Trump Administration and the Republican Party: Who do you really work for, whom do you truly represent?
According to Businessweek, many of America’s largest corporations’ profitability has skyrocketed some 23-33%+ since the Trump Administration has applied tariffs as a diplo-financial weapon. The average worker globally has seen their cost of living go up anywhere from a few percent to drastic 25%+ levels depending upon the region they live in. What I am saying clearly is that America’s Republican Administration seems to be working for America’s Business Community while ignoring the needs and wants of their fellow citizens.
America has returned to a time not so long ago where corporations were the main employer, regional financier and investor and undue influencer upon all public polices particularly those that benefit the corporations. I am talking of the period between 1886-1930 where a corporation can establish itself in a town, employ most of its citizens, establish corporate stores that they own and manage as places where these employees can shop for essentials and luxuries alike. The corporate store, in a corporate town managed by a City Council beholden to said corporation.
America’s being massaged by these corporate elites in an effort to bring back to America what was lost during the country’s love affair with globalization. Manufacturing, designing, high technology shifted to Asia, first Japan(early yrs), then to China. Extracting massive profits (@ 13 trillion $ annually) while allowing Asia’s environment to be nearly destroyed. Corporations’ responsibility is to themselves alone, acquiring profits no matter the means.
These jobs are flowing back to America, Canada and the EU because China has become their greatest financial and political enemy, having grown its GNP (2024 $19.3 trillion) far beyond the West’s expectations. The West had created a competitor, a maverick Financial Giant that was not manageable by said corporations and their governments. China has become a nation that equates profits equally to political acquisitions/achievements. China can lose money in a procedure but gain politically/diplomatically. This equation goes beyond the “capitalistic” values of Western Corporations who must profit at the end of the day.
Will America become the New Production Hub globally? Skilled labour in America receives good wages with benefits. Yet there is a level of uneducated or low-level educated members of the population who cannot enjoy what the middle class is presently enjoying. A New and revitalized Middle Class in America can be seen as a panacea for America’s problems. Problems?
America has a huge National Debt that needs to be maintained. National Debt Clock has America’s N.D. at $39,500 trillion. That is nearly $115,000 per citizen, $357,500 per taxpayer. While America’s Congress approved a budget of $1.7 trillion, America has spent @ $7.25 trillion in 2025-2026. The US Treasury Reserve is locked at $32.6 trillion. These statistics show that America is a failing corporation, running out of funds while it services its Military, Social Services and monetary pledges. The American-Iranian Conflict has cost the US @$38.6 Billion so far. These expenses will need to be repaid in time. According to Bloomberg News, fears of tax increases across the board in the US may be on their way, with the exception given to the corporate sector, of course.
Corporations in America make excessive profits even if they are in recession mode. Long-term investments globally assure them cash at hand. Tariffs have brought in @ $1.9 Trillion so far (2026). That is a massive shortfall if applied to the monies needed to pay US Debt. Ultimately, the Trump Administration is using tariffs as a tool to strike diplomatically/financially against their corporate enemies/competitors worldwide. Instead of invasions or missile strikes, a massive tariff can manipulate a national Leader/legislature, economy or marketplace while not destroying anything but their enemy’s capability to retaliate effectively.
Tariffs steal not just from the wealthy nation or corporation, but also from you and me. Our lifestyle is challenged each day as we try to pay for our necessities like fuel for the vehicle, food and energy bills. Tariffs are intended to keep populations financially down, manageable and passive. Tariffs were once used to protect national industries but have evolved into socio-political tools of financial correction.
Canada cannot win this tariff war! The Premiers of each Province have met to discuss how to manage and retaliate against a self-seeking financial missile directed towards Ottawa and each of their Legislatures. Denying Canadians a bottle of Californian Wine or Kentucky Bourbon will not get us anywhere except further US retaliation. Smaller National Economies such as the Caribbean, Canada and beyond must realize this tariff war is not winnable if we continue to isolate ourselves. True globalization with unity of purpose is the only answer. Regional and international unity can put a halt to tariff madness.
United we can persevere; divided, Canada and other Smaller nations will fall deeper into US/Chinese influence and control as intended.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
