📌 What did Trump change? Why did the public react?

đŸ‡ș🇾 What is the foundation of Classic American Economy?

The economic system built by the U.S. after World War II was based on the understanding of a “liberal world order.” The core principles of this system are:

Free Trade: The U.S. became a pioneer of world trade by removing barriers on imports and exports.

Global Integration: U.S. companies moved their factories to regions like Asia and South America due to cheap labor and production costs.

Corporate Collaboration: Through institutions like the World Bank, IMF, and GATT (later WTO), the U.S. set global economic norms.

Military and Economic Alliances: The Western bloc was economically strengthened by creating military alliances like NATO as well as economic blocs like NAFTA.

đŸ‡ș🇾 1. What is the foundation of American Economic Philosophy?

Classic American economic philosophy:

✅ Free trade

✅ Globalization

✅ Non-intervention in the market economy (laissez-faire)

✅ Open economic cooperation with allies

This philosophy forms the basis of the post-World War II order, supported by institutions (like IMF, WTO, NAFTA).

🚧 2. What did Trump do and why did it attract backlash?

✅ Trump largely reversed this traditional line:

✅ Imposed high tariffs against China, the EU, and Canada.

✅ Followed protectionist policies by saying ‘America First.’

✅ Questioned alliances like NATO and NAFTA.

✅ Withdrew from or renegotiated free trade agreements (e.g., TPP, NAFTA → USMCA).

đŸ’„ These policies contradicted the classic “globalization under U.S. leadership” doctrine.

🧠 3. What was the source of the reactions?

Economists and large capital: The obstruction of free trade harmed global supply chains.

Allied countries: The U.S.’s reliability has been undermined.

Export-based sectors: Reciprocal tariffs (e.g., China’s retaliations) hit these sectors.

On an ideological level: It was a direction completely contrary to the U.S.’s 70-year foreign policy line.

Trump’s tariffs and foreign trade policies received significant backlash in both political and academic circles as they contradicted American economic philosophy (especially the vision of free trade and global leadership).

However, since these same policies overlapped with the economic interests of certain factions, they gained significant support domestically. #TrumpTariffs #PowellRemarks