Trump’s Fear of China Is Finally Showing

When tariffs collapse under legal pressure and markets panic, the myth of American leverage ends.

1. The Illusion of Strength

Trump built his political image on toughness. He promised to punish China, rebuild American manufacturing, and make Washington feared again. Tariffs were his weapon.

Now that weapon has turned against him. The Supreme Court is reviewing whether his tariffs were even legal. If they’re ruled unconstitutional, the U.S. government might have to return billions in tariff revenue. Behind the scenes, Trump’s team is quietly preparing hundreds of exemptions, undoing his own trade war one product at a time.