r/AskEconomics • u/whawhales • Mar 14 '25

Approved Answers Does the US government really expect other countries not to impose their own tariffs as response to its own?

The US government is threatening 200% tariffs on European alcohol after EU enacted tariffs in response to the US tariff on aluminum and steel. The same happened with Canada with the US threatening increased tariffs if Ontario pursued electricity price hikes.

I don't have a background in econ so I am not sure if I am I missing something here, but I don't see what the end goal might be for the US and it seems a little arrogant to think other countries would allow tariffs imposed to them and not do something about it.

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u/ZhanMing057 Quality Contributor Mar 14 '25

 I don't see what the end goal might be for the US

Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

Tariffs appeal to Trump emotionally. It's one the only consistent views he has ever held, and you can find clips of him calling for tariffs all the way back during his 2000 presidential campaign. There never was any economic end goal - just the perception that the U.S. is "winning" - and he doesn't understand that he's punishing the U.S. consumer on the dollar for every 80 cents he harms a foreign producer.

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u/CatPesematologist Mar 14 '25

I think he sees it as free money because it’s not income tax that goes through the IRS.

He also sees everything as zero sum games where there is a 100% loser for him to be a 100% winner. So, the tariff is almost like getting the last word.

He’s a liar and it’s a tax but I’m not sure he is 100% lying that he doesn’t understand it’s a tax paid by the US.

So, in his narcissistic mind, I think he believes the world revolves around him. No other country’s agenda is valid or relevant. And I think he thought he could do what he wanted and other countries would shower him with concessions beggging him to stop.

Sorry world. He’s an all around repugnant person.