After weeks of thundering about the inevitability of a trade war, Trump changes course. But only partially. And in doing so, he makes a fool of himself.
THE EDITORIAL — He Seemed Unshakeable, Bent on Leading His Tariff Crusade Like a Holy War Against the Injustices of Global Trade. And Yet, Here’s the U-Turn.
Donald Trump has announced the immediate suspension of tariffs for 90 days… for everyone except China. A concession disguised as strategy, but it reeks more of confusion than calculation.
While more than 75 countries — according to Trump himself — have asked to sit at the negotiating table and secured a reduced tariff rate of “just” 10%, Beijing received a very different message: tariffs hiked to 125%, effective immediately. It’s as if the former president put his trade war machine in neutral, while still flooring the gas pedal toward China. The result? A half-baked, contradictory maneuver that smacks of improvisation.
The statements published on Truth Social speak for themselves: “These countries […] upon my strong recommendation, have in no way retaliated against the United States.” In other words, the Trump doctrine rewards submission and punishes resistance. But is this really the posture to adopt on the global chessboard?
In a previous editorial, we wrote: Trump is not bluffing. He’s using tariffs as a power play — but he’ll end up hurting his own people. And that’s exactly what’s happening. Because when the man at the helm changes course with each tweet, the result is always the same: chaos.
This isn’t a passing storm. It’s a change of season — and what we need are capable, competent, authoritative leaders. Instead, we find ourselves commenting on yet another theatrical stunt, while China — far from naïve — is already preparing its countermeasures. And Europe? It watches, waits, hopes. But hope is not a strategy, especially when our industrial future is at stake.
In the 1930s, the United States believed tariffs would save them. In reality, they plunged into the Great Depression. Today, history risks repeating itself, with a main character who seems blind to its consequences. And real America — the one that works and builds — will end up footing the bill.
Trump made a spectacle of himself. But laughing it off would be a mistake. Because behind this blunder lies a much bigger truth: the world is changing, and those who aren’t ready to negotiate seriously will be the ones left behind.
ARTICLE ALSO AVAILABLE IN ITALIAN: Trump inciampa sui dazi: retromarcia (quasi) totale, ma con la Cina al 125%
For readers who prefer the original version, this article is also available in Italian.
