Donald Trump Is Playing a Dangerous Game of Chicken with the Economy

Could Donald Trump Be Impeached Over Tariffs? One of the biggest complaints about President Donald Trump’s tariff programs is that many Americans do not feel that they “voted” for instigating the export taxes that are so far-reaching and potentially damaging.

Trump ran on improving the economy – explicitly reducing inflation and prices at the grocery store.

Many voters feel powerless to stop the global tariff actions and rue the day that they were announced.

It’s the Stock Market that Could Damage Him the Most

One of the problems with the tariffs is that they have sent financial markets in a tizzy. However, that seems to be somewhat abated as of April 8, with various stock market indices rallying.

This means that Americans’ 401(k)s retirement plans are not yet “201(k)s.” Still, the volatility of global markets is not something that the ordinary voters signed up for when they supported Trump.

One of the aspects of last weekend’s nationwide “Hands Off” protests is that demonstrators with fixed monthly incomes tied to retirement programs that depend on the strength of global markets were disappointed that their golden years of retirement would not be free from worry.

The tariffs have thrown market confidence out the window.

Could This Lead to Stagflation?

Members of Congress may be growing frustrated with Trump’s tariffs. The Democrats are surely against it, but some Republicans are privately concerned.

What would it take for the full bipartisan membership on Capitol Hill to completely revolt?

A tariff war that would place the U.S. economy in a painful recession with inflation – a condition called stagflation – would be something that could make Congress hopping mad and could even force Capitol Hill to act. Lawmakers could even consider an impeachment inquiry.

Impeachment Articles Are Coming from Democrat Gadfly

Eccentric Texas Democrat lawmaker Al Green has impeachment articles ready to go within the next 30 days, although he has not stated exactly on what grounds he is taking such a drastic action, other than Trump often acts like a bully.

“We need a Senate that will convict him this time, and I want you to know, from my heart, from my heart, I understand that he is a Goliath. He is a Goliath. He has control of the generals in the military. He has control of the Justice Department. He has control of the Republican Party, but my friends, my friends, for every Goliath, there is a David,” Green said while speaking at Washington, DC’s “Hands Off!” rally on April 5.

No Chance of Advancing

These articles of impeachment, when they come, have no chance of passing the House or the Senate.

There would have to be major upheaval and since the Republicans control both chambers of Congress, impeachment would have to wait until the outcome of midterm elections in 2026.

Indeed, the ballot box is probably the place where Democrats could hurt Trump the most. If the House and Senate flip, which is entirely possible, then impeachment could always be a threat, which would make the third time that Trump has faced the action. He was never removed by the Senate in either impeachment effort.

Many Countries Are Waving the White Flag

However, the tariffs may not be that bad. The White House and the Department of the Treasury have stated that at least 70 countries have inquired about negotiating a trade relationship that doesn’t include tariff barriers. For example, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan are open to negotiations.

Fox Business interviewed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday afternoon, and he called the current tariff rates a “maximum” rate that could “come down” after negotiations.

The tariffs are more of an economic experiment that could be the basis of Trump’s negotiating tactic. The president loves the word, he has said. Look for him not to back off until numerous countries, including China, cry “uncle.”

China is not going gently into the night and has vowed it would match the rate of American tariffs. Today, Trump said he is waiting for Xi Jinping’s phone call to start talks that could mitigate the trade war.

It is too soon to speculate about the future of the tariff program that Trump has instigated, which has indeed been consequential. However, let’s allow it to play out.

This is the closest that any president has come in the 21st century to address the major loss of American manufacturing jobs to unfair trade practices by other countries. Trump believes that the United States has been ripped off for decades in trade.

To be sure, there is a risk of a recession or stagflation. Financial markets could remain in disarray. However, the United States has endured market corrections and bear markets, including stagflation, before and has emerged even more potent. There is no chance Trump could be impeached unless there are broad losses in the midterm elections in 2026. By then, the tariff program could go away.

Let Trump have his way for now and see how this develops. He is betting his presidency on the tariffs and occupants of the White House have taken risks with their legacy before and have emerged unscathed. He could go down in history as the “Tariff President” and that would suit him just fine.

About the Author: Dr. Brent M. Eastwood

Brent M. Eastwood, PhD is the author of Don’t Turn Your Back On the World: a Conservative Foreign Policy and Humans, Machines, and Data: Future Trends in Warfare plus two other books. Brent was the founder and CEO of a tech firm that predicted world events using artificial intelligence. He served as a legislative fellow for U.S. Senator Tim Scott and advised the senator on defense and foreign policy issues. He has taught at American University, George Washington University, and George Mason University. Brent is a former U.S. Army Infantry officer. He can be followed on X @BMEastwood.