Donald Trump spent his first 100 days back in the Oval Office driving an economy that the world envied to the brink of crisis, risking America’s reputation as a financial safe haven and fostering fear among voters who’ve lost confidence in his leadership.
Americans were desperate for relief from high grocery prices and bought into Trump’s promise to make America affordable again in November 2024, partly out of nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy of his first term.
But the president deliberately and singlehandedly adopted policies that are almost certain to spike prices even more; that could lead to shortages; and that have CEOs and small businesses dealing with chaos and the possibility of a recession.
Yet. Reduced trade is a leading edge metric while most economic indicators are trailing edge. Just because it hasn’t yet filtered through to trailing edge indicators, doesn’t mean it hasn’t already happened. Everything is still in stock at normal prices but shortages are looming. And we’re riding the bus with no brakes down a steep road leading to a cliff …… just because we haven’t died yet doesn’t mean we’re not doomed
Your argument is similar to one against climate change. Greenhouse gas levels are a leading edge indicator, or cause. Just because you didn’t see global warming doesn’t mean it hasn’t already happened. And now it is visible to all. And we’re riding the bus with no brakes down a steep road to the edge of the cliff.