Trump’s tariffs are not unprecedented or responsible for many of the consequences for which they are blamed

Julian Zelizer : Despite critics’ charges, tariffs are hardly unprecedented or responsible for many of the consequences for which they are blamed.

He says tariffs are not inflationary; inflation is a monetary phenomenon, too much government-made money chasing too few goods.

The Biden administration didn’t revoke Trump ’s China tariffs; they let these stand untouched for four years .

Zelizer says it is time the U.S. sought lower trade barriers for its exports in practice.

It is premature to criticize Trump ’s tariffs before we have even seen what they are, on which products they are imposed, and what their ends are.

A closer examination shows that critics’ claims about Trump tariffs are not about the facts behind tariffs, but are all about their opposition to him.