The Trouble With Donald Trump’s ‘Department Store’ Analogy
President Donald Trump has offered lots of different reasons for hiking tariffs on American imports. He’s said that tariffs are going to make the country “rich and strong” and that they will boost tax revenue, reduce the trade deficit, and create leverage for future trade negotiations.
Many of those arguments are economically illiterate, counterproductive, or contradictory.
But the president’s latest argument might be the most foolish—and most socialist—that he’s rolled out yet: America is one big department store, and Trump is the general manger.
“Think of us as a super luxury store, a store that has the goods,” Trump said on Tuesday while meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. “You’re going to come and you’re going to pay a price, and we’re going to give you a very good price.”
This is the second time that Trump has reached for this analogy in the past few days, which makes it seem less like a random thought that popped into his head and more like an intentional messaging strategy. Last month, in an interview with Time magazine, Trump said America was “a department store, and we set the price. I meet with the companies, and then I set a fair price, what I consider to be a fair price.”
You probably shouldn’t worry too much about this analogy, because the justification for tariffs will probably change again in the next few days (probably to something equally silly). The best and clearest explanation for Trump’s use of tariffs is the simplest one: He just likes tariffs, and he doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, as Scott Lincicome wrote recently at The Dispatch.
Even so, it’s worth tak
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
