level with voters, he should tell the whole story — not just the parts that poll well.