Trump’s unwavering stance on tariffs, even amidst high-profile visits like Netanyahu’s, reveals a perplexing and seemingly arbitrary trade policy. The administration’s consistent refusal to offer concessions, even when countries like Vietnam propose substantial tariff reductions, suggests a strategy detached from traditional negotiation.
This isn’t about striking deals; it feels more like a shakedown. The US offers nothing in return for paying these tariffs, only continued access to the American market – and the looming threat of future increases. There’s no give-and-take, no compromise; it’s pure extortion.
The lack of any discernible end goal further compounds the mystery. Netanyahu’s visit, seemingly at Trump’s request, didn’t even address the tariff issue, suggesting Israel may not even consider them a major concern.… Continue reading
The assertion that a potential upcoming recession would be attributable to Trump’s policies is a provocative claim. It suggests that the economic decisions made during his presidency laid the groundwork for current economic instability. This isn’t simply assigning blame; it’s highlighting a potential causal link between past actions and present consequences.
This line of argument implies a critique of specific economic policies enacted during the Trump administration. Perhaps these policies, in retrospect, are seen as unsustainable or counterproductive, leading to the current precarious economic situation. It suggests a need for a more thorough examination of the long-term effects of those policies.… Continue reading
Right-wing commentators have linked Donald Trump’s tariffs to a purported “crisis in masculinity,” arguing that a return to factory jobs will improve men’s lives and boost birth rates. This perspective, amplified by figures like Jesse Watters and Milo Yiannopoulos, frames the policy not primarily as an economic stimulus, but as a means to restore a perceived ideal of postwar American masculinity. The arguments, however, often devolve into misogynistic claims about women’s roles in the workforce and family. The economic viability of this approach, and the actual impact of the tariffs on job creation, remains uncertain.
Read More
The Trump White House cited my research to justify tariffs. They got it all wrong. It’s frustrating, to say the least, to see your work twisted to support policies that are fundamentally flawed. My research, which they selectively quoted, never intended to endorse the reckless application of tariffs without a comprehensive industrial policy. The administration’s approach was not just misguided, it was demonstrably incompetent.
Instead of employing a thoughtful strategy, the administration seemed to operate on gut feelings and a lack of understanding of basic economics. They treated tariffs as a silver bullet, ignoring the potential for unintended consequences and the complexities of international trade.… Continue reading
Contrary to former President Trump’s assertions, a trade deficit does not represent an economic loss; it signifies that a nation imports more than it exports. Economists largely agree that trade deficits are not inherently negative, as a country cannot and should not produce all goods domestically. Trump’s focus on eliminating the U.S. trade deficit with China, particularly the $295.4 billion deficit in 2024, stemmed from a misunderstanding of basic economics and was driven by protectionist sentiments. His demands for China to resolve the surplus before tariff negotiations highlighted this flawed perspective.
Read More
President Trump’s newly announced tariffs, ranging from 10% to 50%, have triggered significant market downturn and recessionary fears. These tariffs, purportedly reciprocal, are calculated using a flawed formula that inflates foreign tariffs fourfold by misinterpreting price elasticity data. Correcting this error would dramatically reduce the tariffs to near the 10% minimum for most countries. The administration’s formula lacks economic justification, raising concerns about the soundness of the underlying trade policy.
Read More
Scott Bessent, a former hedge fund manager and current administration member, is reportedly isolated within Trump’s inner circle and facing dwindling credibility due to the administration’s tariff policy. This policy, which Bessent unsuccessfully attempted to prevent, constitutes a significant setback for him. His recent warnings against retaliatory measures highlight his increasingly precarious position. Leaving the administration now would likely further damage his reputation.
Read More
Trump’s tariffs represent a potentially catastrophic economic blunder, arguably the worst in nearly a century. The sheer scale of the economic disruption they’ve caused is unprecedented, recalling historical parallels like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, a period synonymous with economic hardship. The comparison isn’t arbitrary; the potential consequences are strikingly similar.
The timing of these tariffs is also alarmingly reminiscent of past failures. Similar large-scale tariff implementations have been spaced roughly a century apart, suggesting a cyclical pattern of forgetting the disastrous consequences. This pattern underscores a failure to learn from history, a failure that now threatens to repeat past mistakes on a potentially even larger scale.… Continue reading
President Trump announced a minimum 10% tariff on imports, significantly impacting countries like China and the European Union. This decision caused a dramatic global stock market selloff, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting over 1,600 points. Trump, however, characterized the market reaction as a necessary “operation” and predicted future economic booms fueled by domestic investment aimed at avoiding the tariffs. He also indicated a willingness to use tariffs as leverage in future trade negotiations.
Read More
On Friday, President Trump promoted supporter claims that his actions are intentionally causing a stock market downturn as part of a strategic economic plan. One video featured a supporter attributing recent market drops to this “genius” strategy, while another highlighted an influencer’s assertion that the market crash is designed to benefit the middle class through specific financial maneuvers. However, these claims lack evidentiary support; for instance, a cited Warren Buffett endorsement was fabricated. The president’s promotion of these narratives is likely to intensify existing economic debate.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker