Taming the Tariff Talk – How Trump’s Bold Action Could Help Your Family

We’re seeing The Art of the Deal in real-time. President Trump’s success will be ours, and we are here for it!

To listen to the media, you’d think we were all living that nail-biting, iconic scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark. You remember it – Indiana Jones stares intensely at the golden statuette, estimating its weight, rubbing his stubbled chin and deftly switching the idol with a sandbag hoping for a quick escape. After all, it belongs in a museum.

Then, the sickening sound of grinding rocks as the altar sinks and the walls begin to collapse. Suddenly, Indy runs for his life to avoid being crushed by a giant rolling boulder.

To the hysterical press and Democrats – that boulder is Trump and his tariffs – and we are doomed.

It’s a weirdly personal mission of the media elite to terrify Americans. They are full of ranting and frothing about what could go wrong. Never offering a peep about what happens if it goes right. It’s one of the unwelcome side effects of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Thankfully, these media hacks and leftists lost their credibility some time ago.

The market has been down, then back up. It’s a bumpy ride, as the President predicted it would be.

When it comes to the outlook for our economy, Trump sees things differently. Since he’s taken office, he’s been right about nearly everything – and so we want to offer him the benefit of the doubt here, too. He’s been more honest and transparent than any other president in recent history, so that should count for something.

Let’s remember how this all started. Candidate Trump threatened, promised – and declared his ardent love for tariffs throughout his campaign. It’s what a substantial majority of us voted for.

The word from the top is – don’t panic. Things may be bumpy, but it will be worth it. I believe him, do you?

Tariffs 101

 Simply put, a tariff is a duty or tax levied on imported goods.

Tariffs, in fact, were the primary source of revenue in the US for around a century. President McKinley wielded tariffs to great effect, some as high as 50%, to protect and grow American industry. There was also a “free” non-tariffed list of items the US needed, like sugar and coffee. These steep tariffs made our young nation the strongest and most prosperous in the world.

In 1913, weary of protectionism and its wall around free trade, legislation was passed to lower tariffs, giving American citizens the “gift” of our first-ever income tax. That’s been great, huh?

Tariffs came and went through the years and eventually sank to a low that allowed for freer trade. The good news is that our economy has continued to grow, though our industrial sector has steadily suffered and offshored to other nations where cost savings were incentivized by the US with our consistently low tariffs.

Another and more serious downside to all of this is that we’ve become dependent on nations – even adversaries – like China for so much, including electronics, machinery, and critical medicines. It’s not a recipe for national security.

The Tariff Tango – and Trump

You’ve heard the explosive rhetoric around the President’s out-of-the-box strategy. They say he’s crazy, evil, or trying to get rich.

The truth is that Trump is taking this moment to “reset” the table in the world economic system. He’s not crazy or evil – and he’s already wealthy. He recognizes the price the US has paid and continues to pay in unfair trade tariffs inflicted on America worldwide. It’s cost us revenue. It’s cost us jobs and made us dependent on nations that don’t necessarily wish us well.

President Trump called April 2nd “Liberation Day” when he signed his Executive Order outlining a new American policy – reciprocal tariffs. He spoke to Americans from a courtyard at the White House, explaining his new policy to Make America Wealthy Again.

“For decades, our country has been looted, pillaged, and plundered by nations near and far, both friend and foe alike. American steelworkers, auto workers, farmers, and skilled craftsmen – we have a lot of them here with us today – they really suffered gravely. They watched in anguish as foreign leaders have stolen our jobs, foreign cheaters have ransacked our factories, and foreign scavengers have torn apart our once beautiful American dream,” said President Trump.

Tariffs have fallen more heavily on the US to limit our exports from fully competing with products made in other countries. Consider that you’ll see few American cars on the roads in Europe. Meanwhile, in the US, you’ll see Mercedes, BMWs, Audis, and Volkswagens on every block. The EU has historically imposed tariffs three times – or more – higher than the US rate for their products coming to our shores.

Trump touched on it during that speech, “…the United States has for decades charged a 2.5% tariff on foreign-made automobiles. Think of that, 2.5% on foreign-made automobiles. The European Union charges us more than 10% tariffs, and they have 20% VATs (Value-Added Tax), much, much higher. India charges 70%, and perhaps worst of all are the non-monetary restrictions imposed by South Korea, Japan, and very many other nations.

As a result of these colossal trade barriers, 81% of the cars in South Korea are made in South Korea and 94% of the cars in Japan are made in Japan. Toyota sells one million foreign-made automobiles into the United States, and General Motors sells almost none. Ford sells very little. None of our companies are allowed to go into other countries.”

The President shared a chart reflecting the “Tariffs Charged to the U.S.A. including Currency Manipulation and Trade Barriers.” It showed China at 67%, the European Union at 39%, Vietnam at 90%, Taiwan at 64%, and Japan at 46%. The chart ran through dozens, and many nations are levying unthinkable tariffs and costly trade penalties. Trump countered this by announcing reciprocal tariff rates for each, roughly half of the exorbitant rates the US has endured for years. For example, since the EU currently levies 39% against US products, the chart shows a new reciprocal rate of 20%.

It’s a lot for a smaller economy to absorb, and because the US is such an important trade partner – even charging half could be devastating.

The market freaked – and the media howled. It was the end of the world in their view. Clearly, they hadn’t read The Art of the Deal.

Suddenly, instead of civilization collapsing in a heap, the White House phone began to ring. With the notable exception of China, dozens of nations suddenly decided to come to the table asking for a way to negotiate a doable compromise for themselves – and the US.

This Week is Historic

 At the time of this writing – the Trump Administration has announced a 90-day pause in the tariff agenda. During this time, all nations except for China will have a 10% baseline tariff rate as the negotiations begin in earnest.

The usual suspects cried, “Aha! He caved! Just like we said he would!”

But did he cave?

A more thoughtful look at the facts reveals that since “Liberation Day,” more than 75 countries have come eagerly to the bargaining table. While China reacted badly (and has incurred a new tariff rate of 125%), the rest of the world is ready and eager to talk.

President Trump explained, “Everybody wants to make a deal, actually, and we want to do what’s right for our country. We also want to do what’s right for the world. The world is important.”

In an interview on Jesse Watters Primetime, Peter Navarro, Senior White House Trade Counselor, teased the idea of 90 trade deals in 90 days. These are exciting and consequential days for our nation.

What About Your Family?

Just as the Trump campaign rallies rocked to the strains of Sam & Dave’s “Hold On I’m Coming,” the President asks us all to hold on as the market bumps a bit and the dust settles.

Wild-eyed, leftist politicians claim, “Tariffs are a Tax!” as if your pocket will be picked by their mere existence. They will not. You can still choose the goods and services you spend your money on. If that pair of jeans from China has gone up $10, why not consider an American brand instead?

Don’t forget the pains we suffered in the Biden economy. This will not be a return to that economic chaos for working families.

At the same time, Trump’s team is working on lowering fuel costs and securing the largest tax cut in US history. As we weather the ups and downs of these ongoing negotiations, look for cost savings from other actions this administration is undertaking.

If the tariffs work as Trump plans

• It will again give American business and industry a competitive edge in the world.
• It will protect American workers.
• It will protect our sovereignty by bringing back needed industries (like pharmaceuticals), diminishing our dependency on others.
• It will encourage buying American-made goods.
• When American business prospers again – American families will, too.

It’s going to end well for the US – and the world

 “I think we’re going to make a lot of people very happy, and I think investing in the United States of America will be the greatest investment that anybody’s ever made,” Trump said recently from the Oval Office.

We believe we’re on the right track, so keep supporting our nation and praying for our leaders. Just remember, Indiana Jones outran the boulder, beat the Nazis, got the girl – and even brought home the Ark of the Covenant.

Podcast Note: When it comes to powerful, engaging voices in this new golden era – look no further than author and influencer Isabel Brown, who wrote the 2024 bestseller The End of the Alphabet: How Gen Z Can Save America. She is our guest on this week’s podcast. Don’t miss it!

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