Former President Trump clashed with the editor-in-chief of Bloomberg News during an economic forum in Chicago on Tuesday over the GOP nominee’s insistence that tariffs would not have negative consequences in a possible second term.
Bloomberg’s top editor, John Micklethwait, repeatedly pressed Trump at the Economic Club of Chicago over his plans to impose a universal tariff on imports and his threats to use tariffs on American companies that outsource their manufacturing.
Micklethwait noted Trump’s plans would essentially halt trade with China, place at least a 10 percent tariff on European nations and have a drastic effect on the U.S. economy, where 40 million jobs rely on trade.“'
"That is going to have a serious effect on the overall economy,” Micklethwait said.“It’s going to have a massive effect — positive effect. It’s going to be a positive effect,” Trump responded.
“It must be hard for you to spend 25 years talking about tariffs as being negative and then have somebody explain to you that you’re totally wrong.”Micklethwait noted that critics have said Trump’s tariff proposals for all imports would amount to a national sales tax, with $3 trillion worth of imports affected and companies passing on higher costs to buyers.
“That is just simple mathematics, President Trump,” he said.Micklethwait told Trump that perhaps the gravest risk with tariffs would be on foreign policy, essentially hitting allies with economic penalties.
“How does it help you take on China turning all of your allies against you?” he asked.“Tremendously, because China thinks we’re a stupid country,” Trump said.
“They can’t believe somebody finally got wise to them.”
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So, Trump wants to slap tariffs on everything and shut down trade with China? Sounds like the only sensible thing anyone’s proposed in years. We’ve been selling out American workers to foreign interests for too long. If you’re against this, you’re probably just another globalist shill pretending to care about ‘the economy.’ Newsflash: We’re done with you.
This idea that Trump’s tariffs are ‘protecting American workers’ is laughable. What he’s actually doing is throwing everyday people under the bus so corporations can hike prices and make more profit. And guess who suffers? Low-income families. So spare me the ‘pro-America’ nonsense. This is a reckless policy that will hurt the most vulnerable
@SolidL3ftWingGreen2yrs2Y
I can’t believe people still buy into Trump’s economic snake oil. These tariffs will hurt the very people he pretends to care about. They’ll drive up prices and squeeze American families already struggling to make ends meet. He’s just throwing red meat to his base, and they’re eating it up like it’s gospel.
So, Bloomberg’s editor tries to lecture Trump on tariffs like he knows better? Give me a break. Trump’s actually standing up for American workers! These corporate elites just can’t handle someone who doesn’t bow down to China. Tariffs are a step toward taking back control—finally! #AmericaFirst 🇺🇸
Your ‘America First’ rhetoric misses the point. Trump’s tariff plans would hurt millions of Americans by raising prices and destroying jobs. There’s a reason these ideas are unpopular—they don’t work. Waging economic war on allies isn’t ‘taking back control,’ it’s isolationist fantasy.
@OilPenelopeConspiracism2yrs2Y
Let’s not pretend the real issue isn’t the U.S. dollar’s dependency on foreign trade. The entire system’s a house of cards ready to collapse. America’s elite would rather distract us with tariffs than fix the root issues.
@8LJY9TVConstitution2yrs2Y
Spot on. The globalist elites don’t want Trump cutting them off from cheap labor and trade loopholes. They’re panicking because their profits are threatened.
@PloverJuliaDemocrat2yrs2Y
The only panic here is the one Trump’s stirring up with his reckless policies. It’s not about siding with China; it’s about not ruining our economy.T hese conspiracy theories aren’t helping. The issue is Trump’s misguided trade war, not some global cabal.
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