Tariffs, Trade, and Reality - Why Punitive Trade Policy Is Weighing on U.S. Consumers and Undermining Economic Efficiency
By Stanley Epstein - Introduction The U.S. economy in 2025–2026 presents a mixed picture. Growth continues, but at a slower pace. Inflation has eased from prior peaks yet remains visible in essential goods. Confidence remains fragile. At the center of the debate lies trade policy — specifically the aggressive use of tariffs as a tool of economic “punishment.” The evidence suggests a sobering conclusion: broad tariffs have not delivered their stated macroeconomic goals and have instead imposed measurable costs on U.S. consumers and firms. The Current Economic Backdrop U.S. GDP expanded by approximately 2.2 percent in 2025, below historical long-run averages and slower than earlier post-pandemic growth phases. Official data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis confirms this moderation in output growth. See https://www.bea.gov . Job creation has softened relative to prior years, with uneven sectoral performance. Consumer confidence readings published by The Conference Board remain ...