What if some of the most criticized policies of the Trump administration were actually part of a well-thought-out long-term strategy? Mark Angelides, host of Liberty Nation Radio, and Liberty Nation’s senior political analyst Tim Donner take a closer look at the performance of Donald Trump’s economic policies, especially tariffs and trade deals, and whether they’re truly benefiting the United States.
Video courtesy of Liberty Nation. Video Summary generated with Artificial Intelligence.
When President Trump first introduced tariffs, the move was met with skepticism from many sides. Even free-market economists, who generally don’t favor tariffs, raised concerns. These concerns weren’t unfounded. As discussed in Tarrifying or Tarrific? Examining Trump’s Trade Agenda, tariffs had a short-term impact on the market, causing disruptions in the supply chain and raising worries about the cost of living.
Despite initial worries, things began to shift as trade deals started happening. The market, which tends to react strongly to even minor setbacks, responded positively to these developments. The announcement of the US-UK trade deal, along with progress on a deal with China, helped the market recover. You can read more about these deals in The Tale of the Tariffs: Goodbye Britain, Hello China and White House Sets Trade Tone After US-UK Deal.
Why the positive change? According to Donald Trump Jr., countries realized that it was in their best interest to negotiate trade deals sooner rather than later. The longer they waited, the less favorable the terms might be. This created a domino effect, encouraging more countries to come to the table. While a potential trade deal with India might face delays due to conflicts with Pakistan (as explained in Pakistan and India Pushed to the Brink Again), the overall trend suggests growing confidence in the market.
Here’s a surprising fact: a Nepolitan News Service poll revealed that less than half of Americans understand that faster economic growth actually reduces the federal budget deficit. This connection is crucial. When the economy grows, and taxes are lowered, people have more money to spend. Businesses can hire more employees, who then pay taxes. This can lead to increased government revenue.
This idea isn’t new. It’s based on the Laffer Curve, which suggests that there’s an optimal point for tax rates. Lowering taxes too much can decrease government revenue, but finding the right balance can stimulate the economy and increase revenue.
The ultimate goal is to tackle the national debt. Many consider it a major issue that could have serious consequences if left unaddressed. The hope is that increased tax revenue from job creation, driven by tariffs and trade, will help to reduce this debt. An even more ambitious idea is to eventually replace income tax for lower-income Americans with tariff revenue.
President Trump initiated his tariff policies early in his term, understanding that it would take time for them to produce results. It’s essential that these policies show clear success before the midterm elections. Trade deals are complex and can take months to negotiate due to various non-tariff-related issues. The relatively quick completion of the US-UK trade accord is a notable achievement in this context.
The tariffs have put pressure on China’s export-driven economy. With fewer ships coming in and out, the Chinese economy has suffered, leading to job losses and full ports. While some worry that tariffs hurt American consumers, the reality is that China, as a major exporter, feels the impact more directly.
Trump’s approach to trade deals emphasizes “plus-sum” outcomes, where both sides benefit. This is different from “zero-sum” deals, where one side wins and the other loses, often leading to political opposition. The US-UK and China deals are examples of this win-win strategy.
The key question is: how much additional revenue will these trade deals generate once they’re finalized? Of course, there’s always skepticism about how the government will spend any extra money.
In conclusion, while there are reasons to be optimistic about the potential benefits of Trump’s trade policies and their impact on economic growth and the national debt, it’s important to remain cautious. The degree of success will ultimately determine whether these policies achieve their intended goals.
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.