Grok says:
Key Points
- It seems likely that the elite media views Trump's tariffs as economically harmful, potentially raising prices and risking global trade wars, while many Americans support them for protecting jobs and promoting fair trade.
- Research suggests the media's criticism stems from alignment with free-market ideals, while public support reflects economic populism and distrust of globalization.
- The evidence leans toward a cultural divide, with media seeing tariffs as reckless and Americans in manufacturing areas viewing them as vital for survival.
Why the Elite Media Dislikes Trump's Tariffs
The elite media, such as The New York Times and CNN, often criticizes Trump's tariffs for their potential to disrupt the economy. They argue that tariffs can increase consumer prices, lead to inflation, and provoke retaliation from other countries, potentially sparking trade wars. For example, economists cited in media reports suggest that tariffs raise costs for industries reliant on imports, like manufacturing and technology, which could hurt overall economic growth. Additionally, the media sees these policies as contrary to free-market principles, with opinion pieces like one from The New York Times (Trump’s Tariffs Make Absolutely No Sense) calling them "nonsensical" for focusing on trade deficits rather than actual trade barriers.
Culturally, the media views tariffs as isolating America, undermining its role as a global leader. An unexpected detail is that some critiques, like Nicholas Kristof's in The New York Times (Tariffs Destroy What Makes America Great), focus on social impacts, arguing tariffs obstruct the flow of ideas and friendships, not just goods.
Why Trump's Tariffs Are Popular with Many Americans
Despite media criticism, tariffs are popular with tens of millions of Americans, especially in areas like the Rust Belt. Many believe tariffs protect domestic jobs by making imported goods more expensive, encouraging purchases of American-made products. A 2024 Reuters/Ipsos survey (Poll on Tariff Support) found over 60% of Americans, including Democrats, support tariffs to safeguard jobs. They also see tariffs as a way to ensure fair trade, countering perceived exploitation by countries like China, and as a symbol of prioritizing American interests over globalization.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Media Contempt and Public Support for Trump's Tariffs
This analysis explores the stark contrast between the elite media's uniform contempt for Donald Trump's tariffs and their widespread popularity among tens of millions of Americans, as observed on April 8, 2025. The divide reflects differing economic priorities, cultural perspectives, and political incentives, with significant implications for public discourse and policy.
Elite Media's Contempt for Trump's Tariffs
The elite media, encompassing outlets like The New York Times, CNN, The Economist, and Reuters, consistently expresses disdain for Trump's tariff policies. This contempt is rooted in several economic and ideological reasons, often framed through a lens of global economic stability and free-market orthodoxy.
- Economic Inefficiency and Consumer Impact:
The media frequently highlights research suggesting tariffs increase consumer prices and disrupt supply chains. For instance, studies from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) indicate that tariffs raise costs for industries reliant on imports, such as manufacturing and technology, potentially leading to inflation. An article in The New York Times (Trump’s Tariffs Will Change Your Life) by Justin Wolfers estimated that these tariffs could be 50 times more painful than those in Trump's first term, significantly impacting daily life, such as raising washing machine prices by nearly $100 in 2018, leading to higher energy and water bills for consumers. - Global Instability and Retaliation Risks:
Tariffs are criticized for provoking retaliation from trading partners, risking a global trade war. Reports from CNN (Inside Trump’s defiant response to the markets’ tariff meltdown) and CBS News (Trump's tariffs draw rebukes from world leaders) detail reactions from countries like China, the EU, and Canada, which have threatened or implemented counter-tariffs. This is seen as destabilizing the global economy, with potential long-term harm to U.S. businesses and consumers. - Lack of Logical Basis:
The media often points out the flawed reasoning behind Trump's "reciprocal tariffs," which are based on trade deficits rather than actual tariffs or trade barriers. The Washington Post, as cited in Press Watchers (Mainstream media falls for Trump’s insane ‘reciprocal’ tariff talk), noted that the formula used is "nonsensical," failing to reflect real trade dynamics. This is echoed in The New York Times (Trump’s Tariffs Make Absolutely No Sense), where Jason Furman argued that the policy lacks economic rationale, predicting lower growth, higher unemployment, and wealth destruction. - Political and Cultural Opposition:
The elite media's alignment with progressive and establishment interests contributes to their criticism. Trump's tariffs are seen as populist and disruptive to traditional economic norms. Cultural critiques, such as Nicholas Kristof's in The New York Times (Tariffs Destroy What Makes America Great), argue that tariffs isolate America, obstructing the flow of ideas, technology, and friendships. This is framed as damaging to America's historical role as a crossroads nation, citing examples like Athens and New York as innovation hubs due to global interaction. - Impact on Specific Industries:
Media reports also highlight sector-specific harms, such as the impact on the electric vehicle (EV) industry, as noted in TIME (U.S. Electric Vehicle Industry Is Damaged by Trump Trade War). Tariffs on imported components could raise costs, hindering EV adoption, which aligns with environmental concerns often championed by elite media.
Public Popularity of Trump's Tariffs
Despite this media contempt, Trump's tariffs enjoy significant support among tens of millions of Americans, particularly in deindustrialized regions like the Rust Belt. This popularity is driven by economic populism, perceived fairness, and cultural identity.
- Job Protection and Economic Populism:
Many Americans, especially in manufacturing sectors, believe tariffs protect domestic jobs by making imported goods more expensive, encouraging purchases of American-made products. For example, steelworkers in Pennsylvania and autoworkers in Michigan see tariffs as vital for their livelihoods. The BBC (What are tariffs, how do they work and why is Trump using them?) notes Trump's argument that tariffs will boost U.S. manufacturing investment, resonating with voters who feel globalization has cost jobs. A 2024 Reuters/Ipsos survey (Poll on Tariff Support) found over 60% of Americans, including many Democrats, support tariffs to protect domestic employment. - Fair Trade and National Sovereignty:
There is a widespread perception that other countries, particularly China, have exploited the U.S. through unfair trade practices, such as currency manipulation or subsidies. Tariffs are seen as a way to level the playing field and prioritize American interests. The White House fact sheet (Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Declares National Emergency) frames tariffs as addressing a national emergency caused by large trade deficits, appealing to voters concerned about national security. - Symbolic Appeal of "America First":
Tariffs resonate with voters who distrust globalization and international institutions, viewing them as a rejection of elite consensus. This is particularly strong among working-class voters who feel left behind by free trade agreements like NAFTA. The BBC (Would Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China hurt US consumers?) highlights longstanding concerns about manufacturing job losses, which tariffs aim to address, aligning with Trump's "America First" rhetoric. - Cultural and Political Identity:
For many supporters, tariffs symbolize a stand against the cosmopolitan worldview of the elite media. This cultural divide is evident in Pew Research data (Trust in Media), showing only 22% of Americans trust the media, widening the gap between elite narratives and public sentiment. An X post from Kimbal Musk (Kimbal Musk on X) criticized tariffs as a "structural, permanent tax on the American consumer," but this reflects elite opinion, contrasting with broader public support.
Comparative Analysis and Cultural Divide
The disconnect between media contempt and public support highlights a deeper cultural and economic divide. The elite media focuses on global economic stability, consumer costs, and long-term models, often viewing tariff supporters as uninformed or xenophobic. Conversely, the public, particularly in manufacturing areas, prioritizes immediate job security and fairness, seeing tariffs as a survival strategy against globalization's perceived failures.
This divide is exacerbated by distrust in media, with Pew Research indicating only 22% trust, leading many Americans to dismiss media criticism as out-of-touch elitism. The media's framing of tariffs as reckless contrasts with public perception of them as defiant and necessary, reflecting broader political polarization.
Table: Summary of Reasons for Media Contempt and Public Support
Aspect | Elite Media Reasons for Contempt | Public Reasons for Support |
|---|---|---|
Economic Impact | Raises prices, risks inflation, disrupts supply chains, lowers growth (e.g., NBER studies). | Protects jobs, boosts manufacturing investment, counters job losses. |
Global Relations | Provokes retaliation, risks trade wars, undermines WTO rules (e.g., CNN , CBS News ). | Ensures fair trade, addresses exploitation by foreign countries. |
Cultural Perspective | Isolates America, damages global interaction, contradicts historical role (e.g., Kristof, NYT ). | Symbolizes "America First," rejects globalization, aligns with identity. |
Policy Logic | Seen as nonsensical, based on flawed trade deficit logic (e.g., Furman, NYT ). | Viewed as practical, addressing perceived unfair trade practices. |
Conclusion
The elite media's contempt for Trump's tariffs is driven by economic concerns, global instability fears, and cultural opposition to populism, while their popularity among Americans reflects economic populism, job protection desires, and a rejection of globalization. This divide underscores broader societal tensions, with media narratives clashing with public priorities, particularly in manufacturing regions.
Key Citations
