Did Trump use ChatGPT to decide on the new disastrous tariffs?

Trump's tariffs might leak chatbot influence, critics analyze gaps.

: President Trump's new global tariffs raised eyebrows with their perceived lack of logical foundation. Economist James Surowiecki noted a pattern in the tariffs, suggesting they could reproduce by simple mathematics using a country's trade deficit with the U.S. Trump’s administration denies chatbot involvement, yet the method mirrors chatbot suggestions. Confusion intensifies with tariffs on surprising countries like Australia and the uninhabited Heard Island.

In early April 2025, President Trump announced a sweeping set of global tariffs, sparking rapid analysis among social media users who found a lack of apparent logic behind the tariff calculations. The tariffs involved a baseline 10% applied universally, with additional tariffs based on perceptions of unfair treatment toward the United States. Economist James Surowiecki proposed a reverse-engineering of the tariff logic, suggesting it could be recreated by dividing a country's trade deficit with the U.S. by its total exports to the U.S., then halving that figure—what he humorously termed the 'discounted reciprocal tariff.' The White House rebutted this explanation, presenting its formula which closely resembled Surowiecki's deduction.

Further investigation by The Verge found that chatbots, when asked for solutions to balance trade disparities, proffered formulas very similar to those used by the administration. This alignment hinted at potential chatbot influence which was not ideal, considering chatbots frequently mimic common online discussions. Critics expressed concerns over the White House's previous extensive use of consumer applications like Signal for sensitive discussions, an approach seemingly encouraged by tech mogul Elon Musk's own behaviors.

The administration's strategy faced skepticism due to its impact on countries like Australia, which shows a trade surplus with the U.S., defying logic for applying penalties. Additionally, tariffs affected uninhabited territories like Heard Island, exacerbating doubts over the strategy's rigor. Observers emphasize that the U.S., being a service-centric economy, maintains a surplus in areas other than goods.

Moreover, the U.S. benefits from 'comparative advantage,' wherein countries engage in specialized economic roles most beneficial to their economies. For many products, the cost of American labor surpasses the tariffs, maintaining the economic viability of imports. Economists argue that expecting immediate shifts in trade dynamics, such as factories returning en masse and costs like lettuce remaining unaffected by labor changes, is unrealistic.

The unexpected and seemingly flawed execution of the tariffs underscores ongoing tension between rapid policy implementation and thorough, evidence-based economic strategy. The controversy highlights the critical importance of experienced economists over simplified, AI-derived solutions in policymaking to avoid unintended international economic ramifications.

Sources: The Verge, Politico, The Washington Post, The Economist.

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