An Expert Now Pinpoints The Moment Trump Began ‘Spiraling’

July 8, 2025 — President Donald Trump has intensified his trade war rhetoric, announcing new punitive tariffs on 14 nations on July 7, 2025, as part of his ongoing “90 Deals in 90 Days” initiative.

The move, which targets countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Serbia, and Bangladesh, has sparked global pushback and growing domestic skepticism, with polls indicating a sharp decline in public approval of Trump’s trade policies.

As markets remain volatile and economic uncertainty mounts, analysts question the long-term viability of the administration’s approach.

On Monday, July 7, 2025, Trump sent letters to the leaders of 14 countries, threatening tariffs ranging from 30% to 36% unless they address what he calls “longstanding trade imbalances” with the United States.

The targeted nations include Thailand (key exports: computers, teleprinters, rubber products), Cambodia (apparel, footwear), Serbia (tires, machinery), and Bangladesh (cotton, apparel), among others.

Trump’s letters, posted on Truth Social, warned of severe consequences for retaliation, stating, “Any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs… will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs.”

This follows earlier tariff actions, including a 25% duty on imports from Japan and South Korea, which drew condemnation from the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board for disrupting the economic benefits of Trump’s tax-cut legislation, the “One Big, Beautiful Bill Act.”

The board argued that the tariffs would directly raise costs for American consumers, noting that the U.S. imported $280 billion in goods from these two nations in 2024.

Public and Market Reactions

Despite Trump’s claims that tariffs protect American industries, recent polling shows growing public disapproval.

According to CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten, only 35% of Americans approved of Trump’s trade policies in June 2025, down from 60% during his campaign in September 2024.

Among independents, approval is even lower at 30%.

Enten noted a significant shift in sentiment, with 57% of voters now saying tariffs hurt the economy, up from 39% last year.

“Voters feel about tariffs the way folks felt about New Coke in the mid-1980s: They love them in theory and hate them in practice,” Enten said on CNN News Central.

Global markets have shown mixed responses.

While Monday’s tariff announcements did not immediately rattle markets, earlier tariff waves have caused significant volatility.

The Dow, which hit 42,000 in early April during Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariff rollout, has since dropped 7% as trade tensions escalated.

FedEx reported a 30% decline in trans-Pacific container shipments compared to last year, with CFO John Dietrich citing an additional $170 million in costs due to tariffs.

Critics argue that Trump’s tariff strategy is both economically disruptive and legally questionable.

A May 28, 2025, ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade struck down Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” as illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, with even a Trump-appointed judge concurring.

The decision, hailed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes as a “win for law and freedom,” is under appeal, with potential escalation to the Supreme Court.

Economists have also expressed bafflement at Trump’s focus on bilateral trade deficits, which many consider a flawed metric.

The New York Times reported on April 9, 2025, that experts view Trump’s approach as disconnected from modern trade dynamics, with University of Michigan professor Justin Wolfers calling recent tariff reversals “basically nothing” in terms of substantive policy change.

Internationally, responses have been sharp.

China, facing U.S. tariffs as high as 145%, retaliated with 125% tariffs on American goods, contributing to a projected 0.2% decline in global merchandise trade.

Beijing accused the U.S. of “nationalist protectionism,” while Moscow criticized Trump’s threats against BRICS nations.

Also Read: Pro Trump Farmers Now Admit They Can’t Find American Workers

Policy Shifts and Missed Deadlines

Trump’s “90 Deals in 90 Days” pledge, initially set to conclude by July 9, 2025, has faltered.

White House trade advisor Peter Navarro admitted to MSNBC that negotiations with many countries are stalled, blaming trading partners for “dragging their heels.”

Trump has signaled he may extend the deadline to August 1, a move that has drawn skepticism about his administration’s credibility.

Reports also suggest internal doubts within the administration.

A Politico source described Trump’s tariff threats as a “theatrical show” meant to grab attention rather than achieve concrete outcomes.

This aligns with Trump’s April 2025 reversal on some tariffs after markets signaled recession risks, a decision that prompted economist Justin Wolfers to note that markets were “ecstatic” at the retreat.

The tariffs’ ripple effects are already evident.

NBC News correspondent Christine Romans warned on April 24, 2025, that Americans could see empty store shelves within weeks due to reduced shipping volumes.

“There are 30% fewer containers on the water today than a year ago,” she said, attributing the decline to Trump’s trade policies.

Consumers are also bracing for higher prices.

Financial Times columnist Gillian Tett, appearing on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, labeled Trump’s April “Economic Liberation Day” as “Economic Lunacy Day,” citing plunging consumer confidence and rising inflation expectations.

The Wall Street Journal noted that tariffs on South Korea and Japan alone could significantly increase costs for electronics, vehicles, and other goods.

As Trump’s trade war continues, its political and economic toll is becoming clearer.

While the president insists tariffs will boost domestic manufacturing, critics argue they risk isolating the U.S. economically and alienating allies like Canada, which responded to U.S. duties with matching tariffs.

Former ambassador Bruce Heyman called the tariffs a “mistake” that violates existing trade agreements.

With the August 1 deadline looming and legal battles ongoing, the trajectory of Trump’s trade policies remains uncertain.

For now, the combination of public disapproval, market volatility, and international resistance suggests that the president’s tariff gamble may be losing its luster.

Also Read: MAGA Now Scrutinize Trump Over Epstein Client List Failure

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