(Doug Mills | The New York Times) President Donald Trump speaks as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, right, look on during his first Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025.
President Trump’s economic foreign policy focuses on personal affronts and agendas instead of the country he is meant to be serving.
As he continues to pursue his policy of global trade war, he rewards sycophants and punishes perceived dissidents such as Canada and Brazil. Increasing tariffs on countries like Canada and Brazil for personal retribution does not protect American interests. In fact, it does quite the opposite. Recent studies have shown that the Trump administration’s tariffs will increase the taxes paid per U.S. household by $1,300 in 2025, an increase that few households will be able to swallow easily, especially with SNAP benefits expected to lapse on Nov. 1.
Along with hurting American households, the Trump administration’s foreign economic policy is alienating long-standing American allies like Canada and threatens the relationships America has worked long and hard to build with countries like India. Continued economic aggression will further strain American ties with international partners and complicate our position in the global order.
Even as some countries try to appease relations with Trump by appealing to his ego and lavishing him with gifts and praise, they are backing themselves into corners that will influence international relations in the years to come. Courting American favor while ignoring other relations and goals will come back to haunt those countries as well as the United States.
Despite Trump’s promotion of his foreign policy as being “America First,” it may be more accurate to describe it as “Trump First.” It appears diplomacy only works when you provide him with a crown.
Daffodil Buchert, Salt Lake City