Trump's Tariff Tactics: More Threats Than Action, But Still Effective?

• Donald Trump has imposed more tariffs than any American president in a century, yet a significant number of his threats remain unrealized.
• The recent withdrawal of proposed tariffs on European nations over Greenland exemplifies Trump's strategy of wielding the tariff weapon without always firing it.
• Critics argue that Trump's frequent tariff threats, often followed by retreats, are creating a 'credibility issue' and that other countries are learning his 'playbook'.
• Some tariff retreats, like those against China, occurred after targets threatened reprisal, indicating a potential weakness in the strategy.
• Despite the volatility, Trump claims his tariff readiness has secured trade concessions and revenue, with new import taxes not significantly raising US consumer prices.

Why It Matters: Trump's tariff strategy relies heavily on threats, creating leverage but also raising questions about credibility and long-term effectiveness.