
<a href="https://reason.com/volokh/2025/07/27/trumps-trade-deals-wont-end-the-harm-caused-by-his-tariffs/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
President Trump is buzzing around making trade deals with the European Union, Japan, and others, but some economists are raising eyebrows over the actual benefits of these arrangements. Instead of high-fives all around, we might be looking at some hefty price tags here. Take a moment to breathe—tariffs on EU goods are climbing to 15%, compared to a measly 1.47% before all this trade war hullabaloo. That’s a shock to the wallet, and likely to put a few extra pennies on the average American’s bill.
On top of that, it appears Trump has some unusual interpretive dance moves when it comes to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, giving him the power to raise tariffs on a whim. So, while you might think you’re saving some bucks with snazzy new trade agreements, those tariffs could cost American households up to $1,000 a year. Who knew a deal could come with such a hefty price tag?
Legal battles are brewing too, with the Liberty Justice Center and some big-name lawyers weighing in, trying to challenge the legality of these tariffs. What’s truly wild is how Trump’s aggressive trade stance might be undoing the very relations he’s trying to bolster! Are these trade deals truly a win, or are they just papering over significant economic cracks?
What’s your take on these trade deals? Are you seeing the light at the end of the tariff tunnel, or just a freight train barreling down on your pocketbook? Let’s hear your thoughts!
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