Proving Doomsayers Wrong

Trump's Tariffs: Proving the Doomsayers Wrong

The world didn’t end. The Chicken Littles are getting old.

When President Trump rolled out sweeping tariffs in April—the boldest in nearly a century—economists and pundits screamed disaster. Inflation would explode. Recession was imminent. Companies and consumers rushed to stockpile goods, bracing for chaos. But months later, the U.S. economy stands tall: growing, resilient, and laughing in the face of fear.

Inflation? A modest 3% in September—above the Fed’s 2% target, yes, but far below the apocalyptic forecasts. Tariffs played a role, but a quiet one, nudging prices only slightly on items like furniture and clothing. The real story is adaptation. American businesses didn’t panic—they pivoted. Production shifted from high-tariff nations to allies like Vietnam, Mexico, and Turkey. Effective rates paid by companies? Around 12.5%, not the 17%+ headlines blared. Loopholes, exemptions, and smart logistics turned potential pain into manageable pressure.

Even better: companies are absorbing costs. With profit margins flush from the post-pandemic boom, firms are eating 30% to 50% of tariff expenses. Retailers are holding prices steady, preserving 2010s-level margins. In autos, despite 15%+ import duties, prices rose just 1.1% since spring—carmakers shouldering 80% of the burden. Consumers aren’t paying the price the critics promised.

Spending remains strong, fueled by record stock markets and low unemployment. Consumer confidence dipped briefly, but Americans kept shopping—70% of GDP and counting. Tariff revenues are flowing in, on pace for hundreds of billions annually, funding American priorities without crushing growth.

No manufacturing collapse. No recession. Just strategic protectionism working exactly as Trump intended: shielding workers, punishing unfair trade, and proving America thrives when it fights smart. The doomsday crowd was wrong—again. Trump’s tariffs aren’t a burden. They’re a blueprint for strength.

The sky isn’t falling. It’s rising—with American jobs, innovation, and pride leading the way.