Trump’s Tariffs Are Winning—Don’t Believe the Mainstream Media’s Fearmongering

By Juan Fermin, NoSocialism.com April 26, 2025

The Guardian’s April 26, 2025, article by Adam Gabbatt paints a grim picture of President Trump’s second term, claiming polls show widespread disapproval of his tariffs and economic policies, with Americans labeling his administration “scary” and “chaotic.” This narrative, echoed across mainstream media, attributes fears of inflation and economic collapse to Trump’s trade policies. But a closer look reveals this as the same biased playbook the media has used against Trump for years—fearmongering and distortion while ignoring facts that don’t fit their agenda. The reality is that Trump’s tariffs are working, just as they did in his first term, and the U.S. is stronger for it.

The Guardian cites polls claiming 70% of Americans believe Trump’s tariffs will drive up inflation, with 64% disapproving of his handling of the issue. But this fear stems not from reality but from the media’s relentless drumbeat of doom-and-gloom predictions. During Trump’s first term, he imposed a 25% tariff on steel in 2018. Media outlets screamed that prices would skyrocket, yet the data tells a different story: steel prices rose briefly for less than a month before returning to pre-tariff levels within weeks. They remained stable for nearly two years, and even after a later spike, steel prices today are lower than when the tariffs were implemented. If tariffs were the inflation boogeyman the media claims, why didn’t we see sustained price surges then? The Guardian conveniently omits this history, preferring to stoke fear over facts.

'The media’s obsession with “global interconnectedness” overlooks the strategic benefits of reducing reliance on ... China'

The article also frames America’s supposed “isolation” as a dire consequence of Trump’s policies, lamenting a 20% drop in New York City hotel bookings and an 11.6% decline in international visitors in March 2025. But this narrative ignores a critical reality: the U.S. has the smallest percentage of its GDP dependent on trade among major economies—only about 27% in 2024, compared to 60% for Germany. Trade disruptions, while inconvenient for some sectors, are far from catastrophic for the U.S. economy. The media’s obsession with “global interconnectedness” overlooks the strategic benefits of reducing reliance on foreign nations, especially those like China, which the U.S. has a lopsided trade relationship with.

'The media also fails to mention that China needs the USA far more than the U.S. needs China'

Speaking of China, the Guardian and its ilk seem to take Beijing’s side at every turn, warning that tariffs will make goods like iPhones “astronomically” expensive if manufactured domestically. Yet a deep dive into the numbers debunks this myth. Producing an iPhone in the U.S. would increase costs by about $50–$100 per unit due to higher labor costs, not the $10,000 price tag fearmongered by critics. With iPhones already retailing for $1,000+, this marginal increase is hardly a dealbreaker for consumers, especially when weighed against the benefits of domestic production—like job creation and supply chain security. The media also fails to mention that China needs the U.S. far more than the U.S. needs China. In 2024, the U.S. accounted for 16.5% of China’s exports, while China made up only 3.5% of U.S. exports. This imbalance gives Trump leverage, which he’s using effectively to win the trade war—despite media claims to the contrary.

'The media frames Trump ... as reckless, never acknowledging the benefits of reducing ties with a bully ...'

The Guardian’s selective reporting extends to geopolitics. It ignores China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, where Beijing treats the region like its personal playground, militarizing reefs and harassing neighboring nations. This behavior has driven a massive military buildup in the region, with Japan developing advanced railgun technology and Vietnam, a former ally of China, pivoting to the U.S. and purchasing significant military assets in 2024. From a military perspective, decoupling from China isn’t isolation—it’s a strategic imperative to counter a growing threat. Yet the media frames Trump’s policies as reckless, never acknowledging the security benefits of reducing economic ties with a nation known to falsify its economic data and bully its neighbors.

'Trump’s tariffs are again strengthening U.S. manufacturing'

This bias isn’t new. The mainstream media has long used the same playbook to vilify Trump, from their coverage of the January 6th rioters—portrayed as terrorists while ignoring provocations by law enforcement—to their complicity in the lawfare against Trump, which has been exposed as a politically motivated sham. The Guardian’s article is just the latest chapter, amplifying fears of inflation and depression while ignoring evidence of Trump’s success. During his first term, tariffs revitalized American steel, with capacity utilization rising to 80% by 2019, a threshold for a financially viable domestic industry. Today, Trump’s tariffs are again strengthening U.S. manufacturing, with record tariff revenues of $2 billion daily in April 2025, according to posts on X, and consumer prices dropping for the first time since COVID.

'Americans aren’t scared of Trump—they’re scared of the media’s relentless fear campaign'

The Guardian wants you to believe Trump’s second term is a failure, but the data says otherwise. Inflation is down to 2.4%, oil prices have dropped 20%, and the Producer Price Index fell 0.4% in March 2025, beating forecasts. Americans aren’t scared of Trump—they’re scared of the media’s relentless fear campaign. It’s time to see through the bias and recognize that Trump’s tariffs are winning the trade war, securing America’s future, and proving that the U.S. can thrive without bending the knee to globalist dogma.

The Case for Solar Without the Tax Credit: Prioritizing Fiscal Responsibility

By Juan Fermin, NoSocialism.com

April 26, 2025

Solar energy empowers American homeowners to generate their own electricity, lower bills, and reduce reliance on monopoly utilities. Rooftop solar systems have proven their worth, keeping lights on during blackouts in Texas, wildfires in California, and hurricanes in Florida. These technologies align with conservative values of self-reliance and resilience, enabling families to take control of their energy needs without waiting on utilities or government aid. However, the federal investment tax credit (ITC) for solar, while well-intentioned, must be reconsidered in light of our nation’s fiscal crisis. There's a lot of support out there to keep these Tax Credits, but with annual deficits exceeding $1.9 trillion and a national debt surpassing $33 trillion, government spending must be curtailed to stabilize the economy and protect all Americans from the crushing effects of high interest rates.

The ITC, which offsets up to 30% of the cost of installing solar panels, is often framed as a pro-market policy. In reality, it’s a government subsidy that disproportionately benefits higher earners. Data shows the average income of households with residential solar installations exceeds $100,000, meaning the ITC largely subsidizes those who can already afford solar, make nearly double the average and adding to the federal deficit. Solar panel prices have plummeted by over 80% since 2010, making solar so affordable that most people can now finance a system over 15–20 years and end up with a payment that’s about the same—or even less—than their average electric bill. In Florida, for example, a homeowner with a $333 average monthly bill can finance a 14.5 kW system for around $344/month without the ITC, a gap that closes as electricity rates rise annually. People are increasingly motivated to own solar to achieve independence from the grid, avoid the grid’s annual rate increases, and, especially in Florida, ensure power during hurricane season outages. With solar prices continuing to fall practically every year, there’s little reason for the government to keep subsidizing an industry that can stand on its own.

"In 2024, the federal government spent over $700 billion on interest payments alone—more than the entire defense budget."

Continuing the ITC risks creating dependency, discouraging innovation, and propping up a mature industry that no longer needs it. More critically, it exacerbates our ballooning deficit. In 2024, the federal government spent over $700 billion on interest payments alone—more than the entire defense budget. The Congressional Budget Office projects deficits will average $2 trillion annually over the next decade, driving interest rates higher as the government competes for borrowing. High interest rates hurt everyone: families face steeper mortgage and auto loan payments, small businesses struggle to expand, and the cost of goods rises. For the average American—especially those earning far less than $100,000—these pressures outweigh the benefits of a tax credit that primarily aids wealthier households. By prioritizing fiscal discipline, we can lower interest rates, stabilize the economy, and create a rising tide that lifts all boats—not just those with solar panels.

Eliminating the ITC doesn’t mean abandoning solar. States can offer their own incentives, tailored to local needs, without adding to the federal deficit. Utilities can be pushed to streamline interconnection processes and fairly compensate homeowners for excess solar energy fed into the grid. Regulatory reforms, like cutting red tape for permitting and installation, would further reduce costs. These market-driven solutions align with conservative principles, fostering competition and innovation while keeping government out of the equation.

"The answer isn’t more federal spending—it’s breaking up monopolies, deregulating energy markets, and empowering consumers through choice."

Monopoly utilities, with their unchecked rate hikes and record profits, are a real problem. Pacific Gas and Electric’s $2.2 billion in 2023 profits, coupled with new fees and rate increases, shows how utilities exploit captive customers. But the answer isn’t more federal spending—it’s breaking up monopolies, deregulating energy markets, and empowering consumers through choice. Solar thrives in competitive environments, and homeowners shouldn’t need a tax credit to say “no” to utility greed.

Supporting solar means supporting ingenuity and independence, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of fiscal sanity. By phasing out the ITC, we can promote solar adoption through market reforms while tackling the deficit that threatens our economic future. High deficits and soaring interest rates hurt every American, from the solar-powered homeowner to the renter struggling with rising costs. It’s time to cut spending, unleash markets, and let solar shine on its own.