Published on: Wed, 20 May 2026 13:41:28 GMT
Original Story: Video: Opinion | Thank You, President Trump – The New York Times

Tariffs: Now He Likes ‘Em? LOL.

Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we’re diving headfirst into another episode of “Trump Does a 180,” starring our favorite tangerine-tinted economic “genius.” This time, the plot revolves around tariffs. Remember when tariffs were, like, the absolute worst thing EVER? Pepperidge Farm remembers…and so do I.

The Great Tariff Flip-Flop of…Well, Now

So, our former president, the one who once railed against tariffs as job-killers and economy-wreckers (specifically, back in *2016* when he was busy blaming Obama for, well, everything), is now apparently head-over-heels in love with them. He’s floating the idea of, get this, a UNIVERSAL tariff on all imported goods. Because, you know, why target specific sectors when you can just screw everyone equally? It’s the equitable way to crater the economy, obviously.

The New York Times, bless their fact-checking hearts, published an opinion piece (yes, I know, opinion, but bear with me) basically saying “Thank You, President Trump” for highlighting the potential of tariffs. Now, before you start sharpening your pitchforks, they’re not *actually* thanking him. It’s more of a “thanks for accidentally stumbling upon a point we’ve been trying to make for years” kind of thank you.

But Wait, There’s More! (As Always)

The real kicker here is the sheer audacity. This is the guy who spent his first term playing tariff roulette, slapping duties on steel, aluminum, and Chinese goods, often with little rhyme or reason. The results? A mixed bag, at best. Some industries saw a temporary boost, others got hammered by higher input costs, and consumers ended up paying more for everything from washing machines to, I dunno, those trendy succulents everyone was obsessed with in 2017. Remember those?

Now, he’s proposing a blanket tariff, which, let’s be honest, sounds less like a carefully considered economic policy and more like a desperate attempt to “win” at trade. And let’s not forget the potential for retaliatory tariffs from other countries. We’re talking about a full-blown trade war, people. Think higher prices, fewer choices, and a whole lot of economic uncertainty. Just what we need, right?

The Experts Weigh In (Spoiler Alert: They’re Not Thrilled)

Economists, bless their nerdy souls, are pretty much universally aghast at the idea. They’re waving their hands frantically, yelling about supply chains, inflation, and the general idiocy of throwing sand in the gears of global commerce. But hey, who needs experts when you’ve got a gut feeling and a Twitter account?

The argument for tariffs, as the NYT piece kind of highlights, is that they can protect domestic industries, encourage local production, and potentially generate revenue. And sure, in theory, those things *could* happen. But in practice, tariffs often lead to unintended consequences, like companies moving production overseas to avoid the duties, or simply passing the costs onto consumers. Also, revenue generation? Sounds like a tax by another name, doesn’t it?

Let’s not forget the political implications. Alienating our trading partners is never a great idea, especially when we’re trying to build alliances to counter, say, China’s growing influence. Slapping tariffs on everyone just makes us look like an unreliable and unpredictable player on the world stage. Great for “America First,” maybe not so great for, you know, actually leading the world.

So, What’s the Deal?

Honestly, who knows? Maybe he genuinely believes tariffs are the answer to all our economic woes. Maybe he’s just trying to stir up controversy and get people talking about him (spoiler alert: it’s working). Or maybe he just likes the sound of “tariff.” It’s got a certain ring to it, doesn’t it? It’s strong. It’s decisive. It’s…potentially disastrous.

Whatever the reason, the prospect of a universal tariff is enough to make any sane person reach for the antacids. It’s a risky, ill-considered, and potentially catastrophic idea that should be met with the skepticism it deserves. But hey, maybe I’m just being a cynical elder millennial. What do I know?

The Fine Print Nobody Reads (But You Should)

• Tariffs are taxes on imported goods.
• They can raise prices for consumers.
• They can protect domestic industries (sometimes).
• They can trigger retaliatory tariffs.
• They can disrupt global supply chains.
• They can make economists cry.

Snarky Takeaway

Look, I’m not saying tariffs are *always* a bad idea. Sometimes, targeted duties can be a useful tool. But a universal tariff? That’s like using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. It’s overkill, it’s messy, and it’s probably going to end up hurting more than it helps. So, thanks, Trump, for reminding us that even the worst ideas can be recycled. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go stock up on cheap imported goods before the apocalypse arrives.