The president can escape the economic trench warfare he started in April 2025. But first, he’ll have to remember a decades-old lesson from the greatest deal he ever struck.

he anniversary of “Liberation Day” came and went on April 2 without much fanfare. The Trump administration’s silence was striking, especially considering all the pomp and circumstance they invested in last year’s lavish unveiling at the White House Rose Garden.

But was it any wonder that the “dog didn’t bark,” given how the last twelve months played out?

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane.

On April 2, 2025, President Trump vowed that the day would “forever be remembered as the day American industry was reborn.” On January 30, 2026, just two months ago, he declared “Mission Accomplished” on his trade war in a triumphant op-ed in The Wall Street Journal, claiming that his tariffs had “brought America back” and ushered in an “American economic miracle.”

Americans disagree, and so does the data. Trump’s tariffs have proven to be one of his most unpopular policies to date. Studies suggest they’ve slowed growth, raised costs, and failed to deliver the manufacturing renaissance the administration promised. Trump never admits defeat, and he never shies away from touting a victory, so his silence over the anniversary of “Liberation Day” was deafening.



Luckily for the president, it’s not too late to flip the script and reverse much of the damage from his ill-fated trade war.

First, however, he’ll need to remember a lesson he seems to have forgotten from his greatest trade deal to date. In his defense, it was 40 years ago.

...read more at thedailyeconomy.org