United States President Donald Trump reaffirmed his confidence in the impact of his administration's reciprocal tariff policies on Thursday, likening the U.S. economy to a patient successfully recovering from surgery. "The operation is over, the patient lived," Trump wrote in a statement posted to TruthSocial. He continued, "The prognosis is that the patient will be far stronger, bigger, better, and more resilient than ever before. Make America Great Again."

Trump’s remarks come in the wake of a significant expansion of tariff measures targeting a broad range of international trade partners. The administration has framed the strategy as a necessary correction to decades of perceived trade imbalances that disadvantaged American workers and industries.

While the president struck an optimistic tone about the long-term outcome, financial markets delivered an immediate and stark reaction. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped more than 1,370 points shortly after the opening bell, reflecting investor anxiety over the broader economic consequences of the latest round of tariffs.

Analysts point to concerns about increased costs for imported goods, potential retaliation from trade partners, and uncertainty about global supply chains as key drivers behind the market plunge. Despite this, the Trump administration has maintained that short-term volatility is an acceptable price to pay for long-term gains in trade fairness and domestic economic strength.

The White House has not issued further details on how it plans to mitigate the immediate impact on markets or consumers. However, Trump's continued messaging suggests a firm commitment to the course, underscoring his belief that the U.S. economy will emerge stronger as a result of these policies.

Trump’s rhetoric, invoking the image of a medical recovery, aims to reassure the public and investors that the pain associated with the tariffs is temporary and part of a broader healing process. The statement aligns with the administration’s broader narrative that economic transformation requires tough but necessary decisions.

As businesses and global markets continue to respond, all eyes remain on the administration’s next steps and how trade partners may retaliate or respond diplomatically. For now, Trump’s message is clear: the treatment is working, and the United States is on the mend.