Trump’s tariffs echo Jefferson’s failed attempt to weaponise trade
The National · 12 Nov 2026

Trump’s tariffs echo Jefferson’s failed attempt to weaponise trade

More than 18 months have passed since US President Donald Trump launched his so-called Liberation Day tariffs. On Tuesday, US electorate went to the polls for the midterms, with recent polling revealing uncertainty over how Mr Trump’s shifting tariff policy could affect their personal finances. Like America’s third president, Thomas Jefferson, in the early 19th century, Mr Trump has used economic measures to counter what he perceived as exploitation by foreign powers.


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