Bulwark Takes: "Trump’s a Dunce. Don’t Blow This Dems!" – Detailed Summary
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Host/Author: The Bulwark
Participants: Mona Charen, Jonathan Cohn, Joe Scarborough, Charlie Sykes
Introduction
In the April 9, 2025 episode of Bulwark Takes, The Bulwark team delves into the latest developments in U.S. trade policy, focusing on former President Donald Trump's abrupt decision to pause tariffs and the Democratic response—or lack thereof. Host Charlie Sykes, along with Mona Charen, Jonathan Cohn, and Joe Scarborough, navigate the complexities of tariff policies, their economic implications, and the political maneuvers surrounding them.
Trump’s Tariff Pause: An Unexpected Move
The episode kicks off with the shocking announcement that Trump has paused tariffs for 90 days, a move that immediately raises eyebrows and questions about its motivations and implications.
Mona Charen expresses her astonishment:
"Oh, my God. Jesus." [00:26]
Jonathan Cohn seeks clarification:
"Wait, what? So now the tariffs are paused for 90 days." [00:20]
Charlie Sykes examines the calm in the markets despite the turmoil:
"The markets are remarkably calm right now... I'm assuming that for some reason people are panicking less today despite some weird things that are happening." [00:28]
Democratic Response: Fragmented and Ineffective
The team critiques the Democrats' fragmented approach to opposing Trump's tariff policies. They argue that instead of presenting a unified front, Democratic leaders are sending mixed messages, undermining their effectiveness.
Charlie Sykes points out Gretchen Whitmer's ambiguous stance:
"Gretchen Whitmer came out today and was like, tariffs may be good... it's only my... view of things." [01:48]
Joe Scarborough elaborates on the lack of cohesion:
"There's a real lack of cohesion amongst their message... they're trying to waffle on this old held Democratic policy, which is a little bit protectionist." [02:02]
Mona Charen emphasizes the Democrats' indecisiveness:
"They have been flailing, looking for what, how do we respond? It's so bleeding obvious. He is tanking not just the American economy, but the world economy right before our eyes." [04:28]
Economic Implications: Uncertainty and Instability
The sudden pause in tariffs introduces significant uncertainty for businesses, particularly small enterprises struggling to plan amidst erratic policy shifts.
Jonathan Cohn discusses the impact on small businesses:
"They are in more or less the same boat they were before... they can't plan. They are basically just hoping that Trump lands somewhere where those tariffs are low." [13:04]
Charlie Sykes criticizes the unpredictability:
"If you've got to sit around and wait for a signal from this guy in order to plan your businesses... that's not a great way to run a country." [15:15]
Jonathan Cohn highlights the broader economic dangers:
"The uncertainty alone... is deadly for the economy because businesses are not going to invest if they don't know what the environment's going to look like." [14:10]
The Trade War with China: Missteps and Consequences
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Trump's trade policies towards China, revealing strategic miscalculations that have strengthened rather than weakened China's economic stance.
Mona Charen critiques Trump's approach to multinational trade agreements:
"He tanked the TPP, which would have been a free trade arrangement with our partners in the east against China... he's making it a one on one thing between us and China." [17:04]
Charlie Sykes explores the ramifications of alienating allies:
"He's making it a one on one thing... their perception now has to be, they'd be insane to draw any other conclusion other than the United States is no longer the leader of the free world." [17:04]
Jonathan Cohn adds that targeted tariffs would be more effective:
"The most effective way to do that is to have lots of other friends. We want to be sourcing to... you're going to have to get them from other countries." [20:45]
Political Ramifications: Capitalizing on Chaos
The episode examines how Democrats could leverage Trump's inconsistent policies to their advantage, though skepticism remains about their ability to unify their message.
Joe Scarborough suggests a potential Democratic victory lap:
"They could say the pressure got to him. The market's reaction, the bond market's reaction spoke for itself. It is bad policy." [10:43]
Mona Charen anticipates Republican narratives:
"The Republicans were all saying that the tariffs were genius policy. And they're also going to say that the pause on tariffs is genius policy." [11:22]
Joe Scarborough reflects on Republican perspectives:
"They still believe that it's a negotiation." [18:37]
Impact on Trust and Global Standing
A critical discussion point is the erosion of global trust in the United States due to erratic trade policies, which has long-term implications beyond immediate economic metrics.
Mona Charen underscores the lasting damage:
"Business people have realized how fragile the whole system... the United States cannot be trusted as an ally." [19:37]
Charlie Sykes emphasizes the intangible costs:
"The loss of trust in the United States has real dollars and cents values. It has moral value... you will measure it over the next few years." [20:45]
Conclusion: Navigating an Unpredictable Future
As the episode draws to a close, the panel acknowledges the ongoing uncertainty and the pressing need for coherent policy responses. They stress that without a unified and clear stance from Democrats, Trump's unpredictable actions will continue to destabilize both the economy and international relations.
Charlie Sykes wraps up with a call for strategic clarity:
"You can't measure that in the market today, but we will measure it over the next few years for sure." [20:45]
Mona Charen reiterates the necessity for trusted leadership:
"They have to get over the idea that they're going to be bringing back... Democrats need to just be against it, full-heartedly say this is madness." [06:13]
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Mona Charen: "He is unpredictable. He is bringing down the economy by being so irresponsible." [07:45]
- Joe Scarborough: "This uncertainty alone... is deadly for the economy." [14:10]
- Charlie Sykes: "If you're not getting raw materials, you're just going to have to get them from other countries." [20:45]
- Jonathan Cohn: "Businesses are not going to invest if they don't know what the environment's going to look like." [14:10]
Final Thoughts
Bulwark Takes effectively dissects the turbulent landscape of U.S. trade policies under Trump's leadership, highlighting the dire need for a cohesive Democratic strategy. The panel's insightful analysis underscores the broader economic and geopolitical repercussions of erratic tariff implementations and the erosion of international trust in America’s economic stewardship.
For listeners seeking a comprehensive understanding of the current trade dynamics and political strategies, this episode provides a nuanced perspective, enriched with critical quotes and expert commentary.