The ghost of Ronald Reagan has spooked Trump over tariffs | Sidney Blumenthal

The recent display of President Trump's unease over tariffs has taken an unexpected turn, courtesy of the ghost of Ronald Reagan. The Republican president's reaction to a TV ad during the World Series that featured excerpts from Reagan's radio talk about trade wars was swift and decisive. In response, Trump slapped an additional 10% tariff on Canada, claiming it was a "serious misrepresentation of the facts" and a "hostile act".

This development has sparked questions over what exactly is bothering Trump. Is he genuinely concerned about the impact of tariffs on the US economy, or is it simply another attempt to assert his dominance? The fact that Trump's tariffs have been met with widespread criticism from economists and lawmakers alike suggests that his approach may be misguided.

The irony is not lost on many observers, who point out that Reagan was a stalwart advocate for free trade and reduced tariffs. In a speech delivered in 1987, the former president warned about the dangers of protectionism, stating that high tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars.

Trump's response has been described as "atavistic" by some, with his decision to impose tariffs reminiscent of the Republican protectionism of the 1930s. This approach is unlikely to yield positive results for the US economy or its allies, many argue.

The stakes are high in this case, as Trump's administration faces a potentially embarrassing defeat in court over its tariff policies. The consequences of this outcome could be far-reaching, with some analysts predicting a decline in the US Gross Domestic Product growth rate from 2.8% to 1.5% by 2026.

One can't help but wonder if Trump's recent actions have been motivated more by a desire to assert his authority than a genuine concern for the welfare of American businesses and workers. Whatever the reason, it is clear that this case will not be settled soon, and its outcome will have significant implications for global trade policies and US domestic politics.

In the midst of all this uncertainty, one thing is certain: the ghost of Ronald Reagan continues to haunt Trump, a constant reminder of his own vulnerabilities in the face of criticism. Whether Trump emerges victorious or defeated, the real winners are likely to be those who profit from the turmoil - including Cantor Fitzgerald's CEO, Howard Lutnick, and his family, who are cashing in on the potential for tariff refunds.
 
I'm so done with this guy, he's like a child having a tantrum because someone didn't say exactly what he wants to hear 🤣. The fact that he's going after Canada like they're the one who messed up is just ridiculous, it's like blaming your sibling for not cleaning their room. And now he's trying to play it cool by saying it was a "serious misrepresentation of the facts" but let's be real, we've all seen this guy make some pretty sketchy claims before 🤦‍♂️.

And can we talk about how embarrassing it is that he's trying to emulate Reagan? Like, come on Trump, you're not even close to being the same person. It's like you're trying to be the cool uncle who's always dressed in a suit and tie but really you're just a hot mess 🤪.

And what's with all these tariffs anyway? It's like he thinks he's some kind of trade ninja, sneaking up on everyone and slapping them with taxes without even thinking about how it's going to affect anyone. Newsflash Trump: nobody likes paying more for stuff because you're being a grumpy toddler 🤑.
 
🤔 I'm so tired of this back and forth with tariffs... it's like Trump is trying to prove a point or something 😒. Newsflash, buddy: just because you're a billionaire doesn't mean you have a PhD in economics 🤑. And what's up with the ghost of Reagan? Can't he just chill for one sec? 😂 The fact that economists and lawmakers are calling out Trump's approach as misguided just tells me it's all about showmanship and not actual policy 💼. We need someone who cares about our economy, not just their own bank account 🤷‍♀️.
 
omg u guys r like totally confused about trump rn 🤯 i think hes just trying 2 show off lol idc if he thinks tariffs r a good idea or not but hes def making a mess of it like, every time theres a trade war hes just slapping more tariffs on ppl and expecting them 2 be all grateful 🙄 meanwhile cantor fitch's CEO is just raking in the dough because of trump's antics 🤑 wth is wrong with this guy??
 
🤔 I think what's really going on here is that Trump is getting caught up in a cycle of blame-shifting and deflection, where instead of addressing the legitimate concerns about his tariffs, he's using them as an excuse to attack his enemies and shift attention away from his own failures 🚫. And let's be real, who needs more tariffs anyway? It's just another example of how protectionist policies can stifle innovation and hurt US businesses in the long run 🤯
 
dude 🤔 i dont think trump is really concerned about the economy, he's just trying to show off how tough he is 🤑 like a child throwing a tantrum because someone took away his toy. that 10% tariff on canada was just ridiculous, it'll only hurt american businesses and workers in the end 🚫

i mean, come on, ronald reagan was all about free trade and reducing tariffs, so what's trump's deal? is he trying to prove something to himself or his fans? 🤷‍♂️ it just doesn't add up, bro.

and yeah, cantor fitch's ceo making bank off this thing is pretty wild 😳. i guess someone's gotta profit from the chaos, right?
 
omg trump is such a joke 🤣 i cant believe he thinks reagan would support him lol like reagan was all about free trade and didnt wanna deal with tariffs at all this whole thing just makes me LOL also cant wait to see what happens next in court idc if they win or lose but cantor fitch's CEO is getting a sick payday 🤑👍
 
I'm telling you, this whole thing is a perfect example of how politicians don't always keep their word 🤦‍♂️. Trump is trying to act all tough and assertive about tariffs, but deep down, he's just trying to cover his own behind 🙅‍♂️. I mean, come on, the ghost of Reagan, really? It's like he's trying to invoke some kind of protection from history or something 🔮.

And let's be real, this whole thing is a classic case of "do as I say, not as I do" 🤣. Trump is all about free trade and reducing tariffs when it suits him, but as soon as someone else gets in the way, suddenly he becomes a protectionist 👊. It's like he thinks we're all just going to eat our words if we don't agree with him 🍔.

The fact that economists and lawmakers are against his approach is like music to my ears 😎. I mean, finally, someone is calling out this nonsense for what it is - a bunch of populist grandstanding 💪. And let's not forget the potential consequences if Trump loses in court... that's just a win-win for everyone else 🤷‍♂️.
 
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