If President Donald Trump’s goal was to stimulate the economy of Washington, D.C., or to maximize the number of CEOs, lobbyists, and foreign leaders who come begging for his favor, he could hardly have done better than creating a massive tariff regime.
Trump’s “reciprocal” tariffs on every country were made to be negotiated. The president can change them in an instant with a single flick of his pen.
Trump has made it clear he wants to shelter some industries from the effects of his tariffs. He has repeatedly withdrawn them whenever a foreign leader makes a move he likes — even if it’s simply symbolic. (Recall China‘s worthless pledge to buy more soy in Trump’s first term or Mexico‘s vacuous border promises earlier this year.)
Trump’s tariffs
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