Tariffs Manifesto for Dummies

Similar to the now-infamous "healthcare plan for dummies," the controversy surrounding tariffs has devolved into another exercise in political posturing. Beneath the bravado lies no genuine strategy—only a fixation on headlines and a desire to dominate the news cycle. What is conspicuously absent, once again, is a thoughtful plan to improve the economy or raise the standard of living for everyday Americans.

Tariffs are not political weapons. They are intricate economic instruments designed to regulate trade imbalances, protect strategic industries, and foster fair competition in the global marketplace. When misapplied as tools for political retaliation, they distort markets, sow uncertainty, and often end up harming the very economies they claim to defend.

For instance, what significant changes occurred in the trade, socioeconomic, or diplomatic relationship between the United States and Brazil, either a month ago or even a week ago, that could justify President Donald Trump’s recent decision to increase tariffs on Brazilian goods? The answer is nothing substantial. The only notable development is Brazil’s hosting of the 2025 BRICS Summit, other than the criminal prosecution of the former president corrupt enrichment.

This move appears to have triggered a reaction rooted in political grandstanding rather than any clear economic rationale. It is a gesture devoid of strategic value and lacking any measurable benefit to American industry or consumers.

The earlier Wall Street, American farmers, and foreign trade-related investors realize there is no economic plan, the better for Americans. Heads of states and leaders of governments overseas are already aware of the absence of a coherent plan from Washington, D.C.

His tariff rhetoric treats complex trade dynamics as if they can be solved with a tweet, executive order, or a press conference. This shallow approach undermines global trust, disrupts supply chains, and inflates costs for consumers and producers alike. Both Americans and the international community feel the ripple effects. When has the imposition or elimination of tariffs become the subject of riddles and jokes? 

Presently, it is impossible for anyone to definitively state the current trade policy or tariff regime between the United States and countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico. The rules have undergone numerous changes, particularly within the past 100 days, rendering effective planning a significant challenge for affected nations and investors. 

This heightened level of unpredictability is fostering an environment of economic instability at home, and increasingly bears resemblance to tacit market manipulation, which appears to favor speculators and stockbrokers at the expense of long-term policy consistency and global trust.

The world, specifically Americans, cannot afford a major economy operating without a reliable and credible trade compass. As global challenges, from inflation to climate-linked disruptions, mount, international trade demands coordination and foresight. And trade policy must be grounded in data, long-term planning, and mutual benefit, as opposed to the prevailing ego or electoral theatrics.

In conclusion, whether in Washington, Lagos, Brussels, or Beijing, citizens and institutions must insist on evidence-based economic leadership. America must demand clarity. Demand competence. And above all, demand that President Donald Trump and his seemingly overtly subservient advisers—subservient, at least, for now—treat global trade as a serious lever of policy, not a stage for political drama. 

Barr. Alex Aidaghese is a lawyer and public policy analyst. He writes on governance, international affairs, and democratic accountability.

July 13, 2025