What the tariffs will mean politically

After the sweeping tariffs were unveiled on April 2 on nearly all United States trading partners, the impact on the stock market was felt immediately, but how would this impact the political parties in the coming elections? Political Science Professor Grant Reeher offers a few thoughts. He is available to speak to reporters on all aspects of American politics.

• “Here’s the way all this is likely to go down politically:  All things being equal and according to Hoyle, the Republicans were likely to lose the House in 2026.  Now that’s a lock.  In the next few months, there will be more pressure to pass a tax cut bill, in the hopes that it can stem some of the bleeding, and so that is likely to get through.  But after that, Republicans will be banished into the political wilderness, perhaps for generations—if the Democrats can change course from 2024 and pivot to an emphasis on real economic issues that appeal to all social groups.  As opposed 2008 and 2020, when a fundamentally ill-structured mortgage securities market and a pandemic produced worldwide economic downturns, this one was produced by one person, acting unilaterally, ignoring expert consensus, and without a clear goal.  Democrats will be able to run against the current moment in the same way that Republicans were able to ‘wave the bloody shirt’ for years after the Civil War, Democrats ran against ‘Hoovervilles,’ and Republicans ran against Carter’s ‘malaise,'” said Reeher.

To arrange an interview, please contact media relations executive director Ellen James Mbuqe at ejmbuqe@syr.edu.