International What is the real reason for Trump's tariffs?

[MeatheadMike]

These are the main tariff theories I've seen, but none of them fully make sense and even the reasons that Trump himself gave are incompatible with each other:


1) To combat Security Risks. It's what he said regarding Fentanyl. Might make sense for Mexico or possibly China, but makes no sense that he's also tariffing countries like Australia or Canada, and he hasn't even stated what specific demands he wants fulfilled to remove the tariffs.

2) To bring back manufacturing to the US. He also gave this as a reason, and if true it would mean what he said about #1 above is not true. But if this is his goal, it makes no sense to use blanket tariffs instead of targeting specific industries, and it doesn't explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing the tariffs instead of just laying out his plan.

3) To negotiate better trade deals. This would maybe explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing tariffs. It would mean that what he said in #1 #2 & #4 are false but would sort of explain why he stated them (misdirection). This is the one I'd want to be true, but it assumes the most guile out of Trump, and also doesn't make sense because NAFTA is up for review in 2026 anyway, so it would make more sense to just renegotiate during that window. By doing it this way, he seems to be damaging relationships with trading partners and causing mistrust, which is not conductive to free trade.

4) To raise revenue to fund tax cuts. He specifically said tariffs will make the US rich again. This would mean #1, & #3 are false because he's not using the tariffs to negotiate. Also #2 would be false because if manufacturing were truly brought back to the US, then the tariffs wouldn't be generating much revenue as there would be little importing. Tax cuts are the standard Republican MO, but this still doesn't explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing etc.

5) To disrupt the US's standing with the rest of the world, strengthen ties with Russia, or cause a stock market crash so that the wealthy can buy up the stocks at discount. Basically Krasnov theory... I don't believe its his true goal, but some of it may end up being unintended consequences. It would explain the erratic back and forth on/off with the tariffs fwiw.


Notice that pretty much all of these theories (except for maybe #5) must be mutually exclusive for them to truly fulfill their stated purpose.

So which one do you think is the true motive behind the tariffs?

 

[Belaya Smert]

Destabilize pre-existing trade agreements and tank economy so the rebuild looks amazing on paper while bullying foreign government and its leaders to go back to the negotiating table?

 

[avenue94]

I'm reminded most of the Glass Onion. Sometimes rich and powerful people really are just that stupid.

 

[HOLA]

#5.

 

[Fox by the Sea]

A new American emancipation. I see it as deeply ideological and not that much numbers based. t could be great for America long term. Don't listen to these neurotic losers that measure any indicator daily and always fail to see the bigger picture.

Number 5 is retarded. come on with this mickey mouse reddit shit.

 

[CantCucktheTuck]

bring back manufacturing in specific sectors.

 

[BFoe]

Destabilize pre-existing trade agreements and tank economy so the rebuild looks amazing on paper while bullying foreign government and its leaders to go back to the negotiating table?

Agree, except it’s not just to make the rebuild look amazing, it’s so billionaires like Trump, Musk, and company can buy up one of stock, property, etc. and control even more shit and be even wealthier.

They’re crashing the economy on purpose to buy as much as they can at bargain basement prices.

 

[filthybliss]

A new American emancipation. I see it as deeply ideological and not that much numbers based. t could be great for America long term. Don't listen to these neurotic losers that measure any indicator daily and always fail to see the bigger picture.

Number 5 is retarded. come on with this mickey mouse reddit shit.

A 4chan user shitting on reddit is peak comedy. But yeah, this is massive copium. Where was the patience with inflation under Biden? It is like yall have excuses ready for Trump when the data doesn't support your narrative. Biden left Trump with a very low unemployment rate too so these tariffs are reactionary based on his declaration.

The idealogical arguement is even more moronic. He got Mexico to do what they generally do with diplomatic requests in regards to border security so those tariffs were pointless. I know some Canadian MAGAts have a Trumpistan torture kink but tariffs and threatening annexation is unjustified in every dimension when we could have ushered more bilateral border security with simple negotiations on that front. Additionally, villanizing NATO and Europe when they literally sent their own troops for the War on Terror for us based on complete lies is total bullshit too.

 

[Voodoo_Child906]

In order:

2, 3 ,4, 1, 5

It's never only 1 reason.

 

[Sweater of AV]

6) Winning Bigly

 

[Jar of Flies]

It makes him feel like a big man.

 

[therealdope]

Leverage to renegotiate/refinance the $10trillion in debt that comes due in the next 6months.

 

[Deaths Head]

These are the main tariff theories I've seen, but none of them fully make sense and even the reasons that Trump himself gave are incompatible with each other:


1) To combat Security Risks. It's what he said regarding Fentanyl. Might make sense for Mexico or possibly China, but makes no sense that he's also tariffing countries like Australia or Canada, and he hasn't even stated what specific demands he wants fulfilled to remove the tariffs.

2) To bring back manufacturing to the US. He also gave this as a reason, and if true it would mean what he said about #1 above is not true. But if this is his goal, it makes no sense to use blanket tariffs instead of targeting specific industries, and it doesn't explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing the tariffs instead of just laying out his plan.

3) To negotiate better trade deals. This would maybe explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing tariffs. It would mean that what he said in #1 #2 & #4 are false but would sort of explain why he stated them (misdirection). This is the one I'd want to be true, but it assumes the most guile out of Trump, and also doesn't make sense because NAFTA is up for review in 2026 anyway, so it would make more sense to just renegotiate during that window. By doing it this way, he seems to be damaging relationships with trading partners and causing mistrust, which is not conductive to free trade.

4) To raise revenue to fund tax cuts. He specifically said tariffs will make the US rich again. This would mean #1, & #3 are false because he's not using the tariffs to negotiate. Also #2 would be false because if manufacturing were truly brought back to the US, then the tariffs wouldn't be generating much revenue as there would be little importing. Tax cuts are the standard Republican MO, but this still doesn't explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing etc.

5) To disrupt the US's standing with the rest of the world, strengthen ties with Russia, or cause a stock market crash so that the wealthy can buy up the stocks at discount. Basically Krasnov theory... I don't believe its his true goal, but some of it may end up being unintended consequences. It would explain the erratic back and forth on/off with the tariffs fwiw.


Notice that pretty much all of these theories (except for maybe #5) must be mutually exclusive for them to truly fulfill their stated purpose.

So which one do you think is the true motive behind the tariffs?

None of the above .

He doesn’t know how Tarriffs work and he’s got an autistic guy with money advising him as well on business decisions and where to cut the budget .

Number 5 is just a give me he’s doing that using Ukraine .

 

[EL CORINTHIAN]

It would be easier to order these if we understood the geopolitical realignment we are seeing unfold and why.

I don't have those answers but it seems obvious America is getting ready to take on China in the near future.

 

[Andy Capp]

These are the main tariff theories I've seen, but none of them fully make sense and even the reasons that Trump himself gave are incompatible with each other:


1) To combat Security Risks. It's what he said regarding Fentanyl. Might make sense for Mexico or possibly China, but makes no sense that he's also tariffing countries like Australia or Canada, and he hasn't even stated what specific demands he wants fulfilled to remove the tariffs.

2) To bring back manufacturing to the US. He also gave this as a reason, and if true it would mean what he said about #1 above is not true. But if this is his goal, it makes no sense to use blanket tariffs instead of targeting specific industries, and it doesn't explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing the tariffs instead of just laying out his plan.

3) To negotiate better trade deals. This would maybe explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing tariffs. It would mean that what he said in #1 #2 & #4 are false but would sort of explain why he stated them (misdirection). This is the one I'd want to be true, but it assumes the most guile out of Trump, and also doesn't make sense because NAFTA is up for review in 2026 anyway, so it would make more sense to just renegotiate during that window. By doing it this way, he seems to be damaging relationships with trading partners and causing mistrust, which is not conductive to free trade.

4) To raise revenue to fund tax cuts. He specifically said tariffs will make the US rich again. This would mean #1, & #3 are false because he's not using the tariffs to negotiate. Also #2 would be false because if manufacturing were truly brought back to the US, then the tariffs wouldn't be generating much revenue as there would be little importing. Tax cuts are the standard Republican MO, but this still doesn't explain why he keeps going back and forth pausing/unpausing etc.

5) To disrupt the US's standing with the rest of the world, strengthen ties with Russia, or cause a stock market crash so that the wealthy can buy up the stocks at discount. Basically Krasnov theory... I don't believe its his true goal, but some of it may end up being unintended consequences. It would explain the erratic back and forth on/off with the tariffs fwiw.


Notice that pretty much all of these theories (except for maybe #5) must be mutually exclusive for them to truly fulfill their stated purpose.

So which one do you think is the true motive behind the tariffs?

#6
Trump has allied himself with America's enemies and is doing everything he can to damage its allies.

 

[Andy Capp]

It would be easier to order these if we understood the geopolitical realignment we are seeing unfold and why.

I don't have those answers but it seems obvious America is getting ready to take on China in the near future.

If by take on you mean sell out to, then I agree.

 

[avenue94]

A new American emancipation. I see it as deeply ideological and not that much numbers based. t could be great for America long term. Don't listen to these neurotic losers that measure any indicator daily and always fail to see the bigger picture.

Number 5 is retarded. come on with this mickey mouse reddit shit.

Emancipation from what? Cheaper goods that consumers like?

bring back manufacturing in specific sectors.

Which specific sectors?

Leverage to renegotiate/refinance the $10trillion in debt that comes due in the next 6months.

Right...because Canada has a huge role in US debt lol

 

[wlu.29]

Leverage to renegotiate/refinance the $10trillion in debt that comes due in the next 6months.

Why all the red herring about fentanyl?

 

[terrapin]

It's none of the above.

But all of them make sense when you understand Trump's true motivation in life.

Trump's primary motivation whether he's promoting policy, whether he's doing a television, show an interview, a debate or anything else in his life is to sow chaos hatred and division.

Trump is a sower of chaos, hatred and division because he's so morally, despicable and evil and feels that way all the time within himself, his motive is always to spread hatred, chaos, and division.

Once you understand Trump in this way, everything he does makes perfect sense even when those things seem to contradict each other or his stated goals..... because you understand the primary underlying motive.

I would say secondary motives for him are to deeply harm certain specific people (deeply related to his primary motives) to get richer himself or to become more popular or look better himself. I think those are his secondary motives.

So with Canada and Mexico and other world allies he gets to hurt people that he hates and he hates them because he's not their equal and he cannot exist in relationship with them without revealing himself to be a despicable base inferior human being. Trump hates all of our allies world leaders for the same reason. He has seething hatred for them because he will forever feel inferior and broken and will do everything he can to harm people he sees and resets as better than him.

His general move towards allying with strong men, dictators and thugs is because he feels more at home and more in good company around them and less intimidated by them. They themselves also being despicable people.


Trump's place is as a shyster car salesman, dishonest land developer or real estate mogul and the runner of various scams and cons. He's a powerful guy but that's his lane.

He should have never been put into the office of presidency. He has no place there and he is completely and utterly unfit to be there.

 

[TheGreatA]

The main reason in my opinion is for Trump to set the table as a "tough negotiator" who's willing to do this kind of stuff on a whim if he doesn't get his way.

He needed to set some examples in order for the rest of the world to get the point. I guess he figured he'd get away with it if he did it to Canada and Mexico.