Trump’s tariffs – between calm strategy and the stark reality

IN what can only be described as a plot twist befitting a geopolitical satire, United States’ President Donald J. Trump has once again taken centre stage on the world economic platform with his latest declaration – the imposition of a sweeping “reciprocal tariff” policy.

Declaring it “Liberation Day” for the US, Trump claimed the move would restore fairness to international trade. But for many observers, policymakers and businesses, the announcement felt more like a lightning bolt out of a clear sky – dazzling, deafening, and deeply disruptive.