Trump’s Tariff Gamble: A Dangerous Path to Economic Isolation

Donald Trump’s trade wars have been hailed by some as a much-needed reckoning for America’s trade imbalances and a bold attempt to restore the country’s industrial might. Yet, beneath the surface of this economic liberation, there’s a far more dangerous gamble at play, one that could ultimately harm America’s standing in the world and destabilize the global economy. Trump’s tariff policies aren’t just misguided — they are a reflection of a worldview that is hopelessly stuck in the past, attempting to resurrect industries that technology and globalization have already left behind.

Trump’s obsession with manufacturing is the cornerstone of his economic strategy. His rhetoric portrays America as a nation ravaged by offshoring, with its factories shuttered and workers forgotten. But this narrative is a fantasy. The US economy has undergone a profound transformation in the last few decades, and the hollowed-out America Trump speaks of simply doesn’t exist. The reality is that America has surged ahead of its rivals in many areas, particularly technology and services, which now drive the global economy. Yet, Trump refuses to acknowledge this shift. His tariffs are focused almost exclusively on physical goods, ignoring the massive surpluses the US runs in industries like software, finance, and entertainment. By fixating on manufacturing, Trump is…