A Couple of Matts Put Failure of Trump's Tariff Policy With China Into Perspective

While it is true that Trump has lied and managed to pull the wool over the eyes of tens of millions of Americans, it feels to me that he was pretty blunt and honest about his intentions with some things. For example, when it came to his intention to impose tariffs on other countries - especially China - he was being quite honest and meant what he said.

Now, it seems obvious to everyone - all but members of the MAGA cult, that is - that Trump's tariff policy is, as so much of his policies tend to be, chaotic and not well thought out. Regardless of what he or other White House officials say, imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico early on, and then backing off for a month, then imposing similar tariffs one month later, than again backing off, and then imposing tariffs on almost all nations around the globe, and then once again largely backing down really exemplifies a lack of vision and, frankly, stability. 

Predictably, the economy has responded quite negatively. And those hit Trumps' approval ratings pretty hard. That most likely accounts for why the White House subsequently backed off from the tariffs.

Except, of course, for China. Trump was adamant that the tariffs remain in place for China. 

Then, of course, he backed down.

Of course, the Trump White House is declaring this a huge success. Some are suggesting that this was the "win" that Trump's White House desperately needed.

However, it does not feel much like a major win, does it? In fact, the Chinese are celebrating. They feel, with some reason, that they had a staring contest with the big, bad United States led by the Orange wanna be tough guy. And at the end of it all, they feel that they won. 

Frankly, that's what it feels like.

Now, it has been a long time since I identified as a member of either major party (and I never identified with the Republicans, or even voted Republicans for a single office on any level), but it seemed to me that Democratic pollster and strategist Matt McDermott summed up Trump's game of chicken regarding the China tariff failure quite succinctly. 

Below is a picture of his X post yesterday (with the link to that page attached):

https://x.com/mattmfm/status/1921897420297846971

https://bsky.app/profile/mattmfm.bsky.social

Another excellent summary of what Trump's failure to achieve anything with his tariff war against China was summed up in yet another X post yesterday by yet another Democrat, who also happens to be named Matt as well.

That would be Matthew Miller, a former spokesperson for the State Department. In a funny post, Miller likened Trump's policy to altering the position of a gun that we (by which he means Americans) from our own head to our foot. Shooting ourselves in the foot, in other words.

Then, he sarcastically calls this distinctive Trump policy "masterful negotiating."

Yup. Pretty solid point made, and this one showing an ability to laugh. I know that it might be a bit difficult to laugh at things, especially related to all of the bad news which we have had to grow used to since around early November, but he manages it.

Below is a picture of his X post (with the link to that page attached). Take a look:

https://x.com/matthewamiller/status/1921901454408749430