better than the RINO economists, and even some truly legendary figures might learn a little something, here.
Let me say it again: Trump is using tariffs in a rather unorthodox way. Or it is at least in a twist on the usual way tariffs are used. The goal here is not merely to protect some domestic industry or other, though that is a happy outcome and a secondary goal.
But Trump is using tariffs as a bargaining chip and as a weapon against China. And he is using a carrot and stick approach to get other countries onboard. I think we need to understand that he is working, to a large extent, to neutralize the very real China threat. What we are seeing is not the usual way that tariffs are used. But it is a very effective strategy, because America holds the high ground, both economically and morally. And this is true especially given that China is in a very dicey economic position right now.
The bottom line is that we can trust Trump. I learned very well as a youth that when you have a good horse, you don’t “steer” and direct every step in tricky situations–like coming down a mountain in piles of downed timber. You give a general direction but then let the reins go slack and “give him his head.”
And Trump is correct most of the time, economically, and he simply knows what he is doing (so don’t screw it up by “steering” too hard–give him his head).
The same cannot be said of the Keystone Kops Democrats, who in general don’t know their butts from a hole in the ground, especially when it comes to international trade–though they are always arrogantly cocksure of their theoretical position! Alas…