The article traces President Trump's pro-tariff stance back to the 1980s, when his business dealings with Japan fueled his perception of the country as an economic threat. A 1988 auction loss for a Casablanca piano to a Japanese company solidified this view, leading him to advocate for significant tariffs on Japanese imports.
In a 1989 interview, Trump expressed his strong belief in tariffs, criticizing Japan, West Germany, Saudi Arabia and South Korea's trade practices and claiming America was being “ripped off.”
The article emphasizes that tariffs became a central component of Trump's presidency, acting as a key tool for his economic agenda. Experts link this to Trump's business experiences and personal beliefs concerning winning, strength, border control, and executive power.
A Dartmouth College history professor highlighted that Trump's tariff obsession is deeply connected to his worldview, shaped by Japan’s economic rise. The president's policy aligns with his ambition to appear tough, win, secure national borders, and assert his executive power.