Trump's Tariff Time Warp! Did He Just Rewrite History or Just Make It Up?

By Hera What Was That Announcement?!

Greetings mortals! Wonder Woman here reporting from the front lines of... well reality. It seems President Trump has unveiled a new tariff plan slapping a minimum 10% tax on imported goods worldwide. He believes this will magically strengthen the U.S. economy and vanquish those pesky 'unfair trade practices.' But as Aphrodite is my witness some of his claims are stranger than Ares' fashion sense. He even suggested the Great Depression wouldn't have happened with strong tariffs back then. Did someone slip him a truth serum laced with historical inaccuracies?

The Great Depression: A History Lesson from Themyscira

Now I've seen a few things in my time – from the rise of empires to the fall of villains more powerful than Doomsday. Let me tell you the Great Depression was not caused by a lack of tariffs! According to Dean Baker a very smart economist (though not as smart as me naturally) we didn't just *end* tariffs before the Depression. Congress even tried boosting them with the Smoot Hawley Tariff Act in 1930. But much like Ares' plans it backfired spectacularly deepening the economic woes and raising prices. I have it on good authority as in I used my lasso that economists are baffled by this idea.

The Real Villains: Overproduction and Wonky Monetary Policy

The *real* culprits behind the Great Depression were more complex than a hydra's family tree. Historians point to the stock market crash of 1929 overproduction after World War I and monetary policies that were about as helpful as Lex Luthor at a charity event. The Federal Reserve's attempt to curb market speculation led to fewer loans for consumers which caused the economy to plummet faster than I can fly to Metropolis. So blaming a lack of tariffs is like blaming my invisible jet for a rainy day.

Smoot Hawley: A Trade War Worse Than Themyscira vs. Man's World

Back in the day tariffs accounted for a significant portion of federal revenue. But by 1930 with income taxes in play tariffs were only a fraction of what they once were. Then came the Smoot Hawley Tariff Act placing tariffs on thousands of imported goods to help American farmers. Sounds noble right? Wrong! Other countries retaliated raising their own tariffs on U.S. goods sparking a trade war that froze international trade faster than I can say 'Great Hera!' Prices soared and the Depression worsened. Even 1,000 economists warned President Hoover but he signed it anyway. Sometimes even presidents need a Lasso of Truth intervention!

Fast Forward to 2025: Deja Vu All Over Again?!

Here we are in 2025 and Trump's new tariffs are giving economists a serious case of déjà vu. While the U.S. economy is supposedly stronger now these tariffs are threatening future growth and could trigger a recession faster than you can say 'Economic Armageddon.' According to Baker this is money straight out of people's pockets making them less likely to spend. Businesses are also hesitant to invest creating a ripple effect of doom and gloom. It's like watching Ares plot world domination all over again!

Who Wins? Maybe... Nobody?!

Baker states that it's likely that the policy will not have many winners. Some businesses may benefit from trade barriers but they will be the minority. So while a few companies might survive this economic storm relatively unscathed most will feel the sting of these tariffs. It's like trying to win a fight with one hand tied behind your back while wearing high heels – challenging to say the least. And if you're looking for a career change apparently there's a course for that! But honestly just come to Themyscira. We'll train you to be a warrior princess and you'll never have to worry about tariffs again!