Tariffs, Layoffs & Commissions: Trump’s Authoritarian Playbook in Two Weeks
📦 Tariffs: Shock Therapy for the Supply Chain Trump’s economic nationalism is back in full force. This week, his administration escalated its tariff regime with a wave of new actions that seem less about trade balance and more about coercion, profiteering, and projection of domestic power. Key Developments: 50% tariff on copper imports, justified under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act (i.e. national security grounds). Copper, essential for electronics and green infrastructure, is a critical input that impacts the entire supply chain (Reuters). Up to 200% tariffs on pharmaceuticals, set to phase in over 12–18 months. The rationale is “re-shoring” drug manufacturing, but the short-term effect is price shocks and supply gaps (AP News). 14 countries—including Japan, South Korea, and Germany—received “tariff threat letters” demanding trade concessions by August 1 or face new penalties (Politico). These aren’t strategic economic levers—they’re blunt force threats. They’re designed to provoke media coverage, fuel market volatility, and create space for elite profiteering. ...