Tariffs and Tanks: How Trump’s Economic Nationalism Undermines The Fight Against Authoritarianism

US President Donald Trump signing executive orders

At a time when the world is rattled by authoritarian regimes from Moscow to Beijing, Donald Trump is resurrecting his favourite game plan: tariffs. Pledging steep taxes on imports and pursuing his “America First” rhetoric, Trump claims economic nationalism will protect American jobs and outmanoeuvre foreign rivals. But his fixation on trade wars, while casting doubt on his support for Ukraine and undermining NATO unity, risks jeopardising alliances that have long held authoritarianism at bay. Tariffs may win headlines, but they won’t stop tanks. 

Recently, Trump has trialed the idea of implementing a universal 10% tariff on all imports - a proposal that economists warn could increase consumer prices and exasperate global trading partners. This resembles his first term, when brutal tariffs on China, steel and aluminum fanned the flames of tension between partners and intensified costs for American businesses. Meanwhile, Trump’s support for Ukraine has been strikingly ambiguous. He has questioned the value of NATO, encouraged Russia to ‘do whatever the hell they want’ to member states who fail to reach defence spending targets, and offered no clear strategy for deterring Vladimir Putin. Trump’s economic isolationism and geopolitical retreat combine to present a foreign policy concentrated more on nationalist theatrics than global stability. 

Trump’s attitude sends a dangerous message at a critical time. While democracies assemble to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and confront China’s growing assertiveness, the US must project unity and leadership. Instead, Trump’s trade war risks alienating allies and compromising economic cooperation in key blocs such as the European Union and NATO. Protectionist policies may attract voters frustrated by globalisation, but they impair American reliability and fortify authoritarian regimes. When Trump retreats behind tariff walls and clouds security pledges, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping see an opening, not a threat.

Trump’s supporters say tariffs are necessary to protect American workers and industries from unjust competition, particularly from China’s state-subsidised manufacturing. They claim that prioritising domestic economic might, even at the cost of international cooperation, is the most effective way to facilitate American dominance. However, this narrow focus on economic self-interest misses the broader perspective: national security and economic stability are deeply intertwined in a globalised world. A damaged NATO or dispersed West doesn’t just threaten Europe, it risks engaging the US into conflicts down the line. Protecting workers is crucial, but so is maintaining the global order that prohibits authoritarian hostility. 

As the world grows more precarious, with authoritarianism challenging the limits of Western resolve, American leadership cannot be reduced to tariff turmoil. Trump’s economic nationalism may resonate with a populist frustration, but it misses the balance between domestic strength and global cooperation. Tariffs alone won’t stop missiles, secure borders or preserve democratic values abroad. At a time when geopolitical partnerships are critical to countering shared threats, retreating into isolationism is dropping your shield and crossing your fingers. If Trump is to lead, he must do so with more than just tariffs - he needs to show clarity, consistency and commitment to the values that truly define America’s strength.