Trump is plagiarising a very old playbook for his tariffs

It is doubtful if Donald Trump has ever heard of Albert Hirschman. If asked, the president would probably speculate as to whether he was that German guy who came third in the Masters”. But there may be those in his advisory circle who are well-versed in the works of the economist, author of National Power and the Structure of Foreign Trade.

- CHRIS BLACKHURST

Hirschman wrote his book in 1945, having settled in Berkeley (ironically a Trump hate school if there ever was one) in California after fleeing a Europe consumed by the terrors of the Spanish civil war and Nazi Germany. This turned him towards the study of autarky or self-sufficiency, looking at how countries can gain independence from others, ceasing to rely on them and reducing foreign influence.

It’s writ large on his cap. He will Make America Great Again, not by launching wars and using military might and costing American lives, but by enforcing protectionism.

For decades, the planet has followed a free trade agenda. But, says Trump and co, that has got the US nowhere – all it’s resulted in is the streets of Manhattan being gridlocked by Toyotas and Mercs, rather than Chevrolets. We’re going to create American jobs for American people; we’re going to win our country back. In so doing, we will be king, same as if we sent our Marines into action and bombed the hell out of others. America will be just great.