The Ben Shapiro Show: Ep. 2168 - TRADE WAR: Trump Declares Massive Car Tariffs

Release Date: March 28, 2025
Host: Ben Shapiro
Platform: The Daily Wire

1. Political Landscape and Republican Warning Signs

Ben Shapiro opens the episode by reflecting on historical political cycles, cautioning Republicans against complacency. He draws parallels to past assumptions of invincibility within the GOP, such as post-2004 and post-2012 election periods, emphasizing that political dominance is never guaranteed.

"Every politician has to build their own coalition. That is not the truth." ([04:15])

Shapiro underscores the importance of President Trump's administration being successful, highlighting initiatives like dismantling DEI programs, restructuring education, combating waste and fraud in government spending, and restoring American military prowess.

2. Analysis of President Trump's Narrow Victory and Implications

Shapiro scrutinizes President Trump's 2024 election victory over Kamala Harris, pointing out its narrower margins than many Republicans acknowledge. He argues that this slim win leaves room for potential shifts in voter sentiment.

"President Trump won 77.3 million votes, and Kamala Harris won 75 million votes. That is a solid electoral victory, but not a giant blowout." ([10:45])

He warns that such narrow margins mean that even minor vote swings could alter future electoral outcomes, citing Pennsylvania's Lancaster County special election as a case where Democrats flipped a traditionally GOP stronghold.

3. Special Elections and House Majority Concerns

Shapiro discusses recent electoral surprises, notably the Democratic gain in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He emphasizes the precariousness of the Republican House majority, especially after President Trump withdrew Elise Stefanik's nomination for UN Ambassador due to the House's slim margins.

"The House of Representatives is on a knife's edge. You can't pull good congresspeople from their districts to serve in other aspects of the executive branch." ([12:30])

He further explores the competitive nature of Florida's 6th congressional district, highlighting significant Democratic investment and the precariousness of previously safe Republican seats.

4. The Imposition of 25% Car Tariffs

The core of the episode centers on President Trump's announcement of a 25% tariff on all cars not made in the United States, effective April 2, 2025. Shapiro details the specifics, including the exemption previously granted to major automakers like General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford.

"President Trump announced 25% tariffs on all cars not made in the United States. These are going to go into effect on April 2." ([16:00])

He explains that while Tesla remains largely unaffected due to its domestic manufacturing, other major manufacturers face significant import taxes, impacting a substantial portion of their vehicles.

5. Impact on US Auto Industry and Consumers

Shapiro delves into the implications of the new tariffs for American consumers and the auto industry. He highlights that many vehicles, despite being branded as American, have substantial foreign manufacturing components.

"For Ford, only 78% of Fords are assembled in the United States. So 22% of all Ford vehicles are going to hit with a 25% tax." ([20:10])

He argues that consumers will inevitably face higher car prices as manufacturers pass on the costs, asserting that this contradicts the intended economic benefits.

6. International Reactions and Trade Relations

The episode covers international responses, particularly from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who criticized the tariffs and signaled ongoing negotiations.

"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen quickly criticized the new U.S. tariffs and vowed the EU will continue to seek negotiated solutions." ([19:50])

Shapiro discusses the broader geopolitical ramifications, including strained relations with Canada. He analyzes how Canadian leadership under Mark Carney is capitalizing on the trade tensions to strengthen ties with China, contrary to President Trump's objectives.

"Canada will start reorienting its economy toward China, which is the opposite of what the Trump administration would like to see." ([22:00])

7. Economic Implications and Market Reactions

Shapiro explores the potential economic fallout from the tariffs, warning of increased uncertainty in the markets. He notes the possible erosion of President Trump's approval ratings if the tariffs negatively impact the economy.

"President Trump's approval rating takes a big dip over the tariffs' impact on the economy." ([23:50])

He emphasizes the need for predictable economic policies to maintain investor confidence, cautioning that continued uncertainty could lead to market withdrawals and hinder the administration's broader agenda.

8. Additional Trump Administration Issues

a. Signal Gate Scandal

Shapiro addresses the ongoing Signal Gate scandal, where classified military plans were inadvertently shared with journalist Jeffrey Goldberg. He critiques Democratic attempts to politicize the mishandling, asserting that the public remains largely indifferent.

"Democrats exaggerating the risk here is pretty ridiculous." ([39:00])

He references polling data indicating that a majority of Americans do not perceive the incident as a significant legal breach, minimizing its political impact.

b. Immigration Crackdown

The episode touches on the Trump administration's stringent immigration policies, particularly the deportation of individuals linked to terrorist activities. Shapiro supports the administration's clarity in visa revocations, arguing it is necessary for national security.

"If you express support for a terrorist organization, you shouldn't have been granted a visa in the first place." ([43:59])

He advocates for transparent communication regarding deportation reasons to prevent backlash and reinforce policy legitimacy.

c. UK's Ninja Swords Ban

Shapiro briefly comments on the UK’s new law banning ninja swords, labeling it as a misguided effort to curb crime.

"This is just hands. Hands are banned. People do strangulation and assault with them." ([46:30])

He criticizes the legislation as ineffective, suggesting it will lead to alternative forms of weaponry rather than reducing violence.

9. Cultural Commentary: Critique of the New Snow White Movie

In a lighter segment, Shapiro and co-host Caroline Levitt critique the latest Snow White movie, accusing it of overhauling the original story with liberal ideologies. They argue that the remake dilutes essential character traits and societal structures inherent in the classic tale.

"Every deviation from the original story was done in favor of liberalism, making it much more boring and less realistic." ([56:00])

Shapiro laments the loss of traditional narratives and character dynamics, asserting that modern reinterpretations weaken cultural storytelling.

10. Conclusion and Forward Look

Shapiro wraps up by reinforcing the importance of the Trump administration's success in maintaining economic stability amid aggressive trade policies. He expresses optimism that President Trump can pivot if market conditions deteriorate, ensuring the broader agenda remains intact.

"If things go the wrong way, I think he's going to shift and move. And I'm hoping that what these tariffs really are about are prying some sort of serious concession out of Canada." ([24:30])

He concludes with a tease about an upcoming discussion on a new book alleging Democrats had a plan to remove Joe Biden as early as 2023, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for further insights.

Notable Quotes:

• "President Trump's popularity is not, in fact, transferable to every single other Republican candidate." ([05:20])

• "Tariffs are designed to make foreign imports more expensive, allowing domestic manufacturers to increase their own prices." ([21:45])

• "The left was responsible for the wild growth in government regulations." ([26:30])

Summary:

In this episode, Ben Shapiro provides a comprehensive analysis of President Trump's latest trade policy—imposing significant tariffs on imported cars—and its multifaceted implications. He navigates through the intricacies of political dynamics within the GOP, the potential vulnerabilities of Trump's narrow electoral victory, and the precarious state of the House majority. Shapiro critically examines the economic rationale behind the tariffs, their impact on both the auto industry and consumers, and the international backlash, particularly from Europe and Canada. He warns of potential market instability and declining approval ratings if the administration's economic strategies falter.

Beyond trade, Shapiro addresses ancillary Trump administration issues, including the Signal Gate scandal and stringent immigration policies, defending the administration's actions against Democratic critiques. He also offers a cultural critique of the new Snow White movie, lamenting its departure from traditional storytelling in favor of liberal ideology.

Throughout the episode, Shapiro emphasizes the importance of vigilance within the Republican ranks, the necessity for the Trump administration to maintain policy success without missteps, and the broader implications of aggressive trade policies on both national and international stages.