House Democrat Informs Trump Commerce Secretary, ‘We Cannot Build Bananas in America’

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick earned an amusing rebuke on Thursday after he insisted the U.S. “produce” and “build” bananas.

Testifying before the House Appropriations Committee, Lutnick answered questions from lawmakers, including Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), who pressed him on President Donald Trump’s tariffs, particularly bananas. The U.S. imports the fruit from several Latin American countries, most prominently Guatemala, Ecuador, and Costa Rica.

“What’s the tariff on bananas?” she asked while brandishing a banana. “Americans, by the way, love bananas. We buy billions of them a year. I love bananas. What’s the tariff on bananas?”

“The tariff on bananas would be representative of the countries that produce them,” Lutnick replied.

“And what’s that tariff?” she pressed.

“Generally, 10 percent,” he answered.

Dean went on to say Walmart has raised the price of bananas by eight percent, and Lutnick replied that prices will go back down as the U.S. secures trade deals.

“But the cost is on the American consumer now and on the businesses with the confusion now,” Dean shot back. “Mr. Secretary, I believe you know better. I believe you recognize that a trade deficit is not something to fear. I believe you know that predictability, stability is essential for businesses. I wish you would show that truth to this administration.”

Dean yielded back, and Lutnick asked for and was given permission to respond, which led to this exchange:

LUTNICK: There’s no uncertainty if you build in America and you produce your product in America. There will be no tariff.

DEAN: We can’t produce bananas in America.

LUTNICK: The concept of building in America and paying no tariffs is very, very clear.

DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America.

LUTNICK: Fighting for imports is not the same.

DEAN: We cannot build bananas in America.

In April, Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on more than 100 countries in an event at the White House that he dubbed “Liberation Day.”

Watch above via PBS.