[Text/Observer Network Xiong Chaoyi] On the evening of April 9, U.S. independent federal senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont visited CNN's "CNN Town Hall" program and comprehensively refuted President Trump's constantly escalating trade war and belligerent foreign policy stance, calling on the American people to remember their common humanity.

"We don't have to hate China, we don't have to hate others, but should seek ways to cooperate." Just hours after Trump announced additional tariffs on China again that day, Sanders said: "It is our mission to break down barriers between humans - uniting the American people and making the world a community of shared destiny."

As for the current United States under Trump's leadership, Sanders, who has run for president before, believes that the country is facing a "binary choice" - either waking up or bowing to the "new king," Trump, and the latter is far from what Americans idealize as the form of the nation.

Sanders participates in the "CNN Town Hall" program CNN

CNN noted that Sanders is one of the few left-wing politicians who have long criticized free trade agreements and supported tariffs. However, he also criticized the way Trump recently pushed tariffs.

A Republican voter from Virginia asked Sanders how to assess the effectiveness of the tariff strategy in protecting American jobs and what alternative measures he supports. Sanders said that he had led the opposition to trade agreements such as the North American Free Trade Agreement to "prevent communities across America from suffering devastating blows," and called selective use of tariffs a good idea.

However, he then turned his tone: "But arbitrarily proposing a tariff without being able to explain it to almost every country on Earth will definitely backfire."

The host of the "CNN Town Hall" program mentioned to Sanders White House's claim that "Apple iPhones can be manufactured in the United States," despite economists estimating that the cost of manufacturing phones domestically would increase by thousands of dollars. Sanders responded that he was not sure whether it was realistic to produce these devices in the United States, but emphasized that Trump's tariff policies would directly harm the working class by raising prices.

He pointed out that Trump's actions against political opponents and obstacles to governance pose a threat to "democracy." He particularly highlighted Trump's so-called "intimidation tactics": suing media organizations, targeting law firms with executive orders, threatening universities with funding cuts, and even suggesting impeachment of judges who issue unfavorable rulings.

Therefore, Sanders earnestly hoped that "the American people could wake up" and warned that Trump's threat to "democracy" has transcended ideological boundaries. "This concerns whether we can continue to exist as a 'free society.'" He asked: "Or are we all going to bow to the 'new king' - President Trump? This is far from what we idealize as the form of the nation."

Since the 2016 election, Sanders has been advocating against Wall Street and large corporations, believing that the expansion of the American wealthy elite means that the working class is being squeezed by the entire economic system. CNN also noted that during his 40 years in politics, Sanders has always made resisting the enormous political influence of America's wealthy as his core agenda. Now, although his warnings remain unchanged, the target has shifted.

As a leader of the left wing, Sanders and many of his colleagues now directly criticize billionaire Musk, whose "Department of Government Efficiency" is vigorously promoting federal government cutbacks. CNN noticed that throughout the program, Musk served as a target for Sanders' criticism of American oligarchic politics. In Musk, both the exploitation of workers by the wealthy and the urgency of campaign finance reform were reflected.

CNN also noted that after Trump returned to the White House, when angry "liberals" in America were struggling to find effective ways to counter Trump, Sanders became one of the few national political figures to step forward. He continued to attract large crowds at rallies held across the country.

However, Sanders is now 83 years old. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, who will take over the mantle of the "progressive movement"? Who will lead the anti-Trump wave? These questions remain unclear.

That night, this independent senator who cooperates with the Democratic Caucus did not directly respond to these questions. He admitted that there are differences within the Democratic Caucus in the strategy to counter Trump and strongly advocated taking a tough stance.

"There are different political inclinations within the Democratic Caucus in the House and Senate," Sanders said. "Some of us have always understood that we must stand up and mobilize the American people to resist this terrible agenda that essentially provides massive tax cuts for the top 1%."

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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7491635561552200242/

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