The bizarre way Trump’s team calculated reciprocal tariffs

internet speculation, the White House confirmed the math behind U.S. President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs. Andrew Chang breaks down the formula used to determine what each country owes and explains why the math is misleading. In 2025, Trump's team proposed a controversial method for calculating reciprocal tariffs, aiming to match other countries' duties on U.S. goods. Instead of using traditional trade-weighted averages, they reportedly considered peak tariff rates or selectively applied higher rates, leading to accusations of economic manipulation. Critics argued the approach was arbitrary, risked escalating trade wars, and could harm U.S. consumers and businesses. Supporters claimed it pressured trading partners to lower barriers. The unusual calculations sparked debates over fairness, transparency, and the potential fallout for global trade.