Leaders| MAGAlomania
Donald Trump’s economic delusions are already hurting America
The president and reality are drifting apart
Donald Trump brandishing a petrol jerrycan and a lit dollar bill
image: The Economist/Getty Images
In his speech to Congress on March 4th President Donald Trump painted a fantastical picture. The American Dream, he declared, was surging bigger and better than ever before. His tariffs would preserve jobs, make America richer still, and protect its very soul. Unfortunately, in the real world things look different. Investors, consumers and companies show the first signs of souring on the Trumpian vision. With his aggressive and erratic protectionism, Mr Trump is playing with fire.