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How tariffs destroy what makes America great
Trump’s tariffs obstruct not only the flow not only of goods, but also ideas, contacts, technology and friendships.
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Great nations throughout the history of Western civilisation have been crossroads nations, where people from all over met, exchanged ideas and came up with new ones together, says the writer.
PHOTO: VINCENT TULLO/NYTIMES
David Brooks
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I’ll let others describe the economic carnage President Trump’s tariffs have already begun to wreak. I want to describe the damage they will do to the American psyche and the American soul.
Mr Trump is building walls. His trade policies obstruct not only the flow of goods, but also the flow of ideas, contacts, technology, and friendships as well. His immigration policies do the same. He assaults the institutions and communities most involved in international exchange: scientific researchers, universities, the diplomatic corps, foreign aid agencies and international alliances like Nato.
