Eric Boehm, a reporter at Reason magazine, recently highlighted the potential long-term impact of Trump’s tariffs in his piece “The ‘chicken tax’ offers a scary lesson about Trump’s tariffs.” The “chicken tax,” which was originally implemented as part of the 1964 Trade Act to protect U.S. chicken producers from European competition, has become a benchmark for measuring the effectiveness of tariffs.
The term “Liberation Day” tariffs refers to Trump’s 2018 tariff increase on imported aluminum and steel products. The tariffs were intended to level the playing field for American industries but have led to retaliatory measures from countries like China and Canada. According to Boehm, these tariffs are likely here to stay due to several factors.
Firstly, the “Liberation Day” tariffs have created a new normal in international trade. Countries that imposed their own tariffs on U.S. products may be less likely to reverse them now. Secondly, some industries, such as aerospace and defense, have become dependent on these tariffs to maintain competitiveness.
This has led Boehm to conclude that Trump’s tariffs, including the “Liberation Day” tariffs, may end up staying forever. This would be a significant consequence of his trade policies, with implications for global trade and the U.S. economy.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/08/12/trump-tariffs-trade-war