Trump Tariffs Will Finally Level the Playing Field
We have all heard the roar of criticism of President Trump’s tariffs imposed on April 2nd. Let me begin by saying that Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs didn’t start a trade war; Instead, they are the response to a 50-year trade war against the U.S.
The sweeping executive action was announced in a statement titled “President Trump Declares National Emergency to Increase our Competitive Edge, Protect our Sovereignty, and Strengthen our National and Economic Security.” The statement continues that in “Pursuing Reciprocity to Rebuild the Economy and Restore National and Economic Security” Trump declared that “foreign trade and economic practices have created a national emergency” and, as a result, he was “imposing responsive tariffs to strengthen the international economic position of the United States and protect American workers.”
Trump lays down both the premise of, and justification for, his actions: “Large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits have led to the hollowing out of our manufacturing base; resulted in a lack of incentive to increase advanced domestic manufacturing capacity; undermined critical supply chains; and rendered our defense-industrial base dependent on foreign adversaries.”
The statement then highlights the disturbing truth that “in 2024, our trade deficit in goods exceeded $1.2 trillion—an unsustainable crisis ignored by prior leadership.” The entire Trump effort is summarized with a final declaration that ““Made in America’ is not just a tagline—it’s an economic and national security priority of this Administration. The President’s reciprocal trade agenda means better-paying American jobs making beautiful American-made cars, appliances, and other goods.’”
The release contains other examples of the economic abuse America has suffered due to grossly unfair trade imbalances and then makes the point that such abuse will end now, stating “access to the American market is a privilege, not a right.”
And why wouldn’t this be the position of the United States?
We are the indispensable nation. We are the country blessed with the strongest economy and currency—the ‘Almighty dollar’—in the world. Why would we allow ourselves to suffer such patently unfair trade disparities, particularly with respect to NATO countries in the defense of whom the American taxpayer has spent trillions of dollars?? And, knowing Trump’s personality as we do, much of this may simply be the setting up of negotiations, with America in the most advantageous position possible.
The roar in the national media about the “ill effects” of the tariffs is richly hypocritical, as if Americans have already forgotten the inflation and cost of living under which they acutely suffered during the just-ended Biden Administration. Also, recall that in the first Trump Administration he was criticized that his “tariffs would be inflationary” but we enjoyed 1.5% inflation, the fastest growing economy in decades and the beginning (before Covid) of a manufacturing resurgence in America.
Millions of Americans believe we have “offshored” too much of American manufacturing—making us dependent on hostile nations for our critical needs. For example, if China controls our pharmaceutical needs or the sophisticated computer chips we need to drive our American economy, what are we going to do if we are ever at war with China?
Even short of war, why would we allow Japanese or European automobiles, for example, into our country for a comparatively small tariff when those nations demand exorbitant tariffs (to say nothing of non-tariff practices like currency manipulation) for American vehicles to be sold in those countries? That’s what galls Trump, which is truly what makes the reciprocal nature of these tariffs strike many Americans as only fair.
It’s the same for oil and gas, as well as food—agriculture. Knowing as we do that food and energy security are national security, why would we ever depend upon other nations—often our adversaries—for these critical needs? Especially when we have as much energy reserves in the U.S. as there are anywhere in the world!
Perhaps there will be some economic pain associated with these tariffs, but there is no doubt in my mind that the end President Trump seeks will strengthen America’s economic and security position.
As Kevin McCullough of Townhall summarizes the issue of Trump’s Liberation Day, “…thanks to Trump, the tide is turning.
He may be the only president since Reagan who’s had the courage to stare down the world and say, ‘You will not take advantage of America anymore.’ And for that, every American — every farmer, every factory worker, every small business owner — should be standing and cheering.”
