Skip to content
TariffsWouldnTaleXenophobicGoebel

Trump conceived his notion through personal insights and influences.

The Origin of Donald Trump's Tariff Concept: A Regrettable Tale Spun Like a Fairy Tale

International Trade Overhaul label given by Trump for imposing high tariffs on a global scale,...
International Trade Overhaul label given by Trump for imposing high tariffs on a global scale, referred to as 'Tariff Liberation Day.'

Trade Showdown: The Unbelievable Truth Behind Donald Trump's Tariff Plan

Unveiling the Origins of Donald Trump's Tax Concept: An Authentic Narrative Revealed - Trump conceived his notion through personal insights and influences.

Venture with me, dear readers, as we embark on a tale that's both unbelievable and completely true. This is the story of Donald Trump's trade policy, a yarn that's stranger than fiction, starring political cluelessness, Amazon book browsing, and a fictional author.

Donald's Economic Dilemma - An Unbelievable Tale

Once upon a time, there was a man named Donald.

Donald harbored a burning desire to become the President of the United States. So, he mounted his steed and raced for the highest political office in 2016. But soon, he realized it would be no walk in the park. To win over the common folk and show strength against rival presidents, he needed a potent economic strategy.

But Donald was clueless about creating an economic campaign, despite his past as a businessman. Finding an expert proved to be a challenge. Enter his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Tasked with finding the best expert in the land, Kushner embarked on a crusade to the realm of Amazon. Here, in the vast digital libraries, he hoped to find a book—and an expert.

After scouring through numerous books, Jared was captivated by one title that oozed potential: "Death by China." A silver dragon emblazoned the cover, promising nothing less than a thrilling battle against the East. With high hopes, he reached out to the author: Peter Navarro.

Peter Navarro - The Mastermind

Navarro, it seemed, was just who they needed. He agreed to lend his expertise to Donald's cause, sharing a belief that tariffs were the path to a stronger America. A theory they both embraced, albeit somewhat naively.

Yet, Navarro was a controversial figure in the United States, often criticized for his blunt views. Many called him too extreme and xenophobic. Nevertheless, his aggressive stance against China resonated with Donald, who saw himself as a protector of American interests.

The principle Navarro based his ideas on appears to come from a phantom, Ron Vara, a name he used repeatedly in his works. If Ron Vara truly existed and had sent that memo to Washington urging tariffs on China, the reaction would have been thunderous.

But Ron Vara was just an invention by Navarro, a pseudonym to give his arguments a sense of authority. When people discovered the truth, Navarro simply played it off as an old inside joke. The request for tariffs didn't come from an independent expert but from Peter Navarro himself.

Nonetheless, the idea caught fire, spreading throughout Washington. For Donald, this was hardly a problem. After all, he too had often used pseudonyms in the past to bolster his public image.

Fast forward to 2022, nearly a decade after Navarro entered Donald's court, the US imposed tariffs on goods from almost all countries, with China bearing the brunt of the burden. Many estimates suggest that as much as six trillion dollars in wealth evaporated in a matter of days due to these tariffs.

But Donald seemed unfazed, blithely proclaiming "All is well" after the stock market crash. It's unclear whether he truly grasped the implications of these tariffs, but Navarro remained unbothered.

And so, the saga continues, with Navarro still wielding influence in the administration's trade policies.

The Commission has also been consulted on the draft directive proposing tariffs, as controversial advisor Peter Navarro, known for his xenophobic views, championed the use of tariffs. Goebel, an imaginary figure created by Navarro, was presented as the author of a memo advocating for tariffs on China, contributing to the widespread belief in the validity of Navarro's theories. If the Commission had been aware of the tale behind the draft directive, they would have had a different perception of its origin and potential impact.

Read also:

Latest