this post was submitted on 08 Apr 2025
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So basically everything the US imports from China is going to suddenly cost 84% more. I'm really struggling to see Trump's end game here, because when domestic inflation inevitably gets out of control, the populace is going to get angry and he's going to become deeply unpopular.
The only two possibilities are 1.) He's purposefully wrecking the US economy, either to end US global hegemony and appease the Russians or to appease the tech billionaires and Heritage Foundation-types who want to destroy the federal government, or 2.) He's a moron who doesn't understand even basic economics
Simply put, he truly believes that other countries are "taking advantage" of the US: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7st2oG5AwU
It stems from a zero-sum world view, where every trade is someone gaining or losing something, reminiscint of old European mercantilism: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercantilism
...Which Europe figured out didn't work by like 1800, something they teach in US history classes.
At a more basic level, this is likely another manifestation of Trump's narcissistic personality disorder. He genuinely cannot conceive of sacrifice, service, or giving of himself, he's only interested in what he can take from you, whether that's money, reputation, or adoration. Now it's playing out on the global stage