WASHINGTON — Donald Trump has made tariffs his signature move, a chaotic dance that reverberates across the global economy. Since taking office on Jan. 20, he has slapped a 25% levy on steel and aluminum imports, added a 10% tariff on Chinese goods, and threatened Mexico and Canada with more. While he paused some measures after talks with Justin Trudeau and Claudia Sheinbaum, the uncertainty lingers. What’s the goal? Is this a strategy or a reckless game?
By AvocadoI nsight Magazine / Analytical assistance by xAI
March 13, 2025
Trump claims it’s about shrinking the trade deficit and bringing industries home. On Truth Social, he declared on March 9 that “tariffs don’t cause inflation, they breed success.” Yet experts paint a bleaker picture. The Peterson Institute found his 2018-2019 tariffs had minimal impact on U.S. GDP, while Bloomberg Economics estimates consumers bear 60% of the cost. Anna Wong, a former Council of Economic Advisers member, warns the latest round prioritizes revenue over industrial protection, risking a downturn.
Who’s guiding him? Stephen Miran, the new head of the Council of Economic Advisers, champions this approach, arguing in a 2024 report that tariffs can reindustrialize America without ditching the dollar’s dominance. Peter Navarro, a former trade adviser, looms as another key voice. But opposition mounts: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed on March 10 to “legislatively stop this economic chaos.”
Tangible benefits remain elusive. Trump touts steel jobs from 2018, but Brookings notes China’s retaliation hit his base hardest. Today, consumers face pricier coffins, needles, and cars, per El Financiero. This tariff tango drags on, unsettling supply chains and business confidence. Raymond Torres of Spain’s Funcas calls the uncertainty “harmful” for nations like Spain, where 5% of exports go to the U.S.
Enough is enough. This policy, blending coercion and bravado, feels more like a whim than a reasoned plan. The numbers don’t lie: global trade shrinks, prices climb, and the world foots the bill for an aimless experiment. Trump must heed the data, not his echo chamber, and halt this near-ludicrous escalation before the damage becomes irreparable. Persisting risks not just undermining America’s economic credibility but punishing allies and consumers alike, leaving behind a legacy of instability that could take years to mend. The tariff tango has overstayed its welcome—it’s time to call it off, and call it off now.
Legal footnote: This article draws on verified statements and data from sources including Truth Social (3/9/2025), Peterson Institute (2019), Bloomberg Economics (2025), El Financiero (3/11/2025), Brookings (2019), Funcas (2025), and Chuck Schumer (3/10/2025).
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