Leland Vittert on Trump's Tariff Policy vs. Border Success

Trump's Tariff Policy: An 'Utter Disaster'

• 🇨🇳 The trade war with China has entered a new phase with China suspending rare earth exports to the US, critical for manufacturing.
• 💡 The Trump administration has shown flexibility by allowing exemptions on electronic products, but this back-and-forth makes the policy hard to follow.
• 🎯 China has a hundred-year plan to replace the US as a superpower and is willing to endure pain, unlike Trump's ill-defined tariff goals.
• 🗣️ Trump's ultimate goal with tariffs is unclear, and slogans like "Make America Great Again" are not actionable goals.

Border Policy: A Clear Success

• 🇺🇸 In contrast to tariffs, Trump's goal to secure the border and deport illegal immigrants is clear and easy to understand.
• 📉 Illegal immigration is down 99%, demonstrating the effectiveness of his policies and his commitment to promises.
• ⚖️ Despite negative media attention and legal challenges, such as the case of Kilar Abrego Garcia, Trump has not wavered on his border policies.

Contrasting Strategies and Messaging

• 🎯 Successful presidential strategies, like FDR's unconditional surrender or Reagan's Cold War approach, had clearly defined goals.
• 🤔 The messaging and policy on tariffs have been confusing, with exemptions on electronics and unclear long-term objectives.
• 📈 The tariff debacle is an economic and political disaster for the president, unlike the success seen with border policy.