The Bulldozer’s Take on Trump’s Tariffs: How Trade Wars Crushed the Global Economy (And My Wallet)
Yo, let me tell you something about tariffs—those sneaky little taxes on imports that politicians love to throw around like confetti at a parade. Back when Trump was in the White House, he went full wrecking ball on trade, slapping tariffs left and right like he was playing whack-a-mole with the global economy. And let me tell ya, the fallout was *messy*.
Now, I’m just a guy who used to swing a hammer for a living, but even I know that when you start taxing foreign goods, things get complicated real quick. Trump’s whole shtick was “America First,” which sounded great until you realized it meant higher prices at Walmart and pissed-off trading partners. So grab your hard hat, because we’re about to dig into the rubble of his tariff war—what it aimed to do, who got crushed, and why my student loans still ain’t paid off.
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The Blueprint: What Trump’s Tariffs Were Supposed to Do

Trump wasn’t just slapping tariffs for fun (okay, maybe a little). He had a plan—or at least, that’s what he told us. His big three goals were:

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The Collateral Damage: Who Got Buried Under the Trade War?

Sheesh, where do I even start?
– Consumers – You think tariffs only hurt foreign companies? Nah, bro. Those extra costs got passed straight to *you*. That $1,000 washing machine? Now it’s $1,200. Thanks, Uncle Sam.
– Farmers – China retaliated by slapping tariffs on U.S. soybeans, and suddenly farmers were stuck with mountains of unsold crops. The government had to bail them out with billions—money that could’ve gone to, I dunno, fixing roads?
– Stock Markets – Investors hate uncertainty, and Trump’s tariffs sent Wall Street on a rollercoaster. One day he’s tweeting about new taxes, the next day stocks are plunging. My 401(k) still hasn’t recovered.
And let’s not forget Hollywood—Trump even threatened *100% tariffs* on foreign films, blaming them for “killing American cinema.” Yeah, because *that’s* why ticket sales are down. Not the $15 popcorn.
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The Aftermath: Did Any of This Actually Work?

Short answer? Not really.
– Trade Deficit? Still Huge. – The U.S. trade gap with China *grew* during Trump’s presidency. Oops.
– Jobs? Meh. – Some factories reopened, but automation meant fewer workers than expected. Plus, the higher costs hurt more industries than they helped.
– Global Reputation? Trashed. – Allies like Europe and Canada started cutting deals *without* the U.S., leaving us looking like the grumpy old man yelling at clouds.
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Final Nail in the Coffin: What’s Left of Trump’s Tariff Legacy?

Look, I’m no economist (just a guy drowning in student debt), but here’s the deal: tariffs are a blunt tool. Sure, they *feel* tough, but the real winners are usually lobbyists and politicians—not regular folks like you and me.
Trump’s trade war proved one thing: when you start tearing down global supply chains, everyone gets hurt. Prices go up, jobs disappear, and the little guy (yeah, that’s us) pays the bill.
So next time a politician promises to “fix trade” with tariffs, ask yourself: *Who’s really footing the bill?*
Cleanup complete, folks. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a student loan payment to ignore. 🚜💥