What Makes Trump’s Tariffs Different This Time Around?

[IMPORTANT: Make this 4 times longer with much more detail]

Flash Points Themed journeys through our archive. Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive email correspondence from us. You may opt out at any time. Enter your email Sign Up ✓ Signed Up What Makes Trump’s Tariffs Different This Time Around? A guide to the history and future of U.S. protectionism. By Chloe Hadavas , a senior editor at Foreign Policy . An illustration shows a circular fortress made of shipping containers surrounding a U.S. flag on a pole. Matt Chase illustration for Foreign Policy My FP: Follow topics and authors to get straight to what you like. Exclusively for FP subscribers. Subscribe Now | Log In United States North America February 16, 2025, 10:00 AM Comment icon View Comments ( 0 ) U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs have made headlines since the start of his term. His trade policy, which is more aggressive than during his first administration, is already rattling the global trade system. Yet while Trump’s moves are extreme, FP contributors have pointed out that Washington has been embracing protectionism for some time. As Bob Davis, a veteran economics reporter, wrote last September, the Biden administration actually “confirmed and deepened” the shift toward protectionism that marked Trump’s first term, reflecting a “broader change in the U.S. economic and political thinking.” U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs have made headlines since the start of his term. His trade policy, which is more aggressive than during his first administration, is already rattling the global trade system. Yet while Trump’s moves are extreme, FP contributors have pointed out that Washington has been embracing protectionism for some time. As Bob Davis, a veteran economics reporter, wrote last September, the Biden administration actually “confirmed and deepened” the shift toward protectionism that marked Trump’s first term, reflecting a “broader change in the U.S. economic and political thinking.” Trending Articles How Europe Can Defend Itself Here are 10 steps European leaders can take now to bolster the continent’s defenses without U.S. help. Powered By Advertisement How Europe Can Defend Itself X Think of this edition of Flash Points as a guide to what Davis calls our era of “neo-protectionism.” Below, you’ll find articles that provide insight into many of your tariff-related questions, as well as the history and future of Trump’s favorite economic tool. John Kennedy sits at a desk in the oval office and looks up and smiles as other men in suits gather around him. U.S. President John F. Kennedy signs a trade bill at the White House in Washington on Oct. 11, 1962. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images How Washington Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace Protectionism Biden’s embrace of Trump-era tariffs is emblematic of a broader change in U.S. thinking on trade—and toward China, Bob Davis writes. A box of tomatoes. Tomatoes from Canada are displayed for sale at a Whole Foods store in New York on Feb. 3. Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images Why Is the President, Not Congress, in Charge of Tariffs? Presidential dominance over tariff policy was not always the way that things were, Julian E. Zelizer writes. U.S. President Donald Trump holds up an official document with people surrounding him. U.S. President Donald Trump signs trade sanctions against China at the White House in Washington on March 22, 2018. Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images Everything You Wanted to Know About Trump’s Tariffs but Were Afraid to Ask “Tariff man” can levy them all right. The real questions are how and why, FP’s Keith Johnson writes. An illustration shows Donald Trump waving with his tie flying over his shoulder atop a swinging blue cargo container. Four other multi-colored containers at left hand slightly higher. Foreign Policy illustration/iStock and Getty Images Trump Has the Whole Global Trade System in His Sights The U.S. president’s ambitions for “reciprocity” aren’t limited to China, Bob Davis writes. Commercial trucks cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge border crossing into the United States in Niagara Falls, Canada. Commercial trucks cross the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge border crossing into the United States in Niagara Falls, Canada, on Feb. 4. Joe Raedle/Getty Images How Trump’s Tariff Policy Will Shape the World As FP’s Cameron Abadi and Adam Tooze discuss, China is fighting back, but other countries will struggle to respond. Chloe Hadavas is a senior editor at Foreign Policy . X: @Hadavas Read More On Donald Trump | North America | Trade Policy & Agreements | United States Join the Conversation Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription. Already a subscriber? Log In . Subscribe Subscribe View 0 Comments Join the Conversation Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now. Subscribe Subscribe Not your account? Log out View 0 Comments Join the Conversation Please follow our comment guidelines , stay on topic, and be civil, courteous, and respectful of others’ beliefs. You are commenting as . Change your username | Log out Change your username: Username I agree to abide by FP’s comment guidelines . (Required) Confirm CANCEL Confirm your username to get started. The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account. 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