Trump’s Tariffs Spark Global Backlash: A Step Backward?

U.S. tariffs stir debate as critics say they 'reverse decades of progress'

U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest wave of tariffs has critics worldwide sounding the alarm, with media arguing the move could drag global trade back to the 1800s. From economic analysts to industry leaders, here’s how the drama unfolds.

Friedman’s Warning: 'The Future Isn’t in America'

Pulitzer-winning columnist Thomas Friedman slammed the tariffs in a New York Times op-ed, calling them 'magical thinking.' He stressed that modern products like iPhones rely on global supply chains: 'Slapping on tariffs won’t rebuild U.S. factories overnight.' His solution? Foster U.S.-China partnerships to share tech and rebuild trust.

The Economist: 'Trade Policy Stuck in Time Machine'

A scathing article compared Trump’s tactics to 19th-century protectionism, arguing they could dismantle post-WWII trade systems. 'Globalization boosted U.S. prosperity,' the piece noted, but Trump’s 'walls of tariffs' risk burying that legacy.

AP Report: Inflation & Trade Wars Ahead?

The Associated Press warned the tariffs might spark 1930s-style chaos. Experts from the Cato Institute called it 'a repeat of Smoot-Hawley,' the policy that worsened the Great Depression. Critics like Rep. Suzan DelBene labeled the move 'dysfunction' and a 'broken promise' to lower costs.

Trump’s Approval Hits New Low

A Reuters poll shows Trump’s approval at 43%, his worst since taking office. Over half of Americans fear tariffs will hurt families, while a third of Republicans remain loyal. The debate rages: Is this economic revival or self-sabotage?

Reference(s):

U.S. trade policies 'back to late 1800s': Media on Trump's tariffs

cgtn.com