President Donald Trump emphasized the central role of the U.S. economy in global stability during a December 10, 2025, White House roundtable with leading CEOs, including Michael Dell. Speaking candidly, Trump stated, “Without this economy there is no world. You could go to some of these wonderful countries that you think are so great. One reason is because we allowed them to get rich off of us.”

The President’s remarks underscored his longstanding critique of historical U.S. trade policies, noting that countries such as Switzerland benefited from minimal tariffs and favorable market access while American industries and consumers bore the cost. Trump framed the discussion within his broader “America First” agenda, which emphasizes negotiating fairer deals to ensure U.S. economic strength remains the foundation of both domestic prosperity and global influence.

At the roundtable, CEOs discussed international markets, supply chains, and investment flows, with Trump stressing that American economic leadership provides the underlying stability enabling other nations to thrive. He argued that equitable trade policies and strategic economic initiatives are essential to maintaining U.S. competitiveness while safeguarding the country’s global leverage.

Trump’s message reflects his administration’s continued focus on protecting American interests through stronger trade enforcement, industrial growth, and fair market access. By highlighting the dependency of other nations on the U.S. economy, he reinforced the argument that maintaining domestic economic strength is both a national and international imperative.