ANOTHER CON GAME

Trump’s Tariff Tax: A Self-Inflicted Wound on His Own Supporters

Donald Trump has once again demonstrated his profound ignorance or his utter indifference when it comes to economic policy. His latest move? Imposing tariffs on goods from China, Canada, and Mexico are the three nations with which the United States trades most. These tariffs are nothing more than a tax hike on American consumers, businesses, and workers, many of whom, ironically, are his staunchest supporters.

Trump sells tariffs as a penalty on foreign nations, a means of punishing them for what he claims are unfair trade practices. But anyone with a rudimentary understanding of economics knows that tariffs do not work this way. China, Canada, or Mexico do not pay them; they are paid by American importers, who then pass the cost down to American consumers. The result? Higher prices on everything from automobiles and electronics to food and clothing.

This isn’t just speculation, it’s economic fact. The Trump tariffs imposed during his first administration led to billions of dollars in extra costs for American consumers and businesses. Studies from both conservative and liberal economic think tanks have confirmed that those tariffs failed to reduce trade deficits and resulted in higher costs for American households. The same thing will happen again, but the pain will be even greater this time, as inflation and supply chain disruptions have already weakened household purchasing power.

Who Gets Hurt the Most?

While Trump’s wealthy allies may shrug off the impact, working-class and middle-class Americans—particularly those in red states, will feel the brunt of these policies. The very people who cheer for his economic nationalism will soon find themselves paying more for groceries, cars, construction materials, and everyday necessities. Small businesses relying on imported components will be forced to raise prices or lay off workers to absorb the added costs.

Let's not forget farmers, many of whom suffered greatly under Trump's previous tariff wars when China retaliated by slashing purchases of American agricultural goods. Back then, Trump had to use taxpayer-funded subsidies to compensate them for their losses, an absurd situation in which Americans paid twice through higher prices and government bailouts.

Trump’s Economic Con Game

Trump’s entire economic rhetoric is built on deception. He claims to fight for the "forgotten man" yet repeatedly implements policies that harm them. His tax cuts benefited the ultra-wealthy and large corporations while doing little for the average worker. His trade wars devastated American farmers and manufacturers. And now, his latest round of tariffs will serve as yet another hidden tax on everyday Americans.

If he truly cared about trade imbalances, he would invest in domestic manufacturing, support worker training programs, and foster innovation rather than resort to blunt, self-defeating protectionist measures. However, Trump is not interested in smart, sustainable economic policy. He is only interested in power, spectacle, and the illusion of strength.

Eventually, even his most loyal supporters must wake up to the fact that they are being conned. The question is: How much more will they be willing to pay before they realize they’ve been sold a lie?

William James Spriggs