Harry Enten's Unflinching Look: Did Trump's Tariffs Truly Deliver on Their Promises?

In an era where economic policies often clash with political rhetoric, CNN's Senior Data Reporter Harry Enten has delivered a sharp, data-driven assessment that challenges the core narrative surrounding former President Donald Trump's tariffs. Appearing on "The Lead with Jake Tapper," Enten meticulously dissected the real-world impact of these protectionist measures, revealing a picture far different from the one often painted by proponents.

Trump's administration famously levied tariffs on a range of imports, including steel, aluminum, and various goods from China.

The stated aim was clear: to revitalize American manufacturing, bring jobs back to U.S. soil, and reduce trade deficits. It was a bold promise, appealing to a segment of the electorate longing for a return to America's industrial might.

However, Enten's analysis, grounded in hard economic data, tells a different story.

He highlighted that while the Trump administration touted a manufacturing resurgence, the actual growth in manufacturing jobs under his presidency was not only slower than during the Obama years but also lagged behind the overall job growth in the broader economy. This stark comparison directly contradicts the notion of a roaring manufacturing comeback fueled by tariffs.

Further reinforcing this skepticism, Enten referenced a 2020 Congressional Research Service report.

This authoritative study concluded that Trump's tariffs led to a slight decrease in manufacturing employment, rather than the intended boost. The report suggested that the negative impact of tariffs – such as higher input costs for American manufacturers and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports – outweighed any potential benefits to protected industries.

Beyond the manufacturing sector, the tariffs had another significant, often overlooked, consequence: they acted as a de facto tax on American consumers and businesses.

Tariffs are not paid by foreign producers but by domestic importers, who often pass these increased costs onto consumers in the form of higher prices. This means that everyday Americans were effectively paying more for a wide array of goods, from washing machines to electronics, without necessarily seeing a corresponding surge in domestic job creation.

Enten's conclusion was unequivocal: the tariffs failed to achieve their primary objective of significantly increasing American manufacturing jobs and, in many respects, appear to have been a net negative for the U.S.

economy. His report serves as a crucial reminder that while protectionist policies may offer an appealing political narrative, their economic realities can be far more complex and often fall short of their lofty promises. It underscores the importance of scrutinizing economic claims with rigorous data analysis, moving beyond political rhetoric to understand the true impact on workers, businesses, and consumers.