“How Smart Trade Strategies Can Empower Workers: The True Impact of Trump’s Tariffs” – Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper

By Ben Jealous

These days, economic policy often feels more like political theater than serious strategy, as seen in the recent tariffs introduced by the Trump administration. These tariffs target a wide range of imported goods without a clear plan, ultimately impacting American families and workers the most.

While tariffs can reshape the economy, they need to be used carefully. They should come with a vision and real investment. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re seeing from the current administration.

This random approach could disrupt the progress American manufacturing has made and escalate prices on everyday items, from cars to appliances. For instance, a recently announced 25% tariff on imported cars and auto parts might push up the average cost of a new car by thousands of dollars.

What’s the reasoning behind this? There’s a lack of clear communication with the industries involved and no solid long-term strategy for job creation or environmental protection. Without these, we are left with confusion rather than direction.

We’ve witnessed similar patterns before. In Trump’s first term, tariffs on steel and aluminum were supposed to help the manufacturing sector. Yet, instead of driving investment in safe and advanced production methods, the focus was on pain and scarcity. With less metal available, prices soared for products dependent on these materials, discouraging U.S. manufacturers from investing further in modern techniques.

In contrast, the revival of American manufacturing we’ve seen recently can largely be credited to the Biden-Harris administration’s Inflation Reduction Act and other initiatives. The previous administration’s approach of targeting specific imports, especially from China in areas vital for clean energy like solar panels and batteries, showed that strategic tariffs can drive better outcomes.

It’s crucial to note that this isn’t just an economic issue; it’s also a matter of justice. Low-income and working-class communities have suffered from careless industrial practices and lost jobs. Rebuilding America’s industrial base needs to be done with care for these communities. We need an economy that is clean and equitable, designed for working families.

There is hope for progress. Over the past three decades, I’ve worked alongside labor leaders and environmental activists, pushing for trade policies that benefit workers and protect the environment. Most of the time, we find common ground. We want systems that boost wages, safeguard the planet, and enhance domestic industries, not ones that favor polluters and burden struggling families.

One effective approach is to implement trade agreements that account for pollution. Carbon border adjustments, which charge fees on goods exceeding U.S. pollution standards, can level the playing field. If your products pollute in other countries, they shouldn’t easily enter the U.S. market. This encourages American manufacturers to adopt cleaner practices and improves conditions for foreign workers too.

We must also update existing agreements, like the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, to include quick responses to both labor and environmental violations. If another country undermines us by polluting, we need to be able to act fast.

Currently, Trump’s tariffs do not address these critical issues. They seem more about gaining headlines than delivering results. Time is short; the climate crisis is real, and American families cannot afford rising prices without real benefits.

We need a solid plan that brings together labor, environmentalists, manufacturers, and communities. We need a new vision for industry that prioritizes people and the planet, not just profits.

The path forward is clear. What we need now is the determination to pursue it.

For further insights into trade policies and their impacts, check out this report by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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Ben Jealous,Donald Trump,Tariffs