Trump Bets the White House — and GOP Control of Congress — on Tariffs

[Social Media]

 

Trump Bets the White House — and GOP Control of Congress — on Tariffs

 

In a dramatic and risky move, President Trump has thrown his political future — and that of the Republican Party — behind a sweeping new global tariff regime that has already sent shockwaves through the economy. Dubbed “Liberation Day” by the administration, the rollout of massive new tariffs has triggered a market meltdown, wiped out trillions in value, and rattled both allies and adversaries.

 

The numbers are stark. Last Thursday and Friday alone, $6.4 trillion in stock market value evaporated, with many Americans watching helplessly as their retirement accounts and investment portfolios took a 10% hit. The economic pain is compounded by a sense of confusion. Many wonder why, at a moment when Trump was riding high on a string of policy wins and enjoying record approval ratings, he would take such a bold gamble.

 

 

Indeed, Trump’s second term had been coasting on notable victories: a crackdown on illegal immigration, a government waste audit that vindicated long-standing claims of bureaucratic fraud, and a high-profile campaign to penalize universities accused of tolerating antisemitic behavior. His firm grip on swing states and a strong economy had given Republicans a solid majority in Congress.

 

That momentum has now been put at risk.

 

According to a Wall Street Journal poll conducted before the market crash, voters disapproved of Trump’s economic leadership by 8 points. His handling of inflation was underwater by 15. And as prices begin to climb due to import taxes, and growth forecasts dim, the situation could worsen. JPMorgan now predicts a sharp slowdown in U.S. GDP, warning of a 60% chance of a global recession if tariffs persist. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell added fuel to the fire, cautioning that tariffs could trigger both higher inflation and reduced growth.

 

Senator Ted Cruz didn’t mince words: “If the tariff war pushes the US into a recession, particularly a bad recession, 2026 in all likelihood politically would be a bloodbath. You would face a Democrat House, and you might even face a Democrat Senate.”

 

Yet despite the backlash, Trump remains undeterred.

 

For him, tariffs are not a detour but the destination — a cornerstone of his America First doctrine. The goal is to revive U.S. manufacturing, shrink the trade deficit, and force global competitors to open their markets to American goods. At a post-election celebration at Mar-a-Lago, Trump hosted CEOs, including SoftBank’s chief, who pledged a $100 billion investment in the U.S.

 

The administration claims the tariffs will generate as much as $700 billion in federal revenue this year — enough, it argues, to help fund tax cuts and other domestic priorities. More importantly, Trump insists the tariffs are about fairness. “Why is that if you go to Tokyo, there’s no American cars, if you go to Berlin, there’s no American cars, but on our streets, we have every foreign car there is?” said White House adviser Stephen Miller. “They’ve blocked their markets from our cars. President Trump is saying that has to end.”

 

Critics accuse the White House of weaponizing tariffs too aggressively and too quickly. Rather than a phased, targeted approach, Trump has opted for a full-scale blitz across virtually all sectors and countries. Some argue this leaves no room for adjustment and threatens to alienate not just adversaries like China but allies in Europe as well.

 

Still, there are signs the strategy might be working. Trump revealed that Vietnam’s leadership, in a call with him Friday, expressed interest in cutting their tariffs to zero in exchange for a broader trade deal. That statement appeared to confirm what many suspected: the tariffs are a bargaining tool as much as a policy in themselves.

 

The reaction from China was swift and furious. Beijing retaliated with its own 34% levy on U.S. goods and accused Washington of “bullying.” But even Trump’s critics admit China’s trade practices — including IP theft, forced tech transfers, and state subsidies — are longstanding and egregious. Europe, while less openly abusive, has its own trade barriers, including agricultural subsidies and high VAT taxes that hit American imports hard.

 

In other words, Trump’s argument about unfair global trade has merit. But whether his methods will achieve the desired outcome — and whether the American economy and political system can withstand the initial blow — is another question entirely.

 

With 19 months until the midterm elections, Trump is betting big. If the gamble pays off, he could solidify his legacy as a transformational economic nationalist. If not, the political and economic fallout could be immense — and swift.

 

Based on a report by The NYP  2025-04-07

 

 

[JimHuaHin]

One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason.

[Gsxrnz]

Tariffs are just the blunt instrument Trump has chosen to change the globalist status quo.  In one fell swoop he puts the kybosh on the US leftist political elites, the climate change anti-energy anti-human idiots, and most importantly...Chayna!

 

The other blunt instrument in his bag was a kinetic war. he probably made the right choice. Let's give it six months for the oven timer to ping and we'll see what the cake looks like then. 

[JonnyF]

Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do.

 

That's Democracy, baby. 

 

The likes of Starmer should pay close attention.

[Digitalbanana]

One of democracies failings is when 51% of the electorate are idiots trapped inside their own social media echo chambers.

[Cryingdick]

1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said:

One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason.

If you hate America you would wish that.

[Tug]

33 minutes ago, Cryingdick said:

If you hate America you would wish that.

Rubbish 

[Chomper Higgot]

11 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do.

 

That's Democracy, baby. 

 

The likes of Starmer should pay close attention.

Inflation down on day 1?

End the war in Ukraine on day 1?

Dictator on day 1!

 

1oo3

[rabang]

Stupid gets what stupid deserves.

[NoDisplayName]

19 hours ago, Social Media said:

“Why is that if you go to Tokyo, there’s no American cars,

 

Yes, why is that?

 

Shirley, it can't be that Detroit doesn't produce what Japanese consumers crave.

 

It must be the 0% tariffs the Japanese levy on American vehicles.

 

 

[hotsun]

19 hours ago, Social Media said:

Many wonder why, at a moment when Trump was riding high on a string of policy wins and enjoying record approval ratings, he would take such a bold gamble.

He was? Jeez you would never have known that with the lying media we got everyones been saying hes the lowest approval ratings ever. You can just never believe anything you see here 

[CanadaSam]

To Trump:  Beware the Ides of May.

[Purdey]

I don't see American cars being all that popular in Asia because they are too big, guzzle gas and expensive to maintain. Funnily enough, Fords in Europe are smaller and better made. 

[rough diamond]

22 hours ago, Cryingdick said:

If you hate America you would wish that.

It is not a hate against America. It is a hate against Trump in my case.

[MicroB]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

I don't see American cars being all that popular in Asia because they are too big, guzzle gas and expensive to maintain. Funnily enough, Fords in Europe are smaller and better made. 

 

 

Plus there are some strange Fords in Japan

 

 

Like in Europe, there are some Japanese buyers of American designed cars, But these will be forever niche enthusiasts Its not trade barriers that hold up sales of US cars in Japan and Europe.

 

Korean and Japanese cars face exactly the same import duties in the UK as the US. But they have no problem selling cars, at a very competitive price.

[Paul Henry]

Micro B Are you sure only a couple of days ago Trump said one reason he was tariffing Europe was they don't have any American cars. Strange though last time I was in Italy the hire company supplied me a Ford sedan! Then again Trump wouldn't lie?

[WDSmart]

...and, I hope he loses BIG TIME! 😡

[Stargeezr]

I hope Trump loses his support and becomes a minority government soon.

  His support group do not impress me either. Maybe a croc will have him for lunch.

[rough diamond]

9 minutes ago, Stargeezr said:

I hope Trump loses his support and becomes a minority government soon.

  His support group do not impress me either. Maybe a croc will have him for lunch.

Pity the poor croc that gets Trump for lunch!

[retayl]

The logic of these tariffs is fatally flawed. Connecting them to trade reciprocality is a non starter. How can small and poor countries match trade with the USA dollar for dollar?  

[kwilco]

Funny thing about tariffs; it's the America consumer pays them. ...and where does all the money go? = to Donald Trump's coffers.

[TedG]

On 4/6/2025 at 8:23 PM, JimHuaHin said:

One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason.

 

Didn't you people on the left say there would be no more elections after Trump was elected? 

[NoDisplayName]

6 minutes ago, retayl said:

The logic of these tariffs is fatally flawed. Connecting them to trade reciprocality is a non starter. How can small and poor countries match trade with the USA dollar for dollar?  

 

Dang penguins don't buy enough tuxedos.

[NoDisplayName]

Trump's ultimatum includes a clear timeline for action. The additional tariffs would take effect on April 9, 2025, if China does not withdraw its 34% tariff increase by April 8, 2025.

 

China no blink.

104% tariffs take effect tomorrow.

 

"Trade wars are fun and easy to win."

[NoDisplayName]

According to couple of sources as of April 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, the United States has implemented additional tariffs on Chinese imports, increasing the total tariff rate to 104% for certain goods.

 

Oh, the winning, so much winning.

I'm tired of all the winning.

 

[thaipo7]

On 4/6/2025 at 8:23 PM, JimHuaHin said:

One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason.

WHY?  What has he done.  You never looked at Biden and all the crap he and his friends have done?  Why did he have have a pre-emptive pardon for everyone.  You Marxist Lefts sure don't vary in your way of thinking.  Just listen to you Marxist media and propaganda and believe with a whole heart.

[RocketDog]

10 hours ago, rough diamond said:

Pity the poor croc that gets Trump for lunch!

True enough. No nutritional value in sewage.

[kwilco]

13 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

WHY?  What has he done.

Unbelievble!

[Tug]

On 4/7/2025 at 8:21 AM, JonnyF said:

Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do.

 

That's Democracy, baby. 

 

The likes of Starmer should pay close attention.

That’s just dumb just what was democratic about trump deciding to stab the world in the throat?trump may well be risking  more than his political career he’s cost many many many powerful people their fortunes not to mention just regular folks.wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he gets the old Benito Mussolini send off!

[rough diamond]

14 hours ago, thaipo7 said:

Just listen to you Marxist media and propaganda and believe with a whole heart.

Just listen to your Marxist MAGA media and propaganda and believe with a whole heart and pay the penalty in due course along with all who are being harmed by the MAGA idiocy!