Impact of Trump tariffs: Bridge the clarity deficit

The White House has been telling Americans it's taxing foreign exporters. However, tariffs hit the poor at home the hardest. Trump's are clearly being packaged for a post-truth world

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Among the fastest to achieve celebrity status in America's new administration is Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, fielded by President Donald Trump to handle the media. Aged 27, she is the youngest ever to hold this job. To her credit, she already seems to have made the briefing room 'great again'.

At least in terms of a big viewership boost for briefings. Dull moments are scarce. One video clip in the race for virality on social media features her feisty defense of Trump's claim that US trade partners are ripping America off. "Tariffs are a tax hike on foreign countries and a tax cut for the American people," says Leavitt.

This prompts a quick question from an unseen reporter. "Have you ever paid a tariff?" he asks, adding, "I have. They don't get charged on foreign countries." Leavitt's response is a brush-off: "I think it's insulting that you're trying to test my knowledge on economics."