"Access to cheap goods is not the essence of the American dream," Bessent said during a speech to the Economic Club of New York. "The American Dream is rooted in the concept that any citizen can achieve prosperity, upward mobility, and economic security. For too long, the designers of multilateral trade deals have lost sight of this."

A fixture on Artesia City Council for more than a decade, Ali Taj wants to preserve the American dream for the 67th Assembly District, which encompasses several O.C. cities.

President Trump told Congress Tuesday that "the American dream is surging bigger and better than ever before" and promised that new tariffs on Mexico that worry San Diego businesses will help achieve that goal.

U.S. President Donald Trump will address Congress Tuesday. The theme of the speech, the White House says, is the renewal of the American Dream.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday offered a full-throated defense of the White House's position on tariffs, insisting that, "Access to cheap goods is not the essence of the American dream.