Trump’s Tariff Pause: Market Chaos Explained!

Join Big John and Mike ter Maat on Liberty Lens as they unpack the chaos surrounding President Trump’s tariff policies and their sudden 90-day pause. This episode explores the economic fallout, including a 10% S&P surge following a 14% drop, flawed tariff calculations rooted in mercantilism, and the White House’s missteps in communication and execution. From stock market volatility to tensions with China and the potential threat to the U.S. dollar’s reserve status, the hosts break down how these policies impact everyday Americans and global trade. Expect sharp insights from two ex-Wall Street veterans on why tariffs aren’t the answer and what cutting spending could achieve instead.

Chapters:
00:00:03 Intro: Welcome to Liberty Lens
00:00:51 Tariff Pause & Market Surge Reaction
00:01:58 How Trump’s Tariffs Were Calculated
00:05:38 Mercantilism’s Revival in White House Policy
00:09:50 Free Trade vs. Trump’s Economic Vision
00:11:11 Musk vs. Navarro: Tariff Drama Unfolds
00:14:55 Market Crash and White House Spin
00:17:20 Tariff Math Gone Wrong Explained
00:20:38 Tariffs Hit Allies Like Australia
00:22:29 Trump Pauses Tariffs, China Stays Targeted
00:25:02 Rand Paul Slams Tariffs as Unconstitutional
00:28:24 Who Believes Tariffs Help America?
00:31:21 Can Tariffs Force China to Negotiate?
00:34:41 Small Businesses Crushed by Tariffs
00:36:19 Treasury Yields & Investor Confidence Drop
00:40:37 China’s Nuclear Option: Dumping U.S. Bonds
00:46:24 A Simpler Fix: Cut Spending, Not Trade