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Trump's tariff tornado: From "fake news" denials to a 90-day trade ceasefire (except for China). Buckle up as we unpack Washington's whiplash-inducing trade policy reversal.
The Tariff Rollercoaster
April 7: "We're not looking at that."
April 9: "BE COOL! 90-day PAUSE!"
In 48 chaotic hours, Trump reversed his hardline tariff stance. The new rules? 10% tariffs for most nations, 125% for China. The White House went from calling pause rumors "fake news" to implementing what traders are calling the "Yippy Relief Act."
Tariffs 101: Economic Weapon or Tax Trickle?
• Taxes on imports paid by businesses
• Trump's pitch: "Revenue for tax cuts!"
• Reality check: $80B/year tariffs ≠ $5T tax plan
• China exception: 125% rate = economic cold war
Economists warn: Treasury data shows 92% of tariff costs hit US consumers.
White House Whiplash
April 7 AM: NEC Director Hassett's "maybe" becomes media "definitely"
April 7 PM: Press Sec Leavitt: "No delays!"
April 9 1PM: Trump's Truth Social bomb
The CNBC correction counter hit 14 before markets closed. Fox's Bartiromo: "President Trump is not going to bend" (aired 2hrs pre-reversal).
Trump's "Wall" Logic
"You can't go through the wall? Go around it!" Trump told NASCAR drivers. Translation: When markets panic (S&P down 11%), pivot. The "yippy" comment? Trader jargon for overreacting. Secret sauce: 75 nations called to negotiate, China left holding 125% bag.
Market Mayhem
• S&P 500: +9.5% on pause news
• Still down 11% from Feb peak
• $4T wiped then $3T regained
• Auto stocks: 22% swing
Trump's "biggest day in financial history" claim? Half-true—biggest single-day gain since 2020 crash.
FAQs
Q: What's the China exception?
A: 125% tariffs remain—$540B in trade now more expensive than during 2023 trade war peak.
Q: 90-day countdown starts when?
A: April 9 1PM ET—countdown clocks in trading floors worldwide.
Q: Legal challenges?
A> WTO filings already submitted by 18 nations. US cites "national security" loophole.
Epilogue: Flexible Walls
In Trumpian economics, even concrete walls have trapdoors. This 90-day "cooling period" proves trade wars aren't static—they're live political theater. For real-time updates, track SEC filings of major importers.
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