Batya Ungar-Sargon on Trump's Tariffs and Foreign Policy Successes

Trump's Tariffs: A Success Story

• 💡 President Trump's tariffs, imposed on April 2nd, were met with widespread criticism from the global economic elite, Wall Street, and the liberal media.
• 🎯 Critics predicted recession, rising inflation (up to 3%), the end of trade, and a stock market crash.
• ✅ However, Batya Ungar-Sargon argues these predictions were wrong, and the tariffs provided leverage for national security goals and corrected a dangerous dependence on China.
• 📈 The year ended with record stock market yields, the lowest inflation since 2021, and 4.3% GDP growth.
• 💰 American corporations and China absorbed the majority of the tariff costs, contributing over $200 billion to the Treasury, with less than 15% passed to consumers, and the national deficit was reduced by $600 billion.

Foreign Policy and the Ukraine War

• ⚠️ Ungar-Sargon admits she was wrong about President Trump's ability to end the war in Ukraine quickly.
• 🧠 Her initial theory was that Putin sought an offramp and a commitment that Ukraine would not join NATO.
• 🇺🇸 Trump's foreign policy, prioritizing American interests, included making it clear Ukraine would not join NATO and acknowledging Crimea as part of Russia.
• 🤝 While President Zelenskyy stated they were close to an agreement, the bombing has continued, and Ungar-Sargon expresses disappointment that the war is still ongoing a year into Trump's term.

Lessons for 2026

• 🚀 Looking towards 2026, Trump is engaged in two key resets: one for global trade to maintain American dominance and restore the dignity of the American working class, and another for foreign policy to reprioritize American well-being.
• 🧠 Achieving these goals requires bold action and often disregarding the advice of experts, but also the humility to admit when one is wrong.