Analysis by WorldTribune Staff, October 17, 2024 Contract With Our Readers
It was the equivalent of scoring 10 runs in the first inning with your ace on the mound.
Donald Trump obliterated Bloomberg Editor-In-Chief John Micklethwait at the Economic Club of Chicago on Tuesday.
On tariffs, Trump told Micklethwait: "It must be hard for you to spend 25 years talking about tariffs as being negative and then have somebody explain to you that you're wrong."
"It’s going to have a massive effect, positive effect," Trump said. "The higher the tariff, the more likely it is that the company will come into the United States, and build a factory in the United States so it doesn’t have to pay the tariff."
Trump's economic plan includes a 60% levy on imports from China and 10% duties on the rest of the world. Trump also vowed to block the sale of U.S. Steel Corp. to Nippon Steel Corp. if the $14.1 billion transaction wasn't concluded by the time he reenters office.
Urgent: Support Free Press Foundation
On inflation. Micklethwait noted that the Wall Street Journal says Trump's economic plan will increase the national debt by more than $7 trillion.
Trump replied:
"What does the Wall Street Journal know? They've been wrong about everything. And so have you, by the way..."
"You're trying to turn this into a debate," Micklethwait replied, to which Trump said: "It's not a debate, but you've been wrong all your life on this stuff."
Trump then roasted the federal reserve, saying "It's the greatest job in government. You show up to the office once a month and say, 'Hmm, let's flip a coin,' and everybody talks about you like you're a god."
Micklethwait noted that Democrat candidate Kamala Harris refused to appear to discuss her "economic vision." That may have been the best move the Harris campaign has made over the past couple of rough weeks.
The full Trump interview:
