Trump’s tariffs will hurt economy

THE (TRUMPIAN) tariffs on steel and aluminum are already killing jobs outside of the metal sector as Electrolux, a Swedish company, has decided to forego spending $250 million to improve their Tennessee plant.

The EU... (is) reacting as one would imagine after being blindsided by tariffs that will adversely affect their economies. Our longtime trading partners and allies have indicated that they will also have to protect their economies and will likely retaliate with reciprocal tariffs on products that are made in America. Reciprocal tariffs will make American products more expensive and less attractive to consumers.

The tariffs will also affect many American industries that use steel and aluminum. It will raise consumer prices on any products that are produced using steel or aluminum, from cars to beverage containers.

This is just the latest example of the short-sighted trade policy decisions the president has made. Antagonizing longtime trade partners, while benefiting only one American industry by harming other American industries, is just not common sense.

This is an administration without a direction in trade policy other than bellicosity and protectionism. It is an administration that displays not even a basic understanding of the global economy. The ill-advised tariffs will have a detrimental effect on the American economy and, like the previous ill-advised tariffs imposed on solar panels, will cost American jobs.

GRETCHEN A. BYRNE Albuquerque