“Starting the day I take the oath of office I will rapidly drive prices down and we will make America affordable again,” candidate Donald Trump said at an August 14, 2024, rally in North Carolina.
As president in May 2025, while telling cabinet members how his tariffs were impeding the cheap goods invasion from China, Trump said, “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know? And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.” But by November, the president was scrambling to address growing “affordability” concerns. “Americans really want their cheap stuff back,” read the tantalizing headline in Business Insider: “Contrary to the president's suggestion earlier this year, it turns out little girls do need 30 dolls. Or, at least, their families want to be able to afford them.” The problem is much bigger than cheap stuff, though. The New Yorker reported Trump’s concerns about food affordability were why Trump eliminated his new tariffs on imported beef, coffee, and bananas, “all of which have risen sharply in price since he imposed his blanket tariffs.” He has also expressed concern about soaring housing costs. And last week he turned about face on extending Obamacare ACA subsidies (with limits) as skyrocketing health insurance costs loom. McComb Enterprise-Journal editor and publisher Jack Ryan reported why people grumble about food prices. “There are way-above-average price increases among foods that are staples of American kitchens: bakery products, fresh vegetables, frozen juices, coffee, sugar, and candy.” And a Lending Tree survey found that nearly 80% of Americans now feel eating fast food is a luxury. Trump understands the power of the affordability argument since it helped him win in 2024. His concern now is that Democrats will use this powerful argument to make gains in congressional elections next year. The New York mayor election intensified that concern.
This dilemma should not surprise the president. As he indicated back in that May cabinet meeting, he knew his tariffs would cause affordability pains. And, surely, he realized his goal to reshore manufacturing would raise prices too. The reason why so much manufacturing moved offshore was because U.S. companies realized they could profit more and keep prices down by moving production to lower-wage, less regulated countries. Unless their profit motivation has suddenly evaporated, products brought back here for manufacturing will cost more. It does not appear that the president will be able to deliver on his promise to “make America affordable again” any time soon. Certainly not by next year’s elections. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness” – Ephesians 6:12. Crawford is an author and syndicated columnist from Jackson.
8 comments:
Why haven't the Barksdalers picked up Crawford's column? His TDS wold slot in nicely right next to Bobby Harrison.
Everyone knew Trump could not deliver on any promise….their blind hatred for “the other side” drove their vote. Now they own the libs but not a house, a car, or even a bag of groceries. Cut off their noses to spite their faces.
It’s the economy stupid
"It does not appear that the president will be able to deliver on his promise to “make America affordable again” any time soon. Certainly not by next year’s elections".
No one could, or can. Until the fundamentals of what built the nation are restored - it doesn't matter who's in office. They fact that Popeye's and Burger King are having a competition about who has the best chicken sandwich is moot, since the same parent company owns them both. It's all meant to keep you distracted from the gentle slide into Boleshivsm.
I don't know what world Bill Crawford lives in, but in my world things are cheaper.
Haven't the lefties big pharma pals come up with a pill for TDS?
I am safe to drive until I drive us off the cliff!
TDS has replaced Covid.
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