Renowned U.S. economist Richard Wolff has labeled the Trump administration's recent tariff hikes as "desperate acts," signaling its struggle to compete in the global economy. Wolff compares the tariff barriers to a symbolic wall, akin to the immigration barriers at the southern border, suggesting the U.S. is closing itself off from the world. He warned that the international community views the policy as a clear sign of economic weakness, highlighting concerns over U.S. competitiveness.