will only be stopped by a stock market crash or recession, because he’s shown no sign of caring about either so far. But the tariffs are a different beast. They could genuinely harm the US economy and rattle the markets, and that would get his attention. If the Dow Jones Industrial Average started plummeting and companies started announcing layoffs because of the tariffs, that would be a different story. And if the US economy goes into a recession because of the tariffs, that would be a serious threat to his re-election chances. So, while it’s not a sure thing, the markets and the economy could potentially force Trump to back down.Other countriesRating: PossibleOther countries could retaliate against the US tariffs with their own tariffs, which could hurt US exports and put pressure on Trump to back down. The EU has already threatened to retaliate if the tariffs go into effect. And China, which has already been engaged in a trade war with the US, could escalate the conflict further. So, if other countries start hitting back at the US with tariffs of their own, that could potentially force Trump to reconsider his actions.Public opinionRating: PossibleUltimately, public opinion could be the most powerful force in stopping Trump’s trade policy. If the American people start feeling the effects of the tariffs in their wallets, they could pressure Trump to change course. And if his approval ratings start tanking because of the tariffs, that could have serious consequences for his presidency. So, while it’s not a sure thing, public opinion could potentially be a game-changer in this situation.Whatever happens, it’s clear that Trump’s trade policy is reckless and destructive. And the only way to stop it is for the various institutions and forces mentioned above to come together and push back against his actions. Otherwise, we could be in for a bumpy ride ahead.
