Trump’s Tariff Plan Is Just a Mafia Movie with Extra Paperwork

Trump’s Tariff Plan Is Just a Mafia Movie with Extra Paperwork

“Nice economy you got there. Be a shame if... tariffs happened to it.”

Trump isn’t just bringing back tariffs—he’s weaponizing them like a mob boss handing out favors behind the Olive Garden. This isn’t economic policy, it’s The Godfather: Trade War Edition.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1 — Raise tariffs so high the economy needs a neck brace.

Step 2 — Start handing out waivers like party favors… but only if you kiss the ring.

It’s corruption, but make it spreadsheet-friendly.

In normal times, presidents don’t torch their own economies—because voters tend to notice when bacon hits $12 a pack. But Trump? He’s not chasing prosperity. He’s chasing power. And tariffs give him a perfect carrot-and-stick to build a loyalty economy.

Loyal? You get a waiver.

Critical? Enjoy your 60% import tax on toothpaste.

This isn’t hypothetical. Under Trump’s last term, his friends got exemptions. His enemies got subpoenas. Add tariffs into that system, and congratulations—your entire GDP is now held hostage by vibes and vendettas.

Experts say the richest countries have strong institutions, not strongmen. But Trump’s not reading economics textbooks—he’s reading autocrats’ memoirs.

And unless Congress yanks back control or the courts intervene, tariffs won’t just raise prices on socks and soybeans. They’ll become Trump’s ultimate power tool—one waiver at a time.