Editorial Board
Trump’s Delight in Disruption Threatens the Economy
Even if his promises on tariffs and taxes mostly come to nothing, they’re causing instability and holding back growth.
Loose lips sink ships.
Photographer: Scott Olson/Getty Images
Just how far President-elect Donald Trump will press his promises on trade and economic policy once he takes office is hard to say. One thing is already apparent: The harms won’t be limited to the direct consequences of his actual policies. Even if his commitments in the end amount to little, they’re already burdening companies, unsettling financial markets and confounding prudent monetary policy.
At best, that means slower growth. At worst, it could scare investors enough to tip the economy into a severe contraction.