The Game of Tariffs

The threat of tariffs has grabbed the media’s attention. There have been overblown concerns about inflation, and that we may be headed for a recession.

Yes, in the short term, tariffs will be headwinds for the economy. There will be some price increases.

What Role Do Tariffs Play?

This Administration is using tariffs for multiple purposes as part of its broader economic strategy. Rather than simply being punitive measures, tariffs are strategic tools designed to reshape global trade relationships and strengthen America’s economic position. The Administration has identified several key objectives these tariffs are meant to achieve:

Encouraging Behavioral Changes

• • Promote shared border protection responsibilities, with the neighboring countries of Mexico and Canada showing an increased effort
  • Discourage currency manipulation that creates trade imbalances with other countries
  • Maintain a stable U.S. dollar to ensure fair trade practices globally

Leveling the Playing Field

• • Address the significant disparity in global tariff rates, with the U.S. average at just 2.7% compared to much higher international rates:
    • South Korea: 11.1%
    • India: 14.3%
    • Brazil: 12.4%
    • China: 6.5%
    • Mexico: 6.0%
  • Use strategic tariff threats to bring major trade offenders to the negotiating table
  • Work toward establishing more reciprocal trading relationships

Protecting National Security & Economic Interests

• • Safeguard industries critical to national security, including precious metals and semiconductor production
  • Build domestic manufacturing capacity to reduce foreign dependencies and strengthen supply chains
  • Create high-quality jobs for American workers through domestic production incentives

The economic impact of tariffs extends beyond trade balances. During the 2018-2019 tariff implementation, companies like LG Electronics and Samsung established U.S. factories to avoid 12% tariffs on washing machines. This shift not only created new American jobs but also demonstrated how tariffs can effectively reshape corporate decision-making and investment patterns.

While tariffs may create short-term market volatility, they form part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at long-term industrial strength and economic sovereignty. As history has shown, when combined with tax cuts, deregulation, and increased energy production, this approach can ultimately lead to economic growth with controlled inflation.

The overall goal is to see reciprocal adjustments in tariffs and avoid retaliatory tariffs. Tariffs are only one pillar of the new Administration’s economic game plan.

Other Effective Tactics

Other effective tactics in the Administration’s economic strategy include tax cuts, deregulation, and increased energy production.

Tax Cuts

The first step is to make permanent the tax cuts implemented over the last five years. These tax cuts are deflationary, helping to keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets while balancing additional measures between the House and Senate.

Deregulation

Deregulation is another critical component. Administrative guidance aims to remove ten regulations for every new one added. Since compliance with regulations is costly for businesses, reducing these burdens is also deflationary, fostering a more business-friendly environment.

Energy Production

Increased energy production complements these efforts. By reducing regulatory barriers, access to energy sources and their distribution will expand. Over time, this will lead to greater energy flow, lower production costs, and eventually reduced prices at gas pumps and for consumers in general.

The rollout of tariffs, tax cuts, deregulation, and higher energy production happened in the last Trump Administration. Eventually the economy was booming, and inflation remained under 2%.

The unknown of how the tariffs will play out makes the stock market nervous. We will see volatility for a season. This may be the instigator of a stock market correction. We have been overdue for a correction. Currently, three different measures of the stock market value show the stock market is overvalued.

Do not let the media’s emphasis on tariffs overshadow the cost cutting measure also underway. Remember the big picture – the volatility we are experiencing will only be a blip. There are blue skies ahead!