A new analysis challenges a key economic claim from the Trump administration, revealing that tariffs and trade restrictions—central to its economic strategy—failed to reduce the U.S. trade deficit as promised. Instead, the data shows the deficit persisted while China maintained a trade surplus, raising questions about the effectiveness of the trade war approach. Economists suggest the policies may have shifted trade flows rather than fundamentally altered the balance. The findings offer a stark contrast to the administration’s stated goals for reshaping global commerce.
Trade war has been central to Trump's presidency, but it didn't slash US deficits. Meanwhile, China recorded a surplus.
