Play the game, take the blame

The U.S. government's recent tariff threats have disrupted global trade and violated international rules, sparking widespread criticism — including from allies. At the same time, the domino effect of this tariff war starts unfolding — U.S. consumers are forced to bear rising prices, inflation is accelerated and job losses mount; meanwhile, retaliatory tariffs hurt American exporters. In the end, it is the U.S. economy that bears the brunt. Paradoxically, the same policy meant to shield the country and its people's interests now comes crashing down on the very people it claims to protect.

Nearly a century ago, in the name of protecting domestic industries, the U.S. government wrecked its own economy. In 1930, despite widespread opposition from the business community, it enacted the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act — a move that deepened the Great Depression and earned the act to become recognized as one of the most notorious laws in American history. The U.S. government is repeating this destructive pattern. And in today's deeply globalized world, a tariff war's consequences would be even more severe and far-reaching. Has America learned nothing from its own "Tariff-ic" disaster?

The U.S. government is increasingly irrationally weaponizing tariffs. Treating the trade war as a high-stakes gamble, Uncle Sam is imposing tariffs in pursuit of "Make America Great Again," heedless of the risks to national prosperity and the people's welfare. If this continues, he is likely to lose both.

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