Trump's trade war winds up as a consumer headache

Trump's tariff strategy has raised prices, slowed growth, and tested the resilience of US manufacturing.

Trump's trade war hurts ordinary Americans

The article casts doubt on claims of triumph from tariffs. It notes that inflation has increased and job growth has slowed after the tariff announcements, with the Yale Budget Lab estimating that the typical US household will pay about $2,400 more in 2025. Prices for apparel and shoes are projected to rise sharply, underscoring how the policy often harms the people it claims to help.

Manufacturing signals are mixed. Ford reports a profit drop of about $800 million in the second quarter, Harley-Davidson cites tariff-related costs, and even Apple has announced a large US investment while broader gains remain uncertain. The White House has pushed tariffs on dozens of countries, lifting the average import tariff to around 18 percent, creating uncertainty that could delay any rate cuts from the Federal Reserve.

Tariffs are being used as a political tool rather than a long term strategic policy. They generate headlines but introduce ongoing business uncertainty that dampens investment and disrupts supply chains.

In a digital and service driven economy, stable policy matters more than dramatic tariff moves. The piece suggests the United States needs a clearer objective and reliable rules for trade partners, rather than a cycle of threats and concessions that erode trust with allies and raise costs for consumers.

Highlights

Trade policy needs a clear plan that protects both jobs and relations abroad