Donald Trump’s policies on trade and welfare draw from a combination of his long-held personal beliefs, certain strands of Republican Party history, and conservative economic philosophies.
Trade War (Protectionism):
* Long-held personal conviction: Trump has advocated for tariffs and protectionist trade policies since the 1980s. He has consistently expressed the view that other countries have taken advantage of the United States through unfavorable trade deals, leading to job losses and a decline in American manufacturing. His core belief is that trade deficits are inherently harmful.
* “America First” ideology: His trade policies are a central component of his “America First” agenda, which prioritizes domestic industries, jobs, and economic security over global trade agreements.
* Historical Republican roots: While the Republican Party largely embraced free trade after the Cold War, it had a strong protectionist tradition from the days of Abraham Lincoln through the early 20th century. Trump has cited figures like William McKinley as influences on his anti-free trade views, arguing that the GOP “betrayed its roots” by becoming pro-free trade.
* Influence of advisors: During his campaigns, advisors like Peter Navarro, a strong proponent of tariffs, helped shape and articulate his trade policy.
* Addressing perceived unfair practices: The trade war with China, for example, was framed as a response to what the Trump administration considered unfair trade practices, intellectual property theft, and forced technology transfers by China.
Closing Welfare Institutions (Welfare Reform):
* Emphasis on work requirements and self-sufficiency: Trump’s approach to welfare programs has been largely driven by a belief that able-bodied adults receiving benefits should be required to work, participate in job training, or volunteer. This is rooted in the idea of promoting “self-sufficiency” and reducing what he views as “welfare dependency.”
* Fiscal conservatism: The desire to reduce federal spending and “protect taxpayer dollars” is also a significant driver behind proposals to tighten welfare eligibility and reduce program expenditures.
* Legacy of 1990s welfare reform: While Trump’s administration sought to expand work requirements, the concept itself is not new. The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act of 1996, signed by President Bill Clinton, significantly reformed welfare and introduced stricter work requirements. Trump’s policies build upon and seek to further extend these types of reforms.
* Criticism of “misplaced priorities”: The Trump administration has argued that welfare programs have deviated from their original purpose of assisting the “truly needy” and have instead expanded to include millions of able-bodied adults.
It’s important to note that while these policies have clear philosophical underpinnings, their implementation and impact have been subjects of considerable debate and economic analysis.