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Friedman Critiques Trump’s Economic Policies on Electric Vehicles

In a recent episode of “The Ezra Klein Show,” New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman expressed his frustrations regarding Donald Trump’s economic policies, particularly the tariffs imposed on China in relation to electric vehicles. Friedman described these tariffs as “right-wing woke bulls—,” highlighting his discontent with the administration’s approach.

The discussion began when Klein questioned the rationale behind Trump’s high tariffs, aimed at revitalizing U.S. manufacturing by drawing production back from China. Friedman sharply criticized the strategy, stating, “Hire clowns, expect a circus,” emphasizing a disconnect between the administration’s initial actions and the lack of a coherent, long-term plan.

Friedman elaborated on the importance of having a strategy beyond imposing tariffs, asking, “How do you then build the industrial base that you want to take advantage of the time you’re buying with your tariffs?” He pointed out that while Trump aimed to establish barriers against China, American automotive firms were enduring significant setbacks as a result of these tariffs. Ford, for instance, faced a downgrade from S&P, which Friedman attributed directly to Trump’s opposition to electric vehicles.

Citing that Ford complied with the Biden administration’s progressive policies on electric vehicles, Friedman lamented the inconsistency of the Trump administration’s stance. He remarked on Trump’s dismissal of electric vehicles, framing it as outdated gendered rhetoric, saying, “EVs are for girly men. We only do manly industries.” This dismissive attitude, according to Friedman, undermines the forward momentum of the automotive industry and the broader economy.

Friedman also contested claims from Trump supporters regarding the restoration of factory jobs in America. He expressed a preference for future generations to engage in innovative roles such as designing and inventing electric vehicles rather than traditional manufacturing jobs. His vision extended to a broader ecosystem of technologies, including autonomous cars and clean energy alternatives, which he felt were being overlooked in favor of regressive energy policies like reopening coal plants.

Finally, Friedman criticized the Trump administration’s focus on dismantling research funding for American universities as a misguided priority. He argued that the emphasis should be on enhancing research capabilities rather than punishing institutions for their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “I’d be focused on doubling down on the research capacity of these universities,” he said, condemning the administration’s approach as fundamentally unproductive.

Friedman concluded his remarks by calling attention to the need for serious, forward-thinking leadership rather than superficial policies, asserting that the current administration’s actions lack genuine commitment to American innovation and industry.

To hear more about Friedman’s thoughts, find the full discussion here.

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