By Mike Voltaggio, Staff Writer
47th President elect Donald Trump is already making political waves just one month away from the inauguration for his second term in the oval office. Instead of a rambunctious rally or a criminal offense, this time it is Trump’s new, soon-to-be instituted policies that are making the headlines.
The policy in question is Trump’s new plan to set up tariffs on many foreign exported goods coming to America. The policy includes a 25 percent tariff on all Canadian and Mexican imported goods as well as an additional 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imported goods.
According to Trump himself, these tariffs are to remain in place “until such a time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country.”
In the President-elect’s mind, these tariffs will “create more factory jobs, shrink the federal deficit, lower food prices, and allow the government to subsidize childcare.”
American consumerism has been a very prominent talking point for Trump throughout his 2024 campaign, but will these tariffs actually benefit the American consumer?
Senior communications major Nick Fioravanti shared his thoughts on the impact Trump’s tariffs will have on the American market
“I think that the tariffs being imposed by the President-elect will not be beneficial for the average American consumer,” Fioravanti said. “The general consensus after the tariffs were proposed by the Republican party was that Trump is trying to bring back American made goods and domestic manufacturing, and while I believe that that sentiment is based in good faith, it ultimately will not happen how Republicans Think it will. Tariffs levied against Canadian, Mexican, and Chinese products being imported into the United States will only affect the price of said goods. The countries being tariffed will only raise the prices of the imported goods and the cost will ultimately fall on the consumer.”
Daniel Desmond, a sophomore education major, also shared his thoughts on Trump tariffs and its impact on consumerism.
“I believe that the tariff policy is a strategic move to protect and boost American industries,” Desmond said. “By making these tariffs our government is trying to make it so we have no dependency on foreign products and encourage domestic production. This can lead to a number of good things such as job creation and economic growth. Though it is important to realize that these tariffs might result in higher prices for the American people in the short term, imported goods will become more expensive and the American people might feel the pinch in their wallets, but in the long run the increased domestic production could stabilize these prices and make the U.S. a more self-sufficient economy.”
A common disagreement with the Trump tariffs is that America is so advanced of a country that it doesn’t need to spend its time and resources manufacturing goods such as shoes and clothing and instead should focus those things towards more important and advanced goods. However, people who are in support of the tariffs advocate that they will increase job availability and in turn give middle and lower class Americans an opportunity to jump into the workforce.
Fioravanti shared which side he finds himself leaning towards.
“I don’t particularly find myself on either side of the statement,” states Fioravanti. “ America has become such a progressively advanced nation in comparison to other nations around the world, yet there are so many issues still at the lowest levels that lawmakers have yet to figure out. While American companies have been outsourcing making goods such as clothing or other related items to ‘third world countries’, it has decreased the necessity and market for skilled labor amongst the working class here in America. There are less factories, workshops, and other trades that can claim to be 100 percent American than ever due to this outsourcing. I believe that we as a nation may have gone too long without having these skilled jobs and it would be difficult to re-integrate them back into society.”
Desmond also stated his stance on the matter.
“I find myself to be in favor of the tariffs,” Desmond said. “While it is true that America is an advanced country, one of the most advanced countries in the world, and some may say that we don’t need to focus on producing items such as shoes and clothing, I believe these tariffs can provide job openings for lower class Americans which will boost our economy by increasing employment rates. By encouraging domestic production we can give more people the chance to earn a stable income and support their families. This can help reduce unemployment rates and strengthen the overall economy by keeping more money circulating within the country.”
Other than American consumerism, another major talking point for Trump throughout his 2024 campaign was regarding national security and stopping foreign conflict around the world. Many foreign countries use American money to fund their conflicts so potentially tariffs could prove to be a strategically fruitful move by the President-elect.
Fioravanti discussed whether he believes the tariffs will halt conflicts around the world, or if this is a nationalistic ploy by Donald Trump to isolate America from other countries.
“I tend to lean more towards Trump being a nationalist in his approach to levying these tariffs,” Fioravanti said. “The Republican party and Trump’s platform during this election cycle and previous elections has been to put America first and above every other nation while simultaneously neglecting the needs of other nations. Now that Trump wants to slam countries that are normally allied with us (Canada and Mexico signed The North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994 to promote free trade between the three countries, along with China being America’s biggest trade partner of the most recent decade) I believe this could be a recipe for some tension brewing on an international scale.”
Desmond also shared his sentiments.
“I think Trump’s major focus is to protect American interests by incorporating tariffs,” Desmond states. “I can also see how it can be seen as a way to prevent conflicts fueled by foreign money, but I think his main goal is strengthening the American economy through tariffs. Although he might see this as a way to stop sending money to foreign wars because we won’t need to pay for foreign goods because everything will be made here in the U.S. This is a strategic move by President Trump to prioritize the well-being of the nation and its citizens.”
It seems as though Trump has big plans for his second Presidential term and whether you want to call it ambitious or crazy, only time can dictate the outcome.
Be First to Comment