No Such Thing As Free Trade

Trade has always involved tariffs and fees, despite the persistent myth of free trade. The United States, historically, has used tariffs and later subsidized much of the world economically and through security to foster alliances. This created dependence on American aid while other nations maintained trade barriers, leading to an unsustainable imbalance. Donald Trump's administration addressed this by threatening tariffs on nations with unfair trade practices, particularly in Asia, that manipulate currency and dump cheap products. The goal is to recalibrate trade, reduce deficits, and potentially pause tariffs for compliant nations. America's actions are a response to decades of foreign nations taxing and subsidizing against American goods. This has negatively impacted American workers, consumers, and government debt. The administration aims to prioritize national interests, leading to negotiations for barrier reductions and potentially decoupling from China's unfair practices. Reciprocal tariffs, if successful, may reduce trade barriers, fostering competition and possible long-term fairer trade. Trump's transactional approach makes deals possible, potentially revitalizing domestic manufacturing through deregulation, tax cuts, and government downsizing. This could trigger economic growth, increasing tax revenue and addressing national debt while ushering in a period of prosperity.