, Columnist
US Trade Deals Come With Defense Strings Attached
Washington is weaponizing tariffs and using national security as a bargaining chip.
Defense is being used as a bargaining chip.
Photographer: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
We have entered a dark era of trade deals, one where Washington now openly links national security to success. If countries want lower tariffs, they have to meet President Donald Trump’s defense demands.
It’s working. Last week, the White House cut deals with Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan, granting them lower rates than Trump’s threatened tariffs. In exchange, they have had to sign up to vaguely worded commitments on defense and national security.