Donald Trump once vowed to “drain the swamp” tapping into populist frustrations with Washington, D.C, but a Wall Street Journal columnist warned that if the president-elect’s plans for broad tariffssucceed, he’ll do exactly the opposite: make the “bigger and slimier than ever.“
Trump has proposed significant tariff increases on imports from several countries, including a 25% tariff on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada, and an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported from China. He’s also proposed universal 10 to 20 percent tariffs on all imported goods.
“The problem is that Mr. Trump’s tariff program would energize and empower these elites. By directing government to impose levies on allies and adversaries alike, he’d be giving more strength to the swamp monsters he’s supposed to be defeating,” wrote Matthews.