Roger Passman-Fischel 
How Unfiltered Policies Like Trump Tariffs Could Backfire on the U.S. Economy
1: Trump Tariffs: A Costly Gamble
Trump Tariffs he promised on the campaign trail may be seen quite soon. Yes, Donald Trump’s insistence on levying tariffs against Canadian and Chinese imports stirs unease among our northern neighbors, China, and most certainly within the United States. While such measures aim to protect American manufacturing, they often create economic ripples that harm everyday citizens.
And by the way, what American manufacturing is there to protect? As we will report, only a small manufacturing sector exists in the United States since neo-liberal free trade agreements created the outsourcing of manufacturing to nations without strict labor laws and are not unionized, allowing for cheap labor working in sweatshop conditions overseas.
During Trump’s first term, promises to restore U.S. manufacturing went unfulfilled. His re-election and stated tariff policies risk inflating consumer costs, destabilizing supply chains, and damaging international relations.
A tariff-heavy approach would target goods ranging from lumber to clothing. Canada is the United States’ largest trading partner, contributing critical materials to industries like construction and retail.
Increasing import costs will burden American consumers directly. Popular retailers like Costco and Sam’s Club, reliant on affordable imports, would pass price hikes to customers, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
2: Broken Promises to Restore Manufacturing: Will Trump Tariffs Help?
Despite campaign assurances, Trump failed to revive domestic manufacturing. Outsourcing to nations like China, Vietnam, and Haiti continued as corporations prioritized cheap labor over worker protections.
Even with tariffs, companies face no incentive to return manufacturing jobs to the U.S., given high operational costs. Instead, businesses offset tariffs by increasing prices or relocating supply chains to other low-cost regions, perpetuating the very cycle tariffs aim to disrupt.
3: Trump Tariffs and the American Labor Force
Trump’s policies disproportionately target undocumented immigrants, ignoring their critical contributions. These individuals fill roles in agriculture, hospitality, and construction—jobs most Americans avoid.
Deporting undocumented workers would exacerbate labor shortages and drive up production costs. Who will harvest the crops or maintain hotels when affordable labor vanishes? The result will further destabilize the economy, creating ripple effects that affect businesses and consumers alike.
4: Trump Tariffs: Inflation and Global Fallout
Implementing tariffs on Canadian goods risks sparking retaliatory actions. During Trump’s first term, China responded to tariffs with their own, damaging American industries like agriculture and manufacturing.
Canada, as a major trade partner, could follow suit, worsening economic strain. Higher costs for lumber and steel, for instance, would escalate housing prices, deepening the affordability crisis.
In an interconnected economy, protectionism often backfires. Inflationary pressures from increased tariffs harm the very middle-class voters Trump promises to champion. Policies that favor immediate political gain over long-term strategy rarely succeed.
Trump Tariffs: Concluding Remarks
In sum, Trump tariffs, while politically appealing, fail to address the underlying complexities of global trade and domestic labor dynamics. They offer a superficial solution to deeply entrenched economic issues, ignoring the structural changes required for meaningful progress.
Rather than fostering a self-sufficient economy, these policies risk inciting trade wars and exacerbating inflation, ultimately burdening what remains of the American middle class.
For a genuine revival of manufacturing and a stable labor market, the United States must adopt a holistic approach that considers the interdependencies of modern economies. By prioritizing long-term strategies over short-term gains, policymakers can create a sustainable path forward that truly benefits workers and businesses alike.
Policymakers must learn from past missteps and embrace a nuanced perspective on globalization. Collaborative efforts with trade partners and investments in workforce development can better equip the nation to navigate the challenges of the 21st century. Only through such comprehensive initiatives can the U.S. hope to restore its manufacturing prowess and ensure economic resilience for future generations.
Trump Tariffs: Sources Cited
Bureau of Economic Analysis. (2023). U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services. https://www.bea.gov
Canadian Chamber of Commerce. (2023). The Impact of U.S. Tariffs on Canada. https://chamber.ca
Pew Research Center. (2023). The U.S. Labor Market and Immigrant Workers. https://pewresearch.org
Trump Tariffs: Suggestions for Further Reading
Bhagwati, J. (2004). In Defense of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
Rodrik, D. (2011). The Globalization Paradox. W.W. Norton & Company.
Krugman, P. (2020). Arguing with Zombies. W.W. Norton & Company.
Stiglitz, J. (2017). Globalization and Its Discontents Revisited. W.W. Norton & Company.
Sachs, J. (2005). The End of Poverty. Penguin Books.
Chang, H.-J. (2008). Bad Samaritans: The Myth of Free Trade. Bloomsbury Press.
Piketty, T. (2014). Capital in the Twenty-First Century. Harvard University Press.
Desmond, M. (2016). Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. Crown Publishers.
Klein, N. (2007). The Shock Doctrine. Metropolitan Books.
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