A whole new wave of tariffs has been announced by the Trump administration targeting our allies in Europe. These tariffs, like the ones previously announced by China, will have negative consequences for the livelihoods of American citizens.
Industries including pharmaceuticals, motor vehicles, and general machinery will be the ones taking the biggest hits. This could lead to Americans not being able to access life-saving medication due to increased prices.
These tariffs are the latest effort by the Trump Administration to continue its America First initiative. However, in trying to make America fully self-sufficient, the country will only be hurt by these policies. The administration forgets that not everything can be produced by themselves.
In our increasingly globalized world, countries that attempt to shut themselves off fail. By creating these tariffs, the US is threatening the relationships we have developed with our allies. We will have made ourselves be seen as untrustworthy, and causing rifts between crucial relationships will likely have consequences in the future.
Unfortunately, many within the administration and its supporters are content with these plans going through. Additionally, those in power who can combat these plans have had a hard time putting up a fight.
While these issues might seem impossible to fight against, speaking up is the only way for the public to hold people in power accountable and encourage change.
