Trump resurrects ‘zombie’ tariffs before midterms — will they come back to bite him?

The headline suggests that President Donald Trump is bringing back tariffs that were initially imposed during his "Liberation Day" declaration in April 2025. These tariffs, known as "zombie tariffs," were criticized as illegal by Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman, as they were imposed under ambiguous legal grounds. Trump's tariffs were primarily aimed at reducing trade deficits with trading partners, but their effectiveness was questioned, as the country's trade balance continued to fluctuate and manufacturing jobs continued to decline.

In the past, Trump's tariffs targeted countries like Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and Switzerland, often for reasons such as drug smuggling, illegal immigration, or perceived arrogance during trade negotiations. Trump's tariff strategy was characterized by his tendency to use threats and bluster to pressure other nations, much like an emperor dealing with his vassals.

However, this approach has only revealed the limits of American might, as countries have retaliated with their own tariffs. For example, China imposed controls on rare earth exports after facing higher tariffs from the US, while Chinese products have become more competitive in the American market due to their lower tariff rates.

The erratic nature of Trump's tariff policy has made it difficult for American companies to plan investments, as they cannot rely on predictable market conditions.