Staff Reports
Kevin Hassett, the Director of the National Economic Council, recently made an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” and, of course, the host couldn’t resist opening up the conversation with a classic liberal panic over business uncertainty. Can entrepreneurs even conduct their affairs when the administration is seemingly tossed about by unpredictability, he asked? Hassett’s response is a prime example of traditional logic versus emotional outbursts that often dominate liberal discourse.
Hassett took a stab at illustrating the stark contrast between the Trump administration’s approach and that of its predecessor. He likened the previous administration to a football team that was simply running down the clock, while Trump’s team is displaying the urgency of a two-minute drill. In economic terms, that translates to a flurry of activity aimed at deregulating burdensome rules and rolling out tax relief. Small and big business owners alike might appreciate the notion that things are actually happening instead of just waiting for a metaphorical whistle to blow.
Hassett: Trump Administration Is Negotiating with 130 Countries on Tariffs https://t.co/KZ9Vvncp4K
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Then came the moment that truly encapsulates Hassett’s message: addressing the supposed national emergency caused by America’s overreliance on imported goods. It seems that even in an environment filled with self-declared “experts,” the simple notion of negotiating with foreign countries based on fair practices is lost on many. Hassett pointed out that the administration is negotiating with a whopping 130 countries, standing firmly on the principle that if they want to play ball, they’d better treat America the same way it treats them. In a landscape where fairness is often touted but seldom practiced, the Trump team is making headlines with its tough but smart negotiation tactics.
Moreover, it’s somewhat amusing to think that while some parties are wringing their hands over the uncertainty, there’s a well-orchestrated plan in progress. The Trump administration is not just calmly sitting at the negotiating table; it is gathering responses from 130 nations and getting those trade rates down to an enviably low level. The distinction of dealing with China in a separate, more complex manner inserts an added layer that only strengthens the administration’s position globally.
While some members of the press thrive on doom and gloom, Hassett’s commentary was more about progress and clear direction. For the small business owner in Main Street America, understanding that a robust, strategic trade policy is actively being forged should eliminate fears of an all-too-dire future. As America moves into a new era of trade, the pattern is clear: join the negotiations with respect, or find yourselves left out in the cold. Sounds like a common-sense plan—one that doesn’t seem to faze the pessimists over at CNN.
