TRUMP'S TARIFFS WILL REFILL THE SWAMP

Donald Trump's proposed across-the-board tariffs, intended to challenge Washington elites and big-money interests, could paradoxically expand the influence of lobbyists and special interest groups in Washington, D.C., rather than diminish it. His first-term tariffs demonstrated how businesses, seeking relief from these levies, heavily engaged lobbying firms, trade associations, and public relations experts, fostering increased spending on political influence.

During his presidency, the number of lobbying groups addressing tariff issues quadrupled due to his steel and aluminum tariffs. These tariffs incentivized companies to compete for exemptions, spending large sums to sway decision-makers through lobbying, donations, and access-oriented strategies. The proposed broader tariffs, ranging from 10% on imports to as high as 60% on Chinese goods, would likely intensify these dynamics, fueling a surge in lobbying activity.

While the tariffs aim to pressure foreign countries for concessions, their uncertain and expansive application risks exacerbating the very "swamp" of political influence that Mr. Trump vowed to eliminate. This system disproportionately harms American consumers by inflating prices and further entrenching elite power structures in policymaking.

Merrill Matthews concludes that if Mr. Trump proceeds with these measures, his efforts will ironically strengthen the political swamp rather than drain it.

Merrill Matthews, "Trump's Tariffs Will Refill the Swamp," *Wall Street Journal*, December 26, 2024.