Source: The UnPopulist
by Steve Chapman
“In many ways, tariffs are the perfect realization of Trump’s animating political instinct: that the world is always taking advantage of the United States and only by imposing a significant barrier — physical (‘build the wall’) or economic (tariffs) — can the U.S. reassert itself and truly fulfill its national interest. … The promise of Trump’s tariffs rests on the risible notion that Americans are best served by sealing ourselves off from the rest of the world and paying each other far higher prices than we need to. … Trump’s focus on restricting foreign goods isn’t merely economically suspect — it also advances his alarming authoritarian agenda. The greater his involvement in setting the terms of trade with other countries, the more weapons he has to reward pals, enrich his family, and punish those who don’t obediently fall into line. Waivers from his tariffs can be used to get what he wants from companies that import.” (12/09/24)
https://www.theunpopulist.net/p/tariffs-are-trumps-tool-to-consolidate