In a recent episode of the show “To the Point,” the discussion centered around US President Donald Trump’s decision to implement tariffs in an effort to protect American manufacturing and create jobs. The episode featured a panel of experts including car expert Beatrix Keim, geoeconomic analyst Claudia Schmucker, and journalists Clifford Coonan and Erik Kirschbaum.
The guests highlighted the potential risks and implications of Trump’s tariffs, with the consensus being that tariffs are not a useful tool and will likely lead to a rise in inflation. Additionally, it was noted that tariffs will not only impact developing countries but also US consumers, making it a dark day for free trade. Businesses are facing uncertainty as they navigate the changing economic landscape, especially since imports to the US are currently cheaper than domestically produced goods.
The panel discussed the effects of tariffs on the auto industry, emphasizing that US carmakers could potentially pay billions of dollars if tariffs are implemented. This, in turn, would lead to a rise in car prices for American consumers. The global economic system as a whole will be negatively affected, particularly since car parts cross borders multiple times before cars are assembled.
While Trump argues that these tariffs are necessary to support low-income individuals, the panel expressed skepticism, suggesting that the US will ultimately be the country that suffers the most from these protectionist measures. The EU is expected to respond in a rational manner, but questions regarding the future of globalization have been raised.
Overall, the experts concluded that the idea of globalization may be at risk if more countries follow in Trump’s footsteps. The episode shed light on the complex implications of Trump’s tariffs and their potential impact on global trade.
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Video “Trump’s tariffs: A declaration of global trade war? | To the Point” was uploaded on 04/03/2025 to Youtube Channel DW News