@marasawr @riskybusiness Economists often live in a theoretical world of models that don’t fully reflect reality. Trump, for 38 years, has consistently argued that the world takes advantage of the U.S. in trade deals—check out this clip at 9:30 for a glimpse of his stance: https://youtu.be/A8wJc7vHcTs?t=570.

Yes, tariffs can have downsides, but so does the status quo: the U.S. facing 100% tariffs on exports to some countries while those same countries enjoy low tariffs selling into the U.S. market. Trump’s point isn’t just about tariffs—it’s about leveling the playing field. Take Harley-Davidson as an example: they’ve shifted production to Thailand due to high Thai tariffs and tax incentives, closing U.S. plants in the process (source). Other nations negotiate deals to favor their economies—Trump’s using tariffs as a tool to do the same for the U.S.

And while economists crunch numbers in their ivory towers, real-world outcomes often tell a different story. For instance, Gary Stevenson, a former Citibank trader, argues that traders get paid to predict the future accurately, unlike economists who, in his view, are paid to support the interests of the wealthy. His take on this disconnect can be seen here: https://youtube.com/shorts/k2sVo6W-uL8. This reinforces the idea that practical experience can outpace theoretical models, suggesting Trump’s trade instincts might have merit.