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.