Tariffs, Tensions, and Tech: Breaking Down Trump’s 2025 Trade Gambit

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Alright, y’all, welcome back to The New Sentinel. Frank here, and today we’re wrangling with tariffs—those big ol’ price tags slapped on imports. Now, I know “tariff” sounds like something you’d find in a dusty economics textbook, but stick with us. We’re talkin’ 60% or more on Chinese goods, and—get this—up to 200% on vehicles from Mexico. That’s not just a number on a spreadsheet. That’s a wall, or maybe a shield, dependin’ how you look at it.

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

Yeah, Frank, and like, it’s not just about keeping out the competition, right? These tariffs are supposed to protect U.S. manufacturing—like, give our folks a fighting chance. And, um, the government’s looking at almost $900 billion a year in revenue if these stick. That’s a lotta crawfish boils, y’all! But seriously, that’s money that could go into schools, roads, or, you know, disaster relief when the next hurricane rolls through.

Chijioke Eze

You know, Evie, in Nigeria we say, “When the drum beats loud, the dancers must follow.” These tariffs—they make a lot of noise. But they also give America a strong hand in negotiations. Countries like Vietnam, the UK, Japan—they all have to listen when the U.S. brings tariffs to the table. It’s leverage, pure and simple. But, ah, sometimes the music changes before the dance is done.

Carlos Estevez

And, look, from a tech guy’s angle, it’s not just about the money. It’s about power. If you can threaten tariffs, you can get better deals—maybe force a country to open up their markets or play fair. But, uh, Frank, you mentioned seeing this play out in your own backyard, right?

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Yeah, Carlos. So, picture this: my old hometown in Texas, used to be all tumbleweeds and shuttered plants. Then, after some of these trade policies kicked in, I saw a couple factories fire up again. Folks I grew up with—guys who’d been outta work for years—suddenly had jobs on the line. Now, I gotta ask: does real protection mean real jobs for folks on the ground, or is it just a flash in the pan? Y’all still with me, or did I lose ya in the weeds?

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

No, Frank, I’m right there with you. It’s like, the promise is real, but I always wonder—how long does it last? And who’s really getting the benefit? Is it the workers, or just the big companies?

Carlos Estevez

So, let’s flip the coin. These tariffs, they’re not all sunshine, right? I mean, imported cars—up 12%. That’s not just a number, that’s your neighbor’s new ride costing thousands more. And don’t even get me started on tech. I saw a projection—iPhones could hit $2,300. That’s wild. Who’s buying that?

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

Oh, totally, Carlos. And, like, it’s not just the sticker shock. Down in Louisiana, I know this auto parts supplier—family-run, been around since my grandpa’s day. They’re getting squeezed hard. Their costs are up, but they can’t just pass it all on to customers, right? So, they’re stuck in the middle, trying to keep the lights on and not lay off their crew. It’s, um, a real mess for small businesses.

Chijioke Eze

Evie, that’s the thing. When the river floods, it doesn’t just wash away one farm. These tariffs—they disrupt the whole supply chain. Tech, autos, you name it. Parts from China, Taiwan, Vietnam—they all get more expensive. And, ah, when business leaders see this kind of unpredictability, they hesitate. Investors get nervous. Long-term plans? They go out the window. In the army, we used to say, “If you don’t know where the landmines are, you walk slow.” That’s what’s happening now—everyone’s walking slow.

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Chijioke, you nailed it. I mean, back in the oil patch, if the rules changed every week, nobody’d drill a well. You gotta have some certainty, or folks just sit on their hands. And that’s what I’m hearing from some of my old buddies in finance—they’re spooked. They don’t know if they should invest or just wait it out.

Carlos Estevez

Yeah, and it’s not just the big shots. It’s regular people, too. If prices keep jumping, folks might hold off on buying a car, or a new phone, or even just upgrading their home tech. That ripples out—hurts everyone, not just the companies at the top.

Chijioke Eze

But, you know, every storm brings new rivers. Some companies are looking to bring production back home—reshoring, they call it. Or they’re finding new partners, like Vietnam. That could mean more jobs here, or at least less risk if one country decides to play hardball. And, ah, when things get tough, people get creative—automation, new materials, all that. Sometimes, pressure makes diamonds.

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

Yeah, Chijioke, and like, I’ve seen some of that in the coastal parishes. Folks are hustling to find new suppliers, or even inventing ways to use local resources. But, um, there’s a flip side. China’s hitting back with 34% tariffs, and the EU’s got their own—20% on some U.S. goods. That’s a lotta tit-for-tat, and it’s scary for anyone who depends on exports.

Carlos Estevez

Evie, that’s exactly it. I keep thinking about this ransomware attack I dealt with back in 2017—Miami business, totally blindsided. One day, everything’s fine, next day, chaos. That’s what these trade wars feel like for companies that rely on exports. You never know when the next hit’s coming. And, uh, Deloitte’s saying U.S. GDP growth could drop below 1% in 2026 if this keeps up. That’s not just a blip—that’s a slowdown you feel in your wallet.

Franklin "Frank" McAllister

Carlos, that’s a good point. It’s like, you can build a fence to keep out trouble, but sometimes you end up locking yourself in, too. I reckon the next few years’ll show if these tariffs are a shield, a sword, or just a heavy load for everyone to carry. We’ll be here to keep an eye on it, that’s for sure.

Evangeline "Evie" Dugas

Y’all, this was a wild ride. Thanks for breaking it down with me. I’m already looking forward to what we dig into next time.