Trump's Tariffs and the Politics of Identity

Tendai Rungano

Yesterday, Donald Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs that some are calling the largest tax hike of our lifetimes. Now, this isn't just about trade policy. It’s part of a bigger story, a narrative that paints America in the midst of a cosmic battle against globalization—essentially a fight to reclaim what has been taken, or at least what many of his supporters believe has been taken.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

It’s interesting, because tariffs are often framed as, well, economic tools, right? But here… they’re tied to something much deeper. It’s like they’ve become a symbol for sacrifice. Almost as if suffering now is proof of loyalty and pride in this larger mission.

Tendai Rungano

Exactly. This idea of sacrifice, Jae—it’s powerful. It resonates deeply in certain contexts. You know, in Zimbabwe, during the post-colonial period, we saw similar narratives around land reclamation. While the circumstances are quite different, the core message was the same: short-term pain for long-term pride, framed in almost moralistic terms. It’s about identity, not just economics.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And it’s fascinating how effective that kind of messaging can be. I mean, even when policies like these clearly hurt the supporters economically, the stories people are told—they override logic. It makes me think of propaganda efforts in authoritarian regimes. They focus on evoking this deep emotional connection to a cause, even if the policies tied to it are damaging.

Tendai Rungano

Right. Trump’s rhetoric does something similar, doesn’t it? He frames tariffs as a blow against those who’ve “looted” and “pillaged” the country—big, dramatic language that fuels this narrative of reclamation. And the emotional weight of that story, coupled with his followers’ trust in him, makes the actual effects of the tariffs irrelevant.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

That trust… it’s so tied to identity. It’s like, the more pain they feel, the closer they hold onto him. That suffering isn’t condemned—it’s celebrated as proof of devotion.

Tendai Rungano

You’re absolutely right, Jae. That trust, that emotional connection—it’s such a critical piece. And when we think about Trump’s tariffs, their impact isn’t just economic. It’s about how they help frame this larger narrative of reclamation, this fight to regain something people feel they’ve lost.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Which is why it’s not fully rational, right? It’s what those policies symbolize. I mean, if you feel like you’re losing something—culturally, socially—it can feel like those economic costs are a price you’re willing to pay.

Tendai Rungano

Absolutely. And what’s fascinating, Jae, is that these feelings often intensify during times of economic prosperity. You’d think an improving economy would soothe some of those anxieties. But no, for some, it works the other way. It amplifies a sense of cultural and racial loss. There’s academic research that highlights this paradox—it’s not that people fear losing economically but losing a certain place in the social hierarchy. It’s an emotional response tied to identity, not logic.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

I’ve seen this firsthand. In Milwaukee, when the city started rolling out more inclusive policies—things like job programs for marginalized communities or affordable housing—there was this… backlash. It wasn’t about whether those programs made sense financially; it was about who they were perceived to benefit. It’s like, if the policies didn’t center one group, they were seen as threatening.

Tendai Rungano

Which mirrors the national dynamic perfectly, doesn’t it? Take Trump’s rhetoric about tariffs benefiting “real” Americans—a term so obviously shaped by exclusion. The tangible financial benefits or drawbacks almost don’t matter. What matters is that these policies reaffirm the identity and, quite literally, the centrality of his supporters in America’s story.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And that’s where his narrative has real staying power. Because for some people, it’s not about rising together—it’s about making sure “the others” don’t rise with them. That emotional investment is hard to counteract with facts.

Tendai Rungano

It’s fascinating, isn’t it? This attachment to identity over logic—and it’s where the Democrats often falter. They keep doubling down on economic appeals, assuming that showing how tariffs or other policies hit voters in their wallets will change minds. But by doing so, they completely misunderstand the deeper emotional and cultural motivations shaping these decisions.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Because, for so many, it’s not about dollars and cents. It’s… yeah, it’s about identity. It’s about feeling like they’re part of something special or chosen. And I think when the Democrats talk about “we’re all in this together,” that kind of inclusive message—

Tendai Rungano

It backfires, right?

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Yeah, exactly! Instead of feeling included, it’s like they interpret it as a threat. Like inclusivity means their piece of the pie is shrinking, even if it’s not.

Tendai Rungano

Exactly, Jae. This is something I’ve seen elsewhere, too. In post-colonial southern Africa, leaders would capitalize on this “us vs. them” narrative. They’d frame economic struggles or policy failures as the fault of an external enemy—former colonizers, for example—and that reinforced this idea that hardship was proof of loyalty to the cause. It was deeply emotional and incredibly effective.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

And it’s the same playbook, isn’t it? Trump’s use of tariffs, or even just his language about foreigners “looting” America, it’s all designed to focus anger outward. To, I guess, protect that identity you’re talking about.

Tendai Rungano

Protect and consolidate it. What’s really interesting is how narratives like this—whether in southern Africa or in Trump’s America—don’t just create an exclusive identity. They make inclusive policies look like a threat. And that means economic arguments won’t land, because they’re not speaking to the real issue.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Which is why some Democrats just keep missing the mark. I mean, politics isn’t just a math equation where you, you know, plug in the right solutions and get the right results. It’s emotional. And for Trump supporters, the emotion is tied to this belief that they’re, well, the real America. And the sheer power of that belief overrides even obvious contradictions.

Tendai Rungano

For sure. And I think one of the big takeaways here is understanding that strategy needs to address identity as much as it does economics. Without doing that, the Democrats might keep losing voters to those kinds of narratives, no matter how much they try to help those same people economically.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

Which is, honestly, hard to hear, but it’s the reality. And it leaves us with this tough question: if people are so deeply attached to these identity-driven ideas, how do you even begin to change those perspectives?

Tendai Rungano

That’s the challenge, isn’t it, Jae? It’s hard work, and it starts with acknowledging that policies alone can’t change minds—stories do. And maybe, just maybe, the answer lies in creating a better story, one that embraces all voices without making anyone feel like they’re being replaced. But, as we’ve discussed today, getting there won’t be easy.

Ji-hye 'Jae' Park

No, it won’t. But, on that note, Tendai, I think we’ve given our listeners a lot to think about.

Tendai Rungano

We certainly have. And that’s all for today, folks. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time.