Democrats Call Out Trump After He Says Tariffs Will Cause ‘A Little Disturbance’
ForbesMAR 8
SKorea, PRC, Japan Agree to Deepen Ties Amid Looming US Tariffs
Above: The trade ministers from China, Wang Wentao (R), and Japan, Yoji Muto (L), pose for photographers alongside South Korea's Ahn Duk-geun (C) at the 13th Trilateral Economic and Trade Ministers' Meeting in Seoul on March 30, 2025. Image copyright: Jung Yeon-je/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
President Donald Trump's tariffs are essential for protecting American manufacturing jobs and addressing critical national security concerns, including drug trafficking and illegal immigration. They will also encourage automakers to shift production to the US where they will pay no tariffs.
Establishment-critical narrative
Trump's trade tariffs are prompting Asian countries to enhance their trade relationships. Regional economic cooperation in Asia is crucial for countering rising US protectionism and maintaining stable global trade relations. Asian nations — now including traditional Western allies and China — are showing their commitment to free trade principles and multilateral cooperation by reinforcing partnerships and agreements.
Democratic narrative
The proposed tariffs would devastate the North American auto industry by disrupting established supply chains and significantly increasing production costs, potentially leading to job losses and higher prices for consumers while giving Asian and European manufacturers a competitive advantage.