When Donald Trump first promised to “drain the swamp,” he was tapping into the frustration many Americans felt about the power of political elites in Washington, D.C. But what if his plan to raise tariffs actually makes the swamp bigger and slimier than ever?
Trump has floated some pretty hefty tariff proposals, like a 25% tax on goods from Mexico and Canada, 10% on Chinese imports, and even across-the-board tariffs of 10 to 20%. While this sounds like an effort to level the playing field, a Wall Street Journal columnist, Merrill Matthews, warns that these tariffs could empower the very elites Trump promised to fight.
How? Well, tariffs create new problems that need solutions. Companies hit by the new taxes will scramble to get help—turning to lobbyists, trade groups, and PR firms to argue their case. And guess what? These lobbyists have access to lawmakers and government officials, often through fancy dinners and backroom deals. The more the tariffs threaten businesses, the more they’ll spend to win favor in Washington.
Matthews fears that, instead of draining the swamp, Trump’s tariffs could fill it up with more power-hungry elites. In the end, the very people Trump vowed to take on could find themselves more powerful than ever.
It’s a classic case of unintended consequences—one where the swamp might just grow instead of drain.
What do you think? Will Trump’s tariffs end up feeding the swamp, or will they truly make a change?
