The Policy Lens

Tag: donald-trump

  • Tariff Power & Hidden Costs: Why the Youth Are Paying for America’s Trade Wars

    The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: 0x0.webp

    Tariffs are one of the oldest tools in American economic policy, made to protect domestic industries. However in practice, they are often less about economic protection and more about political signaling, built to stir up nationalist sentiments and show a strict stance on trade.

    Every administration, from Washington’s to Trump’s, has used tariffs to influence trade. But when their goals are to preserve American jobs, they often ignore the long term economic damages they cause: higher consumer prices, retaliatory tariffs, and global supply chain disruption.

    The second Trump administrations tariffs on China were made as a hardline defense against intellectual property theft, cyber spying on American corporations, and the massive US-China trade imbalance. However, studies from the The Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) showed that the average American household would have to pay $1,200 more every year due to the tariffs on Mexico and China. Tariffs on steel and aluminum made goods much more expensive, a $3,000 increase on car manufacturing on average, construction materials rose around 6% increasing infrastructure project costs.

    The main agency responsible for the implementation and structure policies is the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Meant to negotiate trade deals, it typically operates without transparency or accountability. Tariffs are set in law with minimal input from Congress, often hidden beneath technical legalese. What makes tariffs especially unique and dangerous is that they are the only major form of taxation the Executive Branch can put in place without any Congressional approval.

    That’s why the United States needs a Trade Accountability Act. This act would require all new tariffs to pass a diligent cost-benefit analysis, demand annual reporting to Congress and the public, and create a bipartisan trade oversight commission. This commission could veto tariffs that harm more Americans than they help.

  • The Role of USAID in American Strategy

    The Role of USAID in American Strategy

    Foreign aid is one of the United States most important tools. Every single year the U.S. spends 71.9 billion dollars on a mixture of humanitarian relief, economic development, and military assistance abroad. The stated goals are to fight poverty, stabilize fragile regions, and promote American values. But is it truly as philanthropic as it claims? Clearly not, foreign aid is mostly used to strengthen ties and counter China & Russia.

    The biggest institutor of foreign aid is USAID (United States Agency for International Development), USAID was founded in 1961 by John F. Kennedy through the Foreign Assistance Act, and in 1998 it was reorganized as an independent agency.

    Although foreign aid benefits many such as developing nations, U.S. contractors, and key allies like Israel, but it also causes concerns about misuse, corruption, and prioritizing American interests over actual humanitarian need.

    After USAID was shut down by Elon Musk with his Department of Government Efficiency, many concerns were found with usage of government funds. A $500,000 grant was given to Nepal for the Spread of Atheism Overseas, $20 Million for Sesame Street in Iraq, $1.5 Million for DEI Initiatives in Serbia, and accusations of their funding going to Al-Queda affiliates.

    For decades, USAID has operated with billions in taxpayer funding, often without delivering actual results for the American taxpayers. With rising inflation, a housing crisis, student debt, and failing infrastructure at home, many Americans are wondering why we are burning money on these random programs.

    However as humans, we must consider the damage this can do vulnerable populations without access to food, medicine, or education. This also allows China and Russia to expand their influence, offering their own aid packages and making friendships in crucial chokepoints across the world.

    With the growing concerns about the effectiveness and intent of US foreign aid, it is obvious that reform is needed, not radical eliminations. Rather than continuing to fund meaningless programs with unknown outcomes or partisan motivations, the United States should pass a Foreign Aid Accountability Act. This policy would introduce more openness and full disclosure for the general public. If this causes national security lapses, maybe the US could bring in a 3rd party oversight to make sure USAID is going to places that need it and not in the backpocket of officials. By doing so, the United States can still uphold its global leadership and humanitarian commitments whilst addressing the concerns of American taxpayers.