Trump, Musk And D.O.G.E Are Dominating Americans And The Global Economy

In recent days, social media in the US has been constantly mentioning four hot keywords: President Donald Trump, tariffs, Elon Musk and the Government Efficiency Office (DOGE). These topics not only reflect a time of turbulence in the US political and economic landscape, but also reveal far-reaching consequences for international trade and the operations of state agencies.

1. ‘MAGAnomics’ and Trump’s Trade Tariff Strategy The Trump administration is currently taking a series of heavy-handed measures to combat corruption, crack down on “money laundering” and reassert U.S. leadership on the world stage. In particular, tariff policy is said to be the main “tool” to confront trading partners such as Canada, Mexico and China. In the government’s view, these measures are necessary to curb the flow of illicit goods — including drug trafficking — and work toward a “fairer” trade regime. However, from the very beginning, this policy has encountered many opposing opinions. Leading economists, such as Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, have warned that “most economists believe that the impact of tariffs will be very negative, not only for the US but also for the global economy.” The figures show that while imports increased by 4% to reach $293.1 billion in December, there is also a risk of rising consumer prices due to soaring import costs.
2. Direct Impact on Businesses and Consumers The uncertainty of the international trade environment is causing many domestic businesses to ‘erode’ psychologically. Manufacturing and processing enterprises - from breweries like Hop Butcher For the World in Chicago to food supply chain restaurants - are concerned about the impact of tariffs on the prices of raw materials. For example, Jeremiah Zimmer, co-owner of a famous brewery, expressed concern that “aluminum and barley - the main ingredients we use - originate from countries affected by tariffs from Canada, Mexico, and China.” Similarly, Scott Weiner, owner of a restaurant chain, warned that food prices are rising due to tariffs, forcing businesses to pass on the cost burden to consumers. Not only affecting the domestic market, these measures also have negative impacts on neighboring countries. Mexico - where 35% of its total exports are directed to the U.S., including automobiles, machinery, alcohol, and petroleum - could suffer severe damage if the trade war escalates. Therefore, immediately, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has conducted urgent negotiations with the Trump administration to avoid the imposition of tougher measures.
3. China’s Reaction and International Law Trump’s tariff policy has faced strong opposition from China. According to information from the New York Times, Beijing has accused Trump’s allegations of China’s role in the trade of fentanyl as ‘baseless and untrue’. At the same time, China has officially lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), stating that the US tariffs are protectionist and discriminatory, violating international trade rules. Although some argue that the ban on accessing the US market may put pressure on China’s economy, the reality shows that the country has demonstrated outstanding adaptability - as in the case of the artificial intelligence company DeepSeek with its newly launched chatbot, proving that innovation and technological capabilities do not solely depend on a large budget. This raises the question of whether Trump’s ‘joint efforts’ strategy is truly effective in an era where technological flexibility and innovation play a crucial role.
4. Elon Musk and the Government Efficiency Office (DOGE): Controversial Intervention Not only limited to trade strategy, recently, the steps of billionaire Elon Musk along with the (DOGE) Government Efficiency Department have also created a wave of controversy in the US political and administrative circles. According to a widely circulated announcement on Twitter - which includes the participation of Hillary Clinton - Musk and his team have approached the payment system of the US Treasury, an important system responsible for distributing trillions of dollars from the tax budget. This action immediately prompted federal employee unions and legal experts to speak out. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a team of 20 lawyers, filed a lawsuit, alleging that accessing this system is a clear “abuse of power,” posing a risk of diminishing the functioning capacity of state regulatory agencies. Although Musk and Trump both believe that ‘optimizing’ government operations will bring efficiency and cost savings, experts are concerned that, in the context of personnel and budget cuts, important agencies such as processing asylum requests, tax collection, and ensuring social security will no longer have the capacity to meet the needs of the people.
5. Review and Evaluate the Future The fluctuations in tariff policies and the ‘reform’ initiatives from key figures such as Trump and Musk have created a volatile environment for the US economy and global trade. While some believe these measures are necessary to bring the US to new heights and create a ‘fair’ economy, many warn that these policies will increase prices, escalate trade tensions, and reduce the capacity of the state machinery. The question is: Will these reforms really bring long-term benefits to the American people and the international community, or are they just trend-driven actions that cause short-term negative consequences for the economy and society? Only time and transparency in governance, along with dialogue among the parties concerned, can answer this question. In the context of globalization and rapid technological changes, trade policies and state management not only reflect the ambitions of individuals or governments but also affect the daily lives of people. As the United States continues to pursue the path of “putting itself first,” both domestic consumers and international partners will have to accept the “costs” that this path brings.