Source: Fortune.com
Summary
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testified to Congress that President Trump’s trade policy is working, but data suggests otherwise. The manufacturing sector, which tariffs were meant to help, is struggling, with job losses and decreased productivity. Manufacturers’ sentiment remains negative, and tariffs are raising costs for consumers and businesses. Research suggests that tariffs will reduce GDP and lead to a smaller economy in the long run.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story. The outlook for the manufacturing sector is bleak, with 88,000 jobs lost year-over-year and productivity collapsing in the fourth quarter of last year. Factory owners themselves report negative sentiments when tariffs are mentioned. The administration focuses on production instead of prices, likely because tariffs are raising costs for consumers and businesses.
The strategy enters a familiar phase. Tariffs are only a portion of the economy, but other forces, like the government shutdown, took a toll on growth. Real final sales to domestic purchasers declined steadily in 2025, and foreign direct investment was lower in 2025 than in the previous four years. The president’s trade agenda treats the country like it’s 1926, not 2026.
Author: Evan Null
