Maddow Blog-The only thing consistent about the White House's tariffs are the inconsistencies

[LetMyPeopleVote]

An erratic White House has created months’ worth of chaos, undermining international confidence in the United States, its economy and its leadership.

In case this isn't obvious, we haven't reached an all's-well-that-ends-well moment.

An erratic White House has created months’ worth of chaos, undermining global confidence in the United States. The recovery, if it happens, will not come soon. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-04-09T19:22:53.946Z

In case this isn't obvious, we haven't reached an all's-well-that-ends-well moment.

An erratic White House has created months’ worth of chaos, undermining global confidence in the United States. The recovery, if it happens, will not come soon.

Link to tweet

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/only-thing-consistent-thing-white-houses-tariffs-are-inconsistencies-rcna200488

Imagine you’re an executive at an American company that relies at least in part on imports and exports. As part of your day-to-day responsibilities, you have to make decisions about product purchases, shipping, staffing and investments that will shape your business’ future.

Then imagine you saw a timeline like this one:

Feb. 1: Trump announces the imposition of new tariffs on the United States’ three largest trading partners — Canada, Mexico and China — and says there is nothing anyone can do to delay the policy.

Feb. 3: The American president backs off, claiming he’s made some last-minute deals that effectively did not exist.

March 4: Trump again announces that he’s imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China.

March 5: He exempts auto makers from his policy.

March 6: Trump issues another round of broad exemptions for a wide range of goods.

April 2: In a speech filled with bizarre lies, president announces it’s “Liberation Day” and unveils sweeping international tariffs based on a formula that was quickly exposed as gibberish.

April 3 to April 8: The president, White House officials, congressional Republicans and their allies insist there is simply no way that Trump would back down under pressure as his tariff policy rocks global markets and raises the specter of a recession.

April 9: Trump backs down under pressure, pausing much — but not all — of his failing policy.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told reporters after the reversal, “[T]his was his strategy all along.”

And if you believe that, I have a degree from Trump University that I’d love to sell you......

Indeed, it’s important to emphasize that Trump’s reversal does not create an “all’s well that ends well” dynamic. An erratic White House has created months’ worth of chaos, undermining international confidence in the United States, its economy and its leadership. Complicating matters, the new policy — at least for now — is still likely to undermine the economy, and no one seems altogether sure exactly what the new tariff rates are for our largest trading partners.

This is a fiasco for the ages, and it’s difficult to say when, or if, the United States’ standing will recover.

[BigmanPigman]

1. I say that when I see my doctor

Since every physical ailment I have is not "normal" the only way I can express my issues clearly and quickly I say, "the only thing consistent is it's inconsistency".