I back Trump’s economic moves—tariffs and corporate tax cuts—because I think they can deliver for America: more jobs, bigger wealth, and a dent in our debt. It’s not a fairy tale; it’ll take years, and there’ll be headaches. But I’ve got an addition: tax corporate stock buybacks at 12-15% to stop companies from squandering tax breaks on Wall Street games. Here’s why this mix can work, based on what we know.
Tariffs Aren’t Perfect, But They’re Necessary
Tariffs get flak for raising prices, and they can—ask anyone buying imported steel lately. But they’re not about coddling; they’re about fighting back. Other countries hammer our exports with tariffs—China’s at 9.4% on average, the EU’s not far off—while we’ve been sitting at 2-3% (World Bank data). That’s why our trade deficit’s been stuck above $600 billion a year. Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, like the 10% across-the-board and 25% on cars from April 2, 2025, aim to match their rates and force a rethink.
It’s not theory—tariffs have teeth. After 2018’s steel tariffs, U.S. production jumped 8% in two years (U.S. Geological Survey), and jobs held steady at around 80,000 (BLS). The trade deficit with China dropped $100 billion by 2019 too (U.S. Census Bureau). Yeah, consumers paid more for some goods, but the goal’s bigger: keep industries alive here. Long-term, that means less reliance on imports and more paychecks stateside.
Tax Cuts Can Build, Not Just Boost Stocks
Corporate tax cuts are the other half I like. The 2017 cut from 35% to 21% wasn’t charity—it was a bet on growth. It paid off some: GDP growth hit 2.5% in 2018 (BEA), and unemployment fell to 3.5% by 2019 (BLS), pulling in millions of workers. Companies spent—Apple dropped $350 billion on U.S. projects over five years, per their own numbers.
But here’s the catch: too much went to shareholders. S&P 500 firms blew $806 billion on buybacks in 2018 (S&P Dow Jones Indices), juicing stock prices instead of jobs. That’s not the point. Tax cuts should build factories, not just CEO bonuses. They can work, but they need guardrails.
My Fix: Tax Buybacks at 12-15%
That’s where my idea kicks in—a 12-15% tax on stock buybacks. Companies are hooked on them; in 2023, they spent $700 billion (Bloomberg data). It’s a quick hit for stock values, but it’s not growth—it’s a cash grab. Tax that at 15%, and suddenly building a new plant looks smarter than buying back shares. The U.S. could’ve raised $100 billion in 2023 alone at that rate, per rough math on Bloomberg’s figures. That’s revenue to cut debt while pushing firms to hire or expand.
It’s not radical—Biden’s got a 1% version now, and Rubio’s talked up taxing buybacks too. At 12-15%, it’s a real signal: use tax cuts to grow, not game the system. Pair that with Trump’s cuts, and you’ve got a machine for actual progress.
The Long Game: Jobs, Wealth, Debt
This isn’t a sprint. Tariffs might spark a trade war—China’s already grumbling post-April 2. Prices could climb; the 2018 tariffs added about $40 billion to consumer costs (Fed Reserve estimate). But the flip side? A trade deficit down 4-5% with reciprocal tariffs (2019 White House report), plus jobs that stick. Tax cuts and a buyback tax could juice GDP another point or two over a decade (CBO models suggest this with investment growth), while that $100 billion yearly from buybacks trims our $34 trillion debt.
It’s messy—inflation’s a risk, and global pushback’s guaranteed. But history backs it: tariffs built our economy in the 1800s, and tax cuts fueled the late 2010s. Add my tax tweak, and we’re not just coasting—we’re gaining.
Make It Real
Trump’s core—tariffs and cuts—has my vote. My buyback tax sharpens it. If you see the logic, bug your reps to run with it. We’ve got a shot at something big.
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