Batya Ungar-Sargon's 2025 Takes: Tariffs Successes and Ukraine War Misjudgments

2025 Tariff Policy Successes

• 🎯 Tariffs imposed on April 2nd were initially met with widespread criticism from the global economic elite, Wall Street, and liberal media.
• 📈 Contrary to predictions of recession and rising inflation, the tariffs resulted in record-breaking 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, while less than 15% was passed to consumers, significantly reducing the national deficit.
• 🔑 The tariffs are viewed as a success for providing leverage for national security goals, correcting dependence on China, and restoring dignity to the American worker.

Misjudgment on the Ukraine War

• ⚠️ The speaker admits being significantly wrong about President Trump's ability to end the war in Ukraine quickly.
• 💡 The initial belief was that Putin sought an off-ramp and a commitment that Ukraine would not join NATO, which Trump has since made clear.
• 📉 Despite Trump's efforts to de-escalate, ensure NATO members pay their fair share, and secure Ukrainian agreement on territorial concessions, the bombing and conflict have continued.
• 🇺🇦 The speaker expresses hope that the war will end soon, acknowledging the miscalculation in expecting its resolution within Trump's first year.

Larger Lessons for 2026

• 🚀 President Trump's agenda involves two key resets: one for global trade to maintain American dominance and another for foreign policy to prioritize American well-being.
• 🧠 Achieving these goals requires bold action and a willingness to disregard expert consensus, but also the crucial ability to admit when one is wrong.