Thanks for this good summary. Should we still be calling ourselves the leader of the free world? Honest question. And based on what you outlined here, the answer seems to be "not anymore." But please correct me if I have made a premature call.
This article is short but comprehensive. I have three questions.
First, facing an “18.3 percent average tariff compared to just 2.5 percent”, the entire burden has been shifted onto consumers. Congress, as part of the system of checks and balances, has remained silent. “Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate freely abdicated their constitutionally mandated power to Trump.” This silence has effectively condoned all the consequences, yet the public has neither grasped the impact nor shown any interest in confronting the party’s inaction. This is alarming.
Second, the decision to impose high tariffs on India appears to be linked to its purchase of Russian oil, with no apparent intention of supporting the survival of the Ukrainian people. While this rationale might seem reasonable at first glance, it collapses under scrutiny. What is the real motive? Punishing India in a way that also harms ordinary Americans is bound to backfire—and is unlikely to endure.
Third, losing the grassroots means losing the party. Data on ordinary Americans’ consumption patterns is not yet available. If the experts’ predictions prove correct, what remedies will the Trump administration have to offer?
I am not a Trump supporter, but to be fair we should at least MENTION his rationale for the tariffs, to make it easier for US companies to compete globally. I have no idea if, how, or when this might work. I'm not qualified to make any claims on the merits of the question.
However, I do feel that Democratic Party culture is drifting dangerously close to MAGA culture in how often we simply yell that EVERYTHING Trump does is wrong, without making an attempt to see the other side of the story.
Thanks for this good summary. Should we still be calling ourselves the leader of the free world? Honest question. And based on what you outlined here, the answer seems to be "not anymore." But please correct me if I have made a premature call.
Maybe not. good point
This article is short but comprehensive. I have three questions.
First, facing an “18.3 percent average tariff compared to just 2.5 percent”, the entire burden has been shifted onto consumers. Congress, as part of the system of checks and balances, has remained silent. “Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate freely abdicated their constitutionally mandated power to Trump.” This silence has effectively condoned all the consequences, yet the public has neither grasped the impact nor shown any interest in confronting the party’s inaction. This is alarming.
Second, the decision to impose high tariffs on India appears to be linked to its purchase of Russian oil, with no apparent intention of supporting the survival of the Ukrainian people. While this rationale might seem reasonable at first glance, it collapses under scrutiny. What is the real motive? Punishing India in a way that also harms ordinary Americans is bound to backfire—and is unlikely to endure.
Third, losing the grassroots means losing the party. Data on ordinary Americans’ consumption patterns is not yet available. If the experts’ predictions prove correct, what remedies will the Trump administration have to offer?
Good questions, Ill reply when I have time
I am not a Trump supporter, but to be fair we should at least MENTION his rationale for the tariffs, to make it easier for US companies to compete globally. I have no idea if, how, or when this might work. I'm not qualified to make any claims on the merits of the question.
However, I do feel that Democratic Party culture is drifting dangerously close to MAGA culture in how often we simply yell that EVERYTHING Trump does is wrong, without making an attempt to see the other side of the story.