Does Trump Really Think He Can Win A Trade War With China?

[ElChupacabra]

The Chinese communists have a long, well documented history of protectionist tariffs, import restrictions, and government endorsed theft of IP. The US didn't start a trade war, the Trump administration finally took action against China's trade abuses.

Sure, and there are ways of negotiating trade that don't involve losing trillions in market share, destabilizing the bond market, and making investment in the US questionable. I think the problem for the administration is actually being able to do anything about the issues you mentioned, because they had a chance at this during Trump's first term and generally failed.

As President Trump frequently points out, there is no blaming the Chinese for exploiting Uncle Sucker's weaknesses. It's yet another reminder of his focus on problem solving rather than engaging in Democrat favorite pastimes of blame shifting and revisionist history.

He hasn't solved any problems, and actually created new ones. As I mentioned in another post, if he were really interested in tackling the Chinese, he could have partnered with the EU to address both US and EU issues with Chinese trade. The Chinese would understand the leverage that combination has, and that might have been more formidable. Instead, Trump decided to go it alone and hobble US leverage by also waging a tariff war on a host of other nations as well. Some of those nations are now negotiating with China in order to soften the impact from US tariffs.

Investing into green energy? Tax subsidies aren't investments. They are gifts to the well connected.

So I guess that's a "no"?

Glad you are finally recognizing Biden lifting trade restrictions was a net benefit to the Chinese.

I never failed to recognize it, because all of our trade is a net benefit to the Chinese. The difference is I don't revise history to forget how we got in this situation to begin with.

The question is a crude attempt to deflect attention from Biden’s imperial command lifting trade sanctions in service to the Chinese.

Not at all. It's to focus on the mistakes that got us here, because some people can only blame the reaction and not the actual cause.

Taking refuge in hyperbole only confirms your desperation.

Well, based on your premise that trade with China benefits them, it's not hyperbole at all. So I'll assume you have not been benefitting the Chinese because you do not buy any products made there, or perhaps not.

The speed of China's retaliatory tariffs shows their concern Trump's policies threaten their predatory trade practices.

Does it? Based on what?

 

[ElChupacabra]

Reciprocal tariffs and trade restrictions aren't a wall or mercantilism. Pity Democrats and never Trumper Republicans can't stop wallowing in Orange Man Bad long enough to recognize Chinese exploitation of status quo trade arrangements.

Sure they are, when applied broadly and without strategy. What is the net benefit of tariffs on products the US is not trying to protect? We're not going to grow bananas or coffee here, so why are we imposing tariffs on these products? We can't expect poorer nations to buy as much as or more than we buy from them, so what's the play here?

President Trump is working to achieve equitable trade agreements with the Chinese and with Greenland and the Ukraine to establish alternative sources of rare earth minerals. But the Orange Man Bad zealots only see their hatred even when it helps advance Chinese dictators.

That's fine, but we come back to the main question: were the tariffs necessary when no other approach was attempted first. You typically don't punch someone in the face because you want to talk to them, right?

This question is suprising given what I have written. Private US green energy companies will compete with China incorporated once a fair market is established at least in the US market.

How effective at competition will they be when the Chinese are far better established as a green energy product producer?

Why the opposition if you believe the US won't be competitive?

I'm not opposed to the US finally getting in the game, the problem is we're way behind.

Fair competition is the heart of capitalism. It's the driver of superior products for less cost.

Sure, though the US has caused its own bit of mayhem with distributing products it subsidizes. Lest we forget flooding the Mexican market with subsidized, cheap corn during NAFTA which decimated their subsistence farmers and caused a massive immigration surge to the US in the 90s.

It's incredibly naive to believe the Chinese will be reliable suppliers when the US energy sector depends on them.

Now thanks to this administration, the US is also viewed through this lens. As for the Chinese, they are also dependent on the US since we are a major market. The problem now is they're moving away from that dependency so we're falling more and more into paper tiger category.

Biden lifting trade restrictions paved the way for China to continue dumping green energy equipment in the US market. That kept domestic manufacturing from developing.

It's a bit comical you see Biden's actions as some kind of pivotal action when China's green energy market is global. You are right about Chinese products making it hard for US companies to compete, but the other headwinds this industry faces is a nation not very interested in green energy.

Reciprocal trade policies aren't whinging. Opposing fair trade by proclaiming China is eternally dominant is whinging.

 

[EnigmaO01]

No one including Mr. Trump (I suspect) knows what Mr. Trump is "thinking". However China will win this trade war by tanking the US economy which is why Mr. Trump will escalate it to a military conflict out of frustration, a lack of time and in an attempt to divert responsibility for Mr. Trump's tariff folly. Same with Iran for different reasons. Mr. Trump is hopefully a temporary authoritarian but Xi and the Iranian mullahs are long-term authoritarian dictators. War is coming and it's coming fast.

Evilroddy.

Always the drama queen you are.

 

[AZRWinger]

Sure, and there are ways of negotiating trade that don't involve losing trillions in market share, destabilizing the bond market, and making investment in the US questionable. I think the problem for the administration is actually being able to do anything about the issues you mentioned, because they had a chance at this during Trump's first term and generally failed.

Bond yields shift in reaction to ever changing economic outlook. The changes aren't signs of destabilization.

Selective tariffs were used in Trump's first term to force the Chinese into a Phase 1 trade agreement which the Biden regime ignored out of Orange Man Bad delirium.

He hasn't solved any problems, and actually created new ones. As I mentioned in another post, if he were really interested in tackling the Chinese, he could have partnered with the EU to address both US and EU issues with Chinese trade. The Chinese would understand the leverage that combination has, and that might have been more formidable. Instead, Trump decided to go it alone and hobble US leverage by also waging a tariff war on a host of other nations as well. Some of those nations are now negotiating with China in order to soften the impact from US tariffs.

Partnered with the EU bureaucrats to do nothing. Biden promised to bring our allies along with his diplomatic skills accomplishing nothing.

Biden kept almost all the tariffs in place from the Trump administration. Somehow he didn't think they hobbled US leverage but you know better.

Trump institited sweeping reforms impacting the full range of US trade partners. That's not war it's reform.

So I guess that's a "no"?

Another cartoon response

I never failed to recognize it, because all of our trade is a net benefit to the Chinese. The difference is I don't revise history to forget how we got in this situation to begin with.

No you're just obsessed with blame shifting and expanding dependence on the Chinese.

Even if we ignore long term Chinese trade abuses that still leaves you advocating for Uncle Sucker foreign policy where the US has no option but subservience to China. Great call.

Not at all. It's to focus on the mistakes that got us here, because some people can only blame the reaction and not the actual cause.

The actual cause is China's abusive trade practices. The WTO, charged with protecting fair markets insists China with the world's 2nd largest economy is a developing nation and so can enact protective tariffs to "protect" its domestic markets. Sorry, Trump has nothing to do with Chinese domestic market regulation.

Well, based on your premise that trade with China benefits them, it's not hyperbole at all. So I'll assume you have not been benefitting the Chinese because you do not buy any products made there, or perhaps not.

My premise is that passively accepting Chinese rigging the green energy equipment market using monopolistic and protectionist policies is dangerous for the US. You seem to be convinced placing the green energy segment of our energy supply in Chinese hands is a good thing.

Does it? Based on what?

If as you claim the tariffs aren't going to work the Chinese wouldn't have reacted so swiftly with retaliation.

 

[ElChupacabra]

Bond yields shift in reaction to ever changing economic outlook. The changes aren't signs of destabilization.

In this case they are because the sell of has been due to faith being lost in the stability of the US economy. Between the tariffs and the fallout from them, there are serious questions about where the US economy will be in the next year or two. This has been further backed by the less than stellar prediction from Powell today.

Selective tariffs were used in Trump's first term to force the Chinese into a Phase 1 trade agreement which the Biden regime ignored out of Orange Man Bad delirium.

How did those tariffs work out during Donnie Boy's first go around?

Partnered with the EU bureaucrats to do nothing. Biden promised to bring our allies along with his diplomatic skills accomplishing nothing.

How well do you think losing the leverage of other trading partners will work out?

Biden kept almost all the tariffs in place from the Trump administration. Somehow he didn't think they hobbled US leverage but you know better.

Sure, but those are specific tariffs, which have a purpose. No one is saying tariffs aren't a tool, but they're not a tool that fixes everything and that's the way this president is using them.

Trump institited sweeping reforms impacting the full range of US trade partners. That's not war it's reform.

When you threaten and act before negotiating, you're starting a conflict.

Another cartoon response

Seems fitting for a cartoon premise.

No you're just obsessed with blame shifting and expanding dependence on the Chinese.

Not at all. You seem to have a the same zero sum game deficiency that afflicts the MAGAverse. There's plenty to address with China, but to handle it this way is the dumbest way possible as we're learning from the market fall out, which includes the very companies we're trying to court here.

Even if we ignore long term Chinese trade abuses that still leaves you advocating for Uncle Sucker foreign policy where the US has no option but subservience to China. Great call.

You may whinge to your heart's content, but the truth is China has the upper hand, so not dealing with them is idiotic.

The actual cause is China's abusive trade practices. The WTO, charged with protecting fair markets insists China with the world's 2nd largest economy is a developing nation and so can enact protective tariffs to "protect" its domestic markets. Sorry, Trump has nothing to do with Chinese domestic market regulation.

Sure, and those are all issues to address. The question is whether you do that the smart way or the Trump way.

My premise is that passively accepting Chinese rigging the green energy equipment market using monopolistic and protectionist policies is dangerous for the US. You seem to be convinced placing the green energy segment of our energy supply in Chinese hands is a good thing.

I am glad you're finally on board with green energy.

If as you claim the tariffs aren't going to work the Chinese wouldn't have reacted so swiftly with retaliation.

That's a pretty broad correlation you've made. A part of their response is a political one as well. What I'd be more concerned about is their quick response and willingness to cut off key resources and products indicates they fancy their chances.

 

[AZRWinger]

In this case they are because the sell of has been due to faith being lost in the stability of the US economy. Between the tariffs and the fallout from them, there are serious questions about where the US economy will be in the next year or two. This has been further backed by the less than stellar prediction from Powell today.

YTD the Dow is down a bit under 8% and the S&P is down a bit under 10%. Neither change is unusual for the markets. The only instability is in Democrat talking points.

How did those tariffs work out during Donnie Boy's first go around?

As pointed out earlier they yielded a phase 1 trade agreement with China. The Biden regime kept the tariffs while ignoring the Chinese treaty violations.

How well do you think losing the leverage of other trading partners will work out?

What evidence do you have other countries will risk a loss of access to US markets by an alliance with China? Pandering to the delicate sensitivities of our trading partners produced a record high trade deficit in 2024. Democrats are so invested in Orange Man Bad they fight against reforms.

Sure, but those are specific tariffs, which have a purpose. No one is saying tariffs aren't a tool, but they're not a tool that fixes everything and that's the way this president is using them.

President Trump is using tarriffs as a tool to spur negotiations. Kim Jung Biden ignored phase 1 agreement violations and lifted green energy equipment trade restrictions on the Chinese as an expression of his Uncle Sucker America Last subservience to the Chinese.

When you threaten and act before negotiating, you're starting a conflict.

As has been pointed out repeatedly the Trump administration has negotiated before taking action. The tariffs have spurred many nations to come to the bargaining table, something they didn't do before.

Seems fitting for a cartoon premise.


Not at all. You seem to have a the same zero sum game deficiency that afflicts the MAGAverse. There's plenty to address with China, but to handle it this way is the dumbest way possible as we're learning from the market fall out, which includes the very companies we're trying to court here.

Ooh game theory followed by insult catoonish.

You may whinge to your heart's content, but the truth is China has the upper hand, so not dealing with them is idiotic.

There we go, trot out the false claim the Trump administration is not willing to negotiate as cover for the Democrat policy of subservience to China.

Sure, and those are all issues to address. The question is whether you do that the smart way or the Trump way.

The "smart way" produced a record US trade deficit in 2024. Certainly we should listen to the advice of those advocating Chinese dominance over green energy.

I am glad you're finally on board with green energy.

Kindly cite my comments in opposition to green energy. I argue in favor of reforming of our trade agreements to create a fair environment for domestic green energy equipment manufacturing.

That's a pretty broad correlation you've made. A part of their response is a political one as well. What I'd be more concerned about is their quick response and willingness to cut off key resources and products indicates they fancy their chances.

The Chinese are known for their deliberate action over a long timeline. Their uncharacteristically quick reaction to Trump's reforms indicates they think the action is a serious threat.

 

[ElChupacabra]

YTD the Dow is down a bit under 8% and the S&P is down a bit under 10%. Neither change is unusual for the markets. The only instability is in Democrat talking points.

Oh not at all. Donnie Boy blamed Harris for a minor correction that was far less than the losses he's caused, and he blamed her for a correction that had nothing to do with the policy of the administration. This dive is directly caused by policy.

As pointed out earlier they yielded a phase 1 trade agreement with China. The Biden regime kept the tariffs while ignoring the Chinese treaty violations.

Again, there are was of dealing with China that don't require the US putting on this kind of idiotic show.

What evidence do you have other countries will risk a loss of access to US markets by an alliance with China? Pandering to the delicate sensitivities of our trading partners produced a record high trade deficit in 2024. Democrats are so invested in Orange Man Bad they fight against reforms.

The big tell has been the dumping of bonds. What Trump has done is proven a tariff model that lacks strategy and is driven impulsively, which is why the US is now a riskier proposition. He has chosen to make tariffs a broad tool to use to get what he wants, and that unpredictability isn't good for business.

President Trump is using tarriffs as a tool to spur negotiations. Kim Jung Biden ignored phase 1 agreement violations and lifted green energy equipment trade restrictions on the Chinese as an expression of his Uncle Sucker America Last subservience to the Chinese.

Sorry, this is daft. Had there been negotiations prior, then the use of tariffs to spur negotiations makes sense. There's a cost to starting with confrontation first, and the pull back from the US is the price we're going to have to pay. Much like the pandemic raised questions about our reliance on China for goods, this will question the reliance on the US as a pillar of economic stability. That's already broken.

As has been pointed out repeatedly the Trump administration has negotiated before taking action. The tariffs have spurred many nations to come to the bargaining table, something they didn't do before.

Oh it did? Please cite the outcome of those negotiations since they appear to have happened in secret. Did he negotiate with all of the countries listed on his chart?

Ooh game theory followed by insult catoonish.

 

[ElChupacabra]

There we go, trot out the false claim the Trump administration is not willing to negotiate as cover for the Democrat policy of subservience to China.

No, it's pointing out the Trump administration not willing to negotiate, as well as pointing out that China is the world's second largest economy, so we will have to deal with them in one form or another. They aren't some rogue, isolated nation. They are well established in the global market place.

The "smart way" produced a record US trade deficit in 2024. Certainly we should listen to the advice of those advocating Chinese dominance over green energy.

What does Trump offer? All of his actions have isolated the US because he chose to expand his tariff scheme across US trading partners. As for your comment about Chinese dominance over green energy, I haven't advocated it, but am pointing out that is the fact of the matter. If you want to think it isn't, that's on you.

Kindly cite my comments in opposition to green energy. I argue in favor of reforming of our trade agreements to create a fair environment for domestic green energy equipment manufacturing.

It's posts like these that make it hard to think you're a green energy proponent:

Don't worry, the Chinese have put too much $ into the Biden crime family to go to war with them. In fact Biden dumped tariffs on green energy windmills and solar panels just in time for the Democrats to saddle taxpayers with subsidizing them in the inflation reduction spending orgy. China makes around 80% of these so-called green energy producing devices, sure that's just a coincidence.

For us to get green energy rolling to compete with China, we're likely going to have to give companies some incentives, because China provides the natural resources to make many of the components for this kind of hardware and has most of the supply chains.

The Chinese are known for their deliberate action over a long timeline. Their uncharacteristically quick reaction to Trump's reforms indicates they think the action is a serious threat.

That doesn't mean they don't react quickly. They had to act in an attempt to put pressure on the US to change course.

 

[PIPEWRENCH]

Now we have to make sure those migrants are properly vetted before we turn them loose to find work and prosperity in our country.

This should have been made a law a long time ago. Then the we would not have had the democrats bringing criminals into our country and making them citizens so they could terrorize the American people. I still can't for the life of me figure out why our congress and senate are not working on this right now. Legal immigration of law abiding people clearly have made this country great. Criminals sneaking into our country with no respect for our laws do not. They are a burden on our society like a pandemic.

I do feel kind of sheepish having just bought four dog booties from China for $22.
Could not find a comparable product for my dog's paws domestically.

Hopefully with these tariffs one day you will have a choice to buy an American made product like my ancestors and I did in the past.

The price from China has not yet increased.

I could care less about China. I still look for American made products. I still buy most of my produce and meat from local farmers who do not need to employ illegal immigrants. I can still afford cotton clothing even though slavery was abolished and the same can be done with food. The lefty lie that we cannot afford to eat without illegal immigration is the same lie we heard about needing slaves to pick cotton. It was not true then and their current lies are just as ridiculous.

 

[SCrider]

There is lots of waste and inefficiencies in our government. Anyone who has dealt with our government is more than aware of this.

I will wait and see if a president and our congress encouraging business to return instead of leave is the right way to get them back.


The money from those tariffs will be used to by the Federal Government to pay our bills. Please.


How Americans are they employing? Oh they are employing Chinese people. Those companies putting China first can take a back seat to American Companies employing American citizens and legal immigrants making products here in America that we can start buying again.

Pipe dream of the cult.

 

[Tamuro]

Trump: “China is bad. Tariff them so we can bring jobs back to the US!”

Also Trump: “Hey all my disciples, buy my MAGA apparel all made in…cough cough…China.” “Oh, my daughter’s garbage too. Also made in China.”


Reminds me of when John Kerry said the same bullshit when he ran. “Bring jobs back to the US!” Meanwhile his wife “Mrs Heinz” make their products in China.

 

[jaypatriot]

Sure, and there are ways of negotiating trade that don't involve losing trillions in market share, destabilizing the bond market, and making investment in the US questionable. I think the problem for the administration is actually being able to do anything about the issues you mentioned, because they had a chance at this during Trump's first term and generally failed.


He hasn't solved any problems, and actually created new ones. As I mentioned in another post, if he were really interested in tackling the Chinese, he could have partnered with the EU to address both US and EU issues with Chinese trade. The Chinese would understand the leverage that combination has, and that might have been more formidable. Instead, Trump decided to go it alone and hobble US leverage by also waging a tariff war on a host of other nations as well. Some of those nations are now negotiating with China in order to soften the impact from US tariffs.


So I guess that's a "no"?



I never failed to recognize it, because all of our trade is a net benefit to the Chinese. The difference is I don't revise history to forget how we got in this situation to begin with.


Not at all. It's to focus on the mistakes that got us here, because some people can only blame the reaction and not the actual cause.


Well, based on your premise that trade with China benefits them, it's not hyperbole at all. So I'll assume you have not been benefitting the Chinese because you do not buy any products made there, or perhaps not.



Does it? Based on what?

You seem to disagree entirely with

Trump: “China is bad. Tariff them so we can bring jobs back to the US!”

Also Trump: “Hey all my disciples, buy my MAGA apparel all made in…cough cough…China.” “Oh, my daughter’s garbage too. Also made in China.”


Reminds me of when John Kerry said the same bullshit when he ran. “Bring jobs back to the US!” Meanwhile his wife “Mrs Heinz” make their products in China.

Kerry, the perfect Liberal culprit, preaching climate change fears and flying around in a private jet spewing fossil fuel emissions all over the atmosphere. What a perfect representative for climate change advocacy.

 

[Tamuro]

You seem to disagree entirely with

Kerry, the perfect Liberal culprit, preaching climate change fears and flying around in a private jet spewing fossil fuel emissions all over the atmosphere. What a perfect representative for climate change advocacy.

You missed the point. They both claim to want jobs brought back to America. While simultaneously making their products in China. Kind of contradicting wouldn’t say?

And they don’t make electric planes. So not a very good point you made there in regards to climate change advocates. People still need to conduct business and travel.

 

[jaypatriot]

This should have been made a law a long time ago. Then the we would not have had the democrats bringing criminals into our country and making them citizens so they could terrorize the American people. I still can't for the life of me figure out why our congress and senate are not working on this right now. Legal immigration of law abiding people clearly have made this country great. Criminals sneaking into our country with no respect for our laws do not. They are a burden on our society like a pandemic.

Hopefully with these tariffs one day you will have a choice to buy an American made product like my ancestors and I did in the past.

I could care less about China. I still look for American made products. I still buy most of my produce and meat from local farmers who do not need to employ illegal immigrants. I can still afford cotton clothing even though slavery was abolished and the same can be done with food. The lefty lie that we cannot afford to eat without illegal immigration is the same lie we heard about needing slaves to pick cotton. It was not true then and their current lies are just as ridiculous.

Since I don't drive a lot; or eat and buy stuff a lot; I tend to agree with your philosophy

You missed the point. They both claim to want jobs brought back to America. While simultaneously making their products in China. Kind of contradicting wouldn’t say?

And they don’t make electric planes. So not a very good point you made there in regards to climate change advocates. People still need to conduct business and travel.

You're right. And people like John Kerry, a climate change zealot, could fly first class in a commercial jet, thereby minimizing the amount of atmospheric pollutants spewed into the air by his private jet.

 

[Tamuro]

Since I don't drive a lot; or eat and buy stuff a lot; I tend to agree with your philosophy

You're right. And people like John Kerry, a climate change zealot, could fly first class in a commercial jet, thereby minimizing the amount of atmospheric pollutants spewed into the air by his private jet.

I see you had absolutely no problem jumping in on Kerry and turning it into a climate issue. But not a single word about Trump and his daughter making all their trash in China.

So you’re just another partisan hack then?

 

[Helix]

It's economic sabotage and isolation. Look who benefits from that, and there's your answer.

 

[jaypatriot]

I see you had absolutely no problem jumping in on Kerry and turning it into a climate issue. But not a single word about Trump and his daughter making all their trash in China.

So you’re just another partisan hack then?

Show me evidence Ivanka Trump's products avoid the high tariffs coming into this country from China.

 

[Tamuro]

Show me evidence Ivanka Trump's products avoid the high tariffs coming into this country from China.

Ok, comprehension is a problem for you I see.

1: Show me where I said anything of the sort.

2: WTF does that have anything to do with my point about Trump putting tariffs on China because he wants to bring business back to the US. While both he and Ivanka have all their products made there. It’s hypocritical.

3: Way to completely sidestep me calling you out for ripping into Kerry while not ripping into Trump. That’s why I asked if you’re just another partisan hack. Or should I have asked if you’re just another MAGA sheep?

 

[PIPEWRENCH]

Pipe dream of the cult.

Excellent rebuttal.

 

[PIPEWRENCH]

Since I don't drive a lot; or eat and buy stuff a lot; I tend to agree with your philosophy

I on the other hand buy a lot of food and products. Of course I get most of the food at half price or less. I got a 21 lb. turkey for free from our grocery store. Almost everything I purchased to get enough points for the turkey was on sale and digital coupons. Basically 1/2 price. I bought two 7 bone whole prime rib roast at $5.99 lb. I do the same with tools and most everything I buy.

You're right. And people like John Kerry, a climate change zealot, could fly first class in a commercial jet, thereby minimizing the amount of atmospheric pollutants spewed into the air by his private jet.

So true. the people talking green usually have the highest carbon foot print. It is hilarious and pathetic at the same time.

 

[CaughtInThe]

 

[jaypatriot]

Ok, comprehension is a problem for you I see.

1: Show me where I said anything of the sort.

2: WTF does that have anything to do with my point about Trump putting tariffs on China because he wants to bring business back to the US. While both he and Ivanka have all their products made there. It’s hypocritical.

3: Way to completely sidestep me calling you out for ripping into Kerry while not ripping into Trump. That’s why I asked if you’re just another partisan hack. Or should I have asked if you’re just another MAGA sheep?

I see you are a new member to DP who hasn't yet learned to be polite.

 

[Tamuro]

I see you are a new member to DP who hasn't yet learned to be polite.

Been following for a lot longer than my sign up date. My signup date is irrelevant. Don’t dodge questions or topics. If you’re going to be a partisan hack, then expect to be called out on it. If you’re going to be a hypocrite, expect to be called out on it. Your failure to address what I asked backs up my assessment of you.

 

[bomberfox]

The only thing i can think of with the Trump administration is they are trying to collapse America. The attacks on medical science, vaccines, any effort to contain viruses, attacking healthcare, attacking workers, exploding the deficit, starting trade wars with allies, building more private prisons, etc. vulture capitalists have become very adept at making money even when the economy collapses and they get rewarded for it.

 

[AZRWinger]

The only thing i can think of with the Trump administration is they are trying to collapse America. The attacks on medical science, vaccines, any effort to contain viruses, attacking healthcare, attacking workers, exploding the deficit, starting trade wars with allies, building more private prisons, etc. vulture capitalists have become very adept at making money even when the economy collapses and they get rewarded for it.

Trump's trade reforms are in response to the growing US foreign trade deficit. It reached a 10 year high in 2024. Countering foreign countries enacting anti US tariffs schemes while US markets remain ripe for exploitation which led to the mushrooming trade deficit and the devastation of domestic manufacturing is the polar opposite of trying to collapse America.