Trump’s Tariffs: A Chaotic Dream within a Lost Era

[RSD1]

Trump’s sweeping tariffs, now standing at 20% on most imports and up to 145% on Chinese goods, are meant to revive American manufacturing by making foreign products costlier and enticing firms to build factories in the US. But this plan is flawed and already buckling under economic pressure, cultural shifts, and Trump’s unpredictable leadership. Instead of bringing jobs and growth, it looks set to punish consumers and drive away investment.

 

Prices are rising for basics like coffee, clothing, and many electronics, adding anywhere from $1,300 to $3,800 average a year to household budgets. By 2026, inflation could jump up another 1.5% from these tariffs, while tariff retaliation from China and Canada threatens 740,000 US jobs and could shave 1.3% off American GDP. 

 

Farmers are already taking a hit, too. China’s 125% tariffs on US soybean and pork exports to China are crushing rural exporters and pushing grocery prices even higher. Yet Trump still banks on a fantasy that Americans will return to factory floors and companies will risk investing billions on building plants in the US.

 

But the economy has moved on. Services now make up 80% of American GDP, and manufacturing jobs, once 30% of employment in 1970, are down to just 8%. These jobs offer low wages, tough conditions, and little growth potential. Most workers who would be filling those types of jobs now lean toward tech, retail, or gig jobs. Automation cuts factory worker roles even further, weakening Trump’s nostalgic vision. And a new factory can cost up to $10 billion to build, a bet most CEOs will not take lightly. His constant policy reversals only add to the confusion. In 2018, tariff uncertainty froze $40 billion in new project investments. Now, US investment could drop another 15%-20%, with companies eyeing more stable countries like Singapore or Mexico.

 

Corruption rumors make it worse. Exemptions may favor Trump donors or his international real estate partners, tilting the market. Small importers get crushed. Big firms may shift billions to fairer systems in the EU or India. Voters expected jobs and cheaper goods, but rising prices and favoritism have left many already feeling burned.

 

So what happens if Trump's dream of American manufacturing glory just no longer fits the reality of a modern economy?

[Pouatchee]

2 hours ago, RSD1 said:

So what happens if Trump's dream of American manufacturing glory just no longer fits the reality of a modern economy?

 

are you being paid to start stupid posts that vent your frustration? just accept that he won the election and keep your bickering under your hat. You are quite annoying. Dont you have a hobby other than starting stupid posts on AN? If you dont might i recommend counting grains of sand on the beach... it might just work for you... hater

[scubascuba3]

Trump seems to have finally found out how tariffs work, he didn't seem to realise by making China tariffs 100%+ American consumers would pay it, share prices down

[Terrance8812]

1 hour ago, Pouatchee said:

are you being paid to start stupid posts that vent your frustration?

You sound like the one who is deeply frustrated. Did you just blow a gasket? Try having a lie down, snowflake, and hopefully that helps to prevent you from going into hyperlock. 😭🤣

[Pouatchee]

1 hour ago, Terrance8812 said:

You sound like the one who is deeply frustrated. Did you just blow a gasket? Try having a lie down, snowflake, and hopefully that helps to prevent you from going into hyperlock. 😭🤣

 

what rock did you crawl out from under, bub?

snowflakes are a leftist thing, just like the new snow white, no?

[Cameroni]

Oh my God! Trump didn't realise services make up 80% of the economy, but thank God RSD1 spotted this obscure fact, being smarter than all of us, including Donald Trump. This is excellent news. Will you now be called to the White House as economic advisor RSD1 to correct economic policy? Please update us how you get on in the White House.

[PomPolo]

6 hours ago, RSD1 said:

So what happens if Trump's dream of American manufacturing glory just no longer fits the reality of a modern economy?

The words Trump and reality in the same sentence that has to be a first

[Lacessit]

4 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

are you being paid to start stupid posts that vent your frustration? just accept that he won the election and keep your bickering under your hat. You are quite annoying. Dont you have a hobby other than starting stupid posts on AN? If you dont might i recommend counting grains of sand on the beach... it might just work for you... hater

Classic Trump, attack the messenger and ignore the message.

 

Sounds to me like you are the hater.

[BKKKevin]

[Gottfrid]

@Yagoda Where are you? Time to protect and serve your country. 😉 

[save the frogs]

20 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

are you being paid to start stupid posts that vent your frustration?

yeah, this post seems so well-polished that it seems to have been written by the associated press.

and BLM Fem ... is he still around ... seems like Soros is paying people. 

 

[Yagoda]

2 hours ago, Gottfrid said:

@Yagoda Where are you? Time to protect and serve your country. 😉 

And do what, troll?

[BKKKevin]

[Gottfrid]

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

And do what, troll?

Refute everything without concern about your biased and flawed opinion and love for a mentally ill dictator.

[BKKKevin]

5 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Refute everything without concern about your biased and flawed opinion and love for a mentally ill dictator.

 

[FriscoKid]

59 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

And do what, troll?

Be good, or be good at it, right?

[Presnock]

16 hours ago, RSD1 said:

Trump’s sweeping tariffs, now standing at 20% on most imports and up to 145% on Chinese goods, are meant to revive American manufacturing by making foreign products costlier and enticing firms to build factories in the US. But this plan is flawed and already buckling under economic pressure, cultural shifts, and Trump’s unpredictable leadership. Instead of bringing jobs and growth, it looks set to punish consumers and drive away investment.

 

Prices are rising for basics like coffee, clothing, and many electronics, adding anywhere from $1,300 to $3,800 average a year to household budgets. By 2026, inflation could jump up another 1.5% from these tariffs, while tariff retaliation from China and Canada threatens 740,000 US jobs and could shave 1.3% off American GDP. 

 

Farmers are already taking a hit, too. China’s 125% tariffs on US soybean and pork exports to China are crushing rural exporters and pushing grocery prices even higher. Yet Trump still banks on a fantasy that Americans will return to factory floors and companies will risk investing billions on building plants in the US.

 

But the economy has moved on. Services now make up 80% of American GDP, and manufacturing jobs, once 30% of employment in 1970, are down to just 8%. These jobs offer low wages, tough conditions, and little growth potential. Most workers who would be filling those types of jobs now lean toward tech, retail, or gig jobs. Automation cuts factory worker roles even further, weakening Trump’s nostalgic vision. And a new factory can cost up to $10 billion to build, a bet most CEOs will not take lightly. His constant policy reversals only add to the confusion. In 2018, tariff uncertainty froze $40 billion in new project investments. Now, US investment could drop another 15%-20%, with companies eyeing more stable countries like Singapore or Mexico.

 

Corruption rumors make it worse. Exemptions may favor Trump donors or his international real estate partners, tilting the market. Small importers get crushed. Big firms may shift billions to fairer systems in the EU or India. Voters expected jobs and cheaper goods, but rising prices and favoritism have left many already feeling burned.

 

So what happens if Trump's dream of American manufacturing glory just no longer fits the reality of a modern economy?

listen to all the economic experts...predicting recession only they named it Trumprecession so that the world history would be documented showing what happens when an idiot destroys a country's economy.  MHO anyway since I am no expert but I certainly can understand what it looks like he is trying to do.  Thinks he can rule the world too if only the Supreme Court and Congress help him out in setting up his throne!

[mogandave]

It is interesting that no one on the left gives a whit about Ukraine or the Palestinians since the tariffs. All they care about now is juicing up the markets….

[Yagoda]

2 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Refute everything without concern about your biased and flawed opinion and love for a mentally ill dictator.

Sure, whatever that means.

[Yagoda]

15 minutes ago, mogandave said:

It is interesting that no one on the left gives a whit about Ukraine or the Palestinians since the tariffs. All they care about now is juicing up the markets….

Its all Talking points to oppose Trump, the Socialists worst nightmare/

[Terrance8812]

10 hours ago, Pouatchee said:

 

what rock did you crawl out from under, bub?

snowflakes are a leftist thing, just like the new snow white, no?

Lol, you’re clearly just another beta cuck who gets triggered the moment someone says something you can’t cope with. Cry harder, groomer. Is this what Trump “fixing it” looks like? Because you are giving off strong basement-dweller vibes with a side of delusion. 😩😂

[Terrance8812]

26 minutes ago, mogandave said:

It is interesting that no one on the left gives a whit about Ukraine or the Palestinians since the tariffs.

Wow, that's clever, did you just make that up all on your own? Completely baseless rubbish. Based on what exactly? 🙄 

[rough diamond]

1 hour ago, mogandave said:

It is interesting that no one on the left gives a whit about Ukraine or the Palestinians since the tariffs. All they care about now is juicing up the markets….

Stupid comment without foundation.

Another one who cannot differentiate between hatred for Trump and party politics/left/right wing agendas and world problems. 

[3NUMBAS]

The 40 million living below poverty line is about to become 100million thanks to Donny

[metisdead]

Inflammatory posts have been removed:

• Be polite and respectful to other users.
• Avoid flaming, trolling, or stalking other members.

[rough diamond]

1 hour ago, 3NUMBAS said:

The 40 million living below poverty line is about to become 100million thanks to Donny

Is that all?

[Gottfrid]

4 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Its all Talking points to oppose Trump, the Socialists worst nightmare/

Hey! you forgot to sign leftists too!

[frank83628]

21 hours ago, RSD1 said:

Trump’s sweeping tariffs, now standing at 20% on most imports and up to 145% on Chinese goods, are meant to revive American manufacturing by making foreign products costlier and enticing firms to build factories in the US. But this plan is flawed and already buckling under economic pressure, cultural shifts, and Trump’s unpredictable leadership. Instead of bringing jobs and growth, it looks set to punish consumers and drive away investment.

 

Prices are rising for basics like coffee, clothing, and many electronics, adding anywhere from $1,300 to $3,800 average a year to household budgets. By 2026, inflation could jump up another 1.5% from these tariffs, while tariff retaliation from China and Canada threatens 740,000 US jobs and could shave 1.3% off American GDP. 

 

Farmers are already taking a hit, too. China’s 125% tariffs on US soybean and pork exports to China are crushing rural exporters and pushing grocery prices even higher. Yet Trump still banks on a fantasy that Americans will return to factory floors and companies will risk investing billions on building plants in the US.

 

But the economy has moved on. Services now make up 80% of American GDP, and manufacturing jobs, once 30% of employment in 1970, are down to just 8%. These jobs offer low wages, tough conditions, and little growth potential. Most workers who would be filling those types of jobs now lean toward tech, retail, or gig jobs. Automation cuts factory worker roles even further, weakening Trump’s nostalgic vision. And a new factory can cost up to $10 billion to build, a bet most CEOs will not take lightly. His constant policy reversals only add to the confusion. In 2018, tariff uncertainty froze $40 billion in new project investments. Now, US investment could drop another 15%-20%, with companies eyeing more stable countries like Singapore or Mexico.

 

Corruption rumors make it worse. Exemptions may favor Trump donors or his international real estate partners, tilting the market. Small importers get crushed. Big firms may shift billions to fairer systems in the EU or India. Voters expected jobs and cheaper goods, but rising prices and favoritism have left many already feeling burned.

 

So what happens if Trump's dream of American manufacturing glory just no longer fits the reality of a modern economy?

Corruption.... haha, is this the new Russia hoax, so totally bury the '10% for the big guy' and 'unless the prosecutor is fired you're not getting the.....'   Trump is now corrupted  

[Briggsy]

Trump seems to be fixated on some idyllic view of the US in the 50's. Guess what, this is unattainable today. There is no going back. The US is not going to be driving 8-cylinder cars manufactured in the US, going to the hop at the weekend whilst mothers stay at home to raise children and blacks and Asians remain segregated.

 

Every day confirms Obama's "woefully unsuitable" label. Never a truer word has been spoken.

[mogandave]

23 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

The 40 million living below poverty line is about to become 100million thanks to Donny

Yes. all those people living below the poverty level with 401Ks, IRAs and brokerage accuwill suffer terribly.