Scaramucci on Tariffs: 'There Is Stupid and Then There Is Donald Trump Stupid'

Ladies and gentlemen, buckle up! We are in the midst of a trade war that is shaking the foundations of the global economy. Anthony Scaramucci, the former White House Communications Director, has come out swinging, calling Donald Trump's tariffs "terrifying" and "stupid." And he's not alone. The world is watching as Trump's tariffs threaten to slash jobs, jack up prices, and plunge us into a trade war that could make the 2018-2019 trade war look like a walk in the park.



Let's break it down. Trump's tariffs are a tax on imports, and they're hitting us where it hurts. The average effective tariff rate after incorporating all 2025 tariffs is now 22 ½%, the highest since 1909. That's a 2.3% rise in consumer prices in the short run, which translates to an average per household consumer loss of $3,800 in 2024 dollars. And that's just the beginning. The long-term impact on the U.S. economy includes a persistent reduction in GDP by 0.6%, equivalent to $180 billion annually in 2024 dollars. This economic burden is exacerbated by retaliatory measures from other countries, which further increase the cost of goods and services for U.S. consumers.

But it's not just about the money. It's about the jobs. The tariffs are expected to reduce U.S. GDP by 0.4 percent and hours worked by 358,000 full-time equivalent jobs, before accounting for foreign retaliation. And that's just the tip of the iceberg. The tariffs on steel and aluminum, for example, are expected to cause an overall decline of manufacturing employment that is an order of magnitude higher than the modest gain in steel jobs. Why? Because millions of manufacturing jobs involve products that use steel as an input, and these jobs are adversely impacted by rising production costs caused by tariffs on steel. In contrast, there are fewer than 150,000 U.S. steelworkers.

And let's not forget about the chaos. Trump's tariffs are a moving target. One day they're on, the next day they're off. One day they're 25%, the next day they're 50%. It's enough to make your head spin. And the market hates uncertainty. The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index has skyrocketed, and the risk of a global recession taking hold this year is now 40%, up from 30% at the start of 2025.

So, what can we do? We need to stay calm and pragmatic. We need to avoid a kneejerk response and work with our allies to mitigate the long-term effects of these tariffs. We need to negotiate a bespoke new customs union agreement with the EU to better protect British businesses. And we need to end this trade war as quickly as possible.

But don't just take my word for it. Listen to the experts. Listen to Anthony Scaramucci. Listen to the Liberal Democrats. Listen to the Education Secretary. They're all saying the same thing: Trump's tariffs are a disaster waiting to happen. And we need to act now to prevent it.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and make your voice heard. Tell your representatives to stand up to Trump's tariffs. Tell them to work with our allies to end this trade war. Tell them to protect our jobs and our economy. Because if we don't act now, it could be too late.

And remember, this is not just about the U.S. This is about the global economy. This is about our allies. This is about our future. So, let's stand together and fight for what's right. Let's end this trade war and build a better, more prosperous world for all.