The Wall Street Journal questioned why the administration was quite so defensive about Trump’s import tariffs.
that found American households and businesses are bearing almost 90 percent of the cost of tariffs—and not foreign countries, as President Donald Trump has insisted—the director of the National Economic Council went on CNBC to hurl insults and defend the president’s controversial tariffs.
“The paper is an embarrassment,” Kevin Hassett, 63, said of the study. He went on to call the research “the worst paper I’ve ever seen in the history of the Federal Reserve system” and suggested that the authors behind it should be “disciplined” for their findings.The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board did not mince words when sharing its thoughts on Hassett’s comments, in a piece published on Thursday under the headline “The Embarrassing Truth About Tariffs.” “If the tariffs are such an unambiguous economic and political winner, why is the Administration so defensive about them?” it asked. “Clearly the White House is worried that voters might conclude this research aligns with their own experience.” The board also pointed out that the New York Fed’s analysis aligns with other research that has been published by Harvard economists and the German Kiel Institute. “And with common sense,” it added.“TARIFFS have given us Great National Security because the mere mention of the word has Countries agreeing to our strongest wishes,” Trump claimed. The Journal’s editorial board argued that the administration’s response to the research “is a symptom of the political problem the White House is encountering from tariffs.” “Thirteen months into Mr. Trump’s term and with elections looming,” it continued, “opinion polls show voters remain worried about the economy.” The president’shas continued to tank as voters become increasingly concerned, with inflation and the cost of living consistently registering as the biggest concern for Americans. The editorial board suggested that the Trump administration may be seeking to warn Trump’s nominee to replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, Kevin Warsh, away from adopting a similar approach to that of his predecessor, who has “Here’s a better idea,” the board wrote. “If your tariff policy is so unpopular that you have to bully the central bank into not talking about it, maybe it’s time for a new policy.”The editorial is the latest in a long line of editorials published by the Murdoch-owned paper that have criticized the Trump administration.senior Trump officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for his crusade against Sen. Mark Kelly, whom the president accused of sedition after he appeared in a video reminding service members that they had a duty to disobey illegal orders. While Trump and Rupert Murdoch have been friendly, the Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal has not shied away from criticizing the president in its editorials.that Trump’s antics could cost Republicans dearly in the upcoming midterm elections. “It’s hard to know what Mr. Trump might do next, which feeds public anxiety,” it wrote, noting that “as his popularity ebbs, so does his political capital.”Referring to Trump’s fixation on owning Greenland, Jenkins wrote that the president “needs therapy more than the United States needs to own the island to ensure its defense.” “I’m perfectly serious. Once he started unburdening himself of his insecurities and traumas, he probably wouldn’t stop for a week. The world, and the U.S., would be better for it.”
The-Wall-Street-Journal Cnbc Tariffs
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump gets DHS shutdown ‘bully pulpit’ with State of the Union addressTrump will return to the Capitol next Tuesday for a prime-time address overshadowed by the funding stalemate.
Read more »
Trump adviser Kevin Hassett slams NY Fed tariff study: 'Worst paper I've ever seen'Today's Business Headlines: 02/17/26
Read more »
Collin County sees surge as early voting begins on paper ballotsCollin County officials say early voting turnout doubled as voters use hand-marked paper ballots in the March 3, 2026 primary election.
Read more »
North West Signs to Gamma — The Same Company Ye Partnered With for ‘Bully’North West has signed to Gamma, former Apple executive Larry Jackson‘s independent music company that's vying to be a top contender in the industry.
Read more »
Team USA can't overlook 'stingy' Slovakia test in Olympic semifinal — even with edge on paperOn paper, Team USA ought to have the edge.
Read more »
Third grader left with broken teeth after attack in school hallway by bully, family saysA Chicago third grader was left with broken teeth after she was attacked in her school's hallway by a student her family says has been bullying her.
Read more »