One thing is definitely true: Protectionism/mercantilism on trade has been Trump's biggest (only?) policy through-line from the time he began commenting on politics in the late 80s through today. It was always some version of, "Foreign countries treat us like suckers."

Even in 2012, he thought Romney went to far to the right on immigration.

Paul Fairie

One thing is definitely true: Protectionism/mercantilism on trade has been Trump's biggest (only?) policy through-line from the time he began commenting on politics in the late 80s through today. It was always some version of, "Foreign countries treat us like suckers."

Even in 2012, he thought Romney went to far to the right on immigration.

https://x.com/paulisci/status/1907832391093379524

Trump Proposes Import Tariff: Real estate developer and airline owner Donald J. Trump proposed placing a tariff on imports, saying the United States is being "ripped off" on the global market. "Japan has truly taken advantage of the United States," Trump told about 700 people gathered at a monthly meeting of the Wings Club, a 1,500-member aviation group, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan. "West Germany, and now we get a double dose, is truly ripping us off," he said, in an apparent reference to the opening of the Berlin Wall to East Germany. "It's frightening, it's scary." The solution would be a 20% tax on imports from those nations, he said.
--The Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov 1989