Is Trump’s Manufacturing Comeback Real?
Original Report
Steve Rattner of Willett Advisors examines whether tariffs and trade policy are actually changing the trajectory of US manufacturing. He discusses the data behind industrial output, the consumer cost...
Steve Rattner of Willett Advisors examines whether tariffs and trade policy are actually changing the trajectory of US manufacturing. He discusses the data behind industrial output, the consumer cost of keeping out Chinese EV maker BYD, and the strategic trade-offs of protecting domestic industry. As President Trump touts potential for 15% GDP growth, Rattner explains why that’s unlikely to happen — and why productivity gains from AI may matter more than tariffs. (Source: Bloomberg)
Glass House Analysis
International economic policy has concrete impacts far beyond diplomatic circles. Tariffs show up in the price of goods at stores, supply chain disruptions affect whether products are on shelves, and trade tensions can mean job losses in export-dependent industries. The globalized economy means that decisions made abroad can affect workers and consumers domestically.
Inflation is the silent tax that erodes purchasing power, hitting hardest those who can least afford it. When grocery bills rise faster than wages, families face impossible choices between food, medicine, and rent. Unlike market volatility that mainly affects investors, inflation touches everyone who buys groceries, fills a gas tank, or pays rent.
The implications extend beyond the immediate news cycle. Every economic development creates ripples that affect employment, prices, and opportunities in ways that may not be immediately visible but are deeply felt. By tracking these connections, we can better understand how the economy truly works—not as an abstract machine, but as a human system shaped by and shaping the lives of millions.
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