The expert said relying on tariffs to protect the local economy is unsustainable in the long term.
DUBAI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Emirati international relations expert Mohammed bin Sultan has criticized U.S. tariff policies as an ill-considered step that brought negative consequences to the U.S. economy.
By imposing these tariffs, President Donald Trump demonstrated a lack of deep understanding of the interconnected global trade and its impact on consumers, bin Sultan told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.
The tariffs, he said, led to higher prices for imported goods, reducing U.S. consumers' purchasing power. "These policies made everyday life more expensive, particularly for low-income families."
Instead of revitalizing domestic industries as intended, Trump's policies triggered retaliatory tariffs from other countries. "This escalation of trade wars not only strained international relations but also harmed American businesses that depend on global markets," the expert said.
"During the first 100 days (of Trump's second term), it was expected that these policies would boost economic growth. However, the reality was quite different. Many major companies voiced concerns over the instability caused by these measures, which in turn affected their investment plans and overall growth," bin Sultan said.
The expert said relying on tariffs to protect the local economy is unsustainable in the long term. "Instead of addressing the fundamental challenges facing American industries, such as innovation and technological development, the administration resorted to short-term solutions that could harm the economy in the future."
Bin Sultan noted that Trump's tariff policy reflected a lack of strategic vision. "A more balanced approach, supporting free trade while effectively protecting local interests, would have been a better path," he said.
Describing Trump's Middle East policy as confusing and inconsistent, bin Sultan said, "It failed to achieve lasting peace or stability. On the contrary, it exacerbated crises and deepened distrust between the United States and Arab countries."
Regarding the Palestinian question, he said the Trump administration made no genuine efforts to advance peace.
The expert characterized U.S. relations with the Gulf countries as unstable. "While the Trump administration sought to build alliances with countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to confront Iran, these relationships were undermined by tensions resulting from Trump's broader regional policies," he said.■
