A Steel Man Argument for Trump’s Tariff and Immigration Policies

Because John Polonis Asked For It

Photo by Fabian Fauth on Unsplash

I’m no fan of Donald Trump, Trumpism, or MAGA. I believe that Democratic policies, broadly speaking, better serve the national interests of America and the lives of average Americans than Republican policies. I also believe that Trump’s rhetoric and character matter very much.

But it’s worth creating a “Steel Man argument” for the positions with which you disagree. Also, John Polonis asked for a robust, fact-based argument for Trump’s tariffs in his recent Political Prism round-up, and I hate to let John down.

Here’s my best effort at making a case for Trump’s tariffs and immigration policy (two-for-one!), based on absorbing as much news from NPR, the New York Times, and Vox Media as my brain can handle.

Trump’s tariffs may reorient America’s economy

America’s economy has shifted over the last forty years from manufacturing to services. In the best-case scenario, Trump’s tariffs would reorient the U.S. economy from services back to manufacturing.

In theory, high tariffs will incentivize private firms to reshore manufacturing. Instead of building stuff in China and shipping it, they will move their factories to America and…