Trump’s Tariff Shock Wasn’t (Just) About Markets — It Was a Global Power Play

When trade stops being about goods — and becomes a test of allegiance

When trade stops being about goods — and becomes a test of allegiance (created by author)

Trump’s intention to dismantle the international economic system, one that the United States has fostered since World War II, is now undeniable. The latest evidence definitely seemed just like any other Trump tantrum: a show followed by a now-notorious Truth Social post. A half-coherent tariff plan as a patriotic jab at China — built on third-grade math.

Well, since April 2, 2025, the tariff war he unleashed has created unpredictable tensions between the US and China, with Europe caught between this two-headed monster. The hiking tariffs on Chinese imports have, for the moment, reached 145% by April 10 — a figure that includes earlier penalties for China’s alleged role in supplying fentanyl to the U.S. The White House insisted this was just the floor. No ceiling in sight.

By raising tariffs on Chinese imports to unprecedented levels — even as he issued a partial reprieve to other nations — Trump has severely disrupted trade relations between the world’s two largest economies. So we appear to be witnessing a historic restructuring of the global economy as the world’s two largest powers drift apart.