The tariff hammer falls – but on whom?

Editor's note: In response to the U.S.'s deep divide between government decisions and public opinion, further intensifying internal tensions and social fragmentation, CGTN's First Voice presents "A Fractured America II," an animated video series. The first episode focuses on U.S. tariff policy, highlighting the disconnect between America's pursuit of self-interest and the realities of public opinion.

The U.S. government recently made a seemingly clever decision – to impose tariffs on its trading partners. And just like that, a global trade storm was unleashed.

The government confidently claims it's all "for national security, to protect jobs and to fight unfair trade practices." Unfortunately, these reasons sound more like excuses people made as kids for not doing their homework.

"We'll achieve the American Dream through tariffs!" But before the dream could come true, reality hit hard.

In an interview, the owner of a business said helplessly, "Within just three days of the tariff announcement, our company lost $640 billion in market value." An elderly American couple sighed while shopping, "Ground beef is more expensive again." It's ironic – the tariffs were meant to target foreign goods, but ended up draining the wallets of Americans themselves.

Much of America's agricultural output depends on global markets. With tariffs and inevitable countermeasures, the U.S. now faces a growing export crisis. "We can't sell our crops anymore because of tariffs. We're suffering huge losses. The government should wake up!"

The facts speak for themselves. No matter how the Trump administration tries to glorify tariffs under various guises, the American people aren't fooled. They know the cost of the trade war will be ultimately borne by businesses and consumers.

The U.S. government's tariff stick has shattered business confidence and damaged alliances and partnerships, but failed to resolve real domestic livelihood issues. While the rest of the world works together toward win-win cooperation, the U.S. administration's repeated waving of the tariff stick is not a strategy; it's a farce. It doesn't protect national interests; it loses the support of the people.

The U.S. administration should stop swinging the stick and start listening to the people.

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