Author: Catherine Heo

First year

In March 2018, the former president’s administration introduced a policy targeting Chinese imports. The policy imposed a 25% and 10% tariff on steel and aluminum, respectively. This policy is addressed by the Section 232 tariffs, a label provided by the specific section of the constitution that authorized the administration to impose the policy.

Trump’s intentions were allegedly the promotion of national security. The level of imports for steel and aluminum has indeed decreased. The U.S. economy, however, has proved otherwise.

With less competition in the industry, domestic producers have had to manage high demands, naturally increasing the cost of production. Employment, correspondingly, has decreased. Certainly, the prices of steel and aluminum have increased for consumers. The U.S. GDP has since confronted adverse effects including a “0.22% reduction.”

In light of the uncertainties that surround the former president’s intentions, campaigning has been common speculation. A primary rhetorical tactic that promoted Trump to the president was his established personality. Since the 1980s, Trump has expressed his concerns for national security. Drawing Japanese trade practices into the picture, he marketed the mindset that foreign states derided America. Specifically, in an interview hosted by Larry King, Trump addressed “other countries ripping off the United States.” With much charisma, Trump found a community of supporters. In fact, the electoral map for 2020 indicates his personality appealed to a very specific audience: the Mid-South population of America. 

The Mid-South is where America’s factory work is largely performed, given its spacious land. Furthermore, the products imported by foreign powers are often a cost-friendly alternative to the products produced in the Mid-South — hence the disapproval of imports from people in the area.

With the expression ‘Make America Great Again,’ Trump has demonstrated his recognition of the disapproval and thus garnered support. Assuming a politician’s proximate goal is being re-elected, and given Trump was halfway through his term in office, it was crucial that he demonstrated his commitment to his supporters. In hindsight, the Trump administration’s foreign policy may have been the former president’s approach to campaigning for the 2020 election.

Nevertheless, the true intentions for the Section 232 tariffs remain in question.