Donald Trump, the president of the United States says that his protectionist trade policies boosted economic growth. However, his opposition and critics say otherwise – stating that there’s handful evidence that is supporting this claim.

US President Donald Trump has threatened over the weekend in re-escalating the trade war with China. This is by means of increasing the tariffs on almost all imported products coming from the said country. He has implied as well that this move isn’t going to hurt the US economy and had said that the tariffs that were imposed are partially responsible for greater economic results.

Going Strong?

According to advisers of the US president, it has expanded the argument saying that there has been a 3.2% growth in economy. An increase in the first quarter of this year – this includes a positive contribution from the exports, which serve as proof that the hard-line trade policies of the president are truly helping the US economy to grow. Well this has been felt by many citizens in the state by being able to qualify for Laina and buy the house of their dreams.

Well technically speaking, the secretary is correct:

The net exports have added to growth in first three months as per the preliminary number the Commerce Department had released.

On the other hand, this doesn’t automatically indicate that the tariffs are indeed bolstering the economy. The fact that Donald Trump as well as his team believe otherwise can be a smart and tactical negotiation with China – this can give credence to the notion that they are ready to escalate trade war further in the event that their demands have not been met.

However, claiming to have a strong economy can also undermine Trump’s position and set up the economy and even the financial markets for unpleasant surprise in case that his bluff is called.

The Explanation

To calculate the size of US economy, the GDP is deceivingly simple. It’s combining multiple metrics in economy including:

• Business Investment
• Consumer Spending and;
• Government Spending

At the same time, these factors difference between the value of what’s being imported and exported by the United States.

And for over 4 decades, the difference has mostly negative. This is because America has bought more foreign services and goods than what it sold. Simply speaking, their imports have exceeded exports. Meaning to say, America’s GDP was lower due to the trade.