Trump and the tariffs

International news is dominated by the continuing slaughter in Gaza, distracted by almost daily announcements by Trump of changes to US tariffs on imports from foreign countries. His almost indiscriminate application of tariffs and their frequent changes is bizarre and unique in history. In the past, tariff policy was a means by which countries could protect their goods or protect industries from foreign competition as well as raise revenue. Countries recognised that tariffs increased domestic prices, and imposed them as a considered and long-term economic policy. Trump is not a successful businessman and has no long-term plan for the US economy. Instead, his tariff policy meets three emotional needs: his desire for attention, his need to bully others; and his fear of foreigners and especially non-white people. 

Traditional tariff policies involve setting selective tariffs, usually for several years. This results in minimal publicity. By contrast, endlessly imposing them, withdrawing them and modifying them means daily opportunities to star on the media and receive the attention Trump has always craved. Tariffs are also be an opportunity to bully people who have offended him. Targets can vary from day to day. At the time of writing, he has threatened the BRICS nations and specifically Brazil, both of which he will have heard about on Fox News. Finally, tariffs are an opportunity to strike back at all foreigners, even though it is Americans who meet the cost and American industries that will be forced to pay more for goods that have to be imported because there is no local alternative. Trump persistently campaigns against ‘immigrants’, even though his mother and grandfather both fell into this category. But of course he uses the word ‘immigrant’ as a code word to designate non-white people, who he believes are genetically disposed to rape and theft (crimes for which he himself has been found guilty). 

Trump’s emotional needs correspond to those of many of his supporters, who will doubtless continue to worship their leader however much harm he inflicts upon them.