Trump thinks other countries “make” money when they have a trade surplus over the #USA (and the U.S. subsequently loses money).

I don’t think it matters how many economists try to get him to see things differently. This is #Trumponomics .

#trump #tariffs #economics #MyThoughts

/6 of 6

I quoted the words carefully below and listened three times. He said, “They were charged tariffs.”

#Trump simplistically blamed all of the #inflation over Biden’s administration* on “energy.”

Then he said, “We’re gonna try to get ‘groceries’ down, right? An old-fashioned term, but a beautiful term…”

( #MyThoughts — it is probably an old-fashioned term for him since he hasn’t needed to buy groceries himself nearly all his life, so he forgot people did that )

*Note: Inflation was pandemic-related and came down over Biden’s term. Also, Biden moved to directly lower energy prices.

/4 of 6

#Trump: ‘The EU… was formed with all of the countries from Europe. I guess most of them, not all of them, but most of them…”

#MyThoughts — why doesn’t he know this?

/3 of 6

/4

Trump doesn’t like losing, so he will keep this up as long as he needs to, if permitted to do so.

/6

#MyThoughts (cont.)

Anyway, bottom line—

Trump’s tariff plans are 100% pro-inflationary.

The aggressive, high tariffs and other protectionist measures will lead to:

— higher prices
— increased isolation of the #USA from other trading countries
— fewer choices for consumers

~~

In addition, the crippling ripple effects of Trump’s #tariffs, especially if prolonged, will hurt US businesses and the labor market.

~~

There is a reason #Trump told Americans to expect some “pain.”

/5

#MyThoughts (cont.)

Changing a country from a net importer to a net exporter of manufactured goods would require that the quality and prices of the goods be competitive on the world market.

1) Quality — there are many other countries manufacturing fantastic goods

2) Price — would the US compete (must consider cost factors like labor and COGS, which would rise w/ #tariffs )

… unless the country plans on boxing itself in and trading with itself

/4

#MyThoughts (cont.)

US-based auto makers & suppliers will be hit very hard by extreme #tariffs . Some might even fail unless subsidized by the US gov’t. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and it takes time to shift supply chains and manufacturing methods.

Interestingly, though, #Tesla stands to benefit over its competitors.

~ Tesla stands strong amid Trump's auto tariffs, emphasizes US supply chain strength ~

#USA #trump #AutoIndustry #economics

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2025/03/27/tesla-stands-strong-trumps-auto-tariffs/82688667007/

/3

#MyThoughts (cont.)

The US has been a net importer for much time (consumer spending makes up ~68% of GDP) and its citizens, the consumers, are used to having much purchasing choice.

Pushing the country to fundamental economic change through #tariffs will inevitably isolate the #USA while hurting its economy.

Prices will rise per free market principles of supply & demand unless they are set by the State (meaning #Trump — is that where he’s going w/ threatening companies?).

/2

So #MyThoughts —

This is not free market capitalism. It’s ultra protectionist quasi-mercantilism. He’s treating the US like a developing country with an emerging market, trying to push it to become a net exporter (vs. importer) by force at the expense of other nations and the US economy (at least in the short-term).

And absolutely - US auto makers / suppliers would have to raise prices to meet their bottom lines when their COGS suddenly increase because of tariffs.

This is obviously a big ruse. Throwing out shiny objects to deflect blame.

#MyThoughts (on the above posts) —

If the #Trump admin has not invoked the “state secrets privilege” yet, they ain’t got no state secrets to block from disclosure.

#MyThoughts —

1) NO NO NO to war w/ China

2) WHY does Musk get that info