A recent letter to the editor criticizes Donald Trump’s economic policies, arguing they have led to negative outcomes in trade and employment. The author points to increased tariffs and strained relations with traditional allies as factors pushing countries like Canada to pursue alternative trade agreements, including with China. This shift, it is claimed, weakens the U.S. position in global commerce and disrupts the international economic order it once led. On the domestic front, the letter highlights a reported decline in manufacturing jobs and notes that only 500,000 positions were added during Trump’s first year in office—significantly fewer than the 2 million created in 2024 under President Joe Biden. The U.S. dollar’s depreciation is also cited as a concern, increasing the cost of overseas labor and reducing affordability for businesses reliant on international operations. Consumer confidence, according to the writer, has dropped to its lowest point since 2014, signaling growing public unease. The conclusion urges current policymakers to take corrective action to prevent a potential downturn, emphasizing the need for stable, forward-looking economic strategies.
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Letter: Trump’s economic policy is a failure
Donald Trump’s economic policies have been an unmitigated disaster. His tariffs and belligerence toward former allies has caused friendly nations to jettison the U.S. as a reliable trading partner. Canada has entered into 12 trade and security deals with other nations, including China, and others are following suit. n nAs Canada’s prime minister stated at Davos, the U.S. has ruptured the international rules of order it created. No longer can the world rely on the U.S. n nTrump’s tariffs have been an abject failure, with manufacturing jobs decreasing and only 500,000 jobs being created during his first year. Even under Joe Biden, 2 million jobs were created in 2024. n nThe U.S. dollar is plummeting, making foreign jobs more unaffordable. As a consequence, consumer confidence plunged to its lowest level since 2014. The White House needs to wake up before it causes a recession. n nHarry Wruck n nWaikiki n n— n nEXPRESS YOURSELF n nThe Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor. n n>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. n n>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813