Managing global economics isn't for everyone.
It takes levelheadedness, a knack for diplomacy, and a basic understanding of math.
Unfortunately, if the recent tweets by businessman-turned-President Donald Trump are any indication, he may be lacking in all three.
On April 4, Trump tweeted that "when you're already $500 billion DOWN, you can't lose!"
When you’re already $500 Billion DOWN, you can’t lose!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 4, 2018
The statement was in regards to the U.S. trade deficit. America's largest deficit, by country, is with China.
In recent weeks, Trump has escalated talks of a trade war with China, slapping a 25% tariff on several Chinese-made products on April 3. China retaliated by imposing its own tariffs on $50 billion-worth of American goods, including pork and soybeans.
Many economists say these moves will inevitably hurt workers in U.S. agricultural and manufacturing sectors — ironically, the same industries Trump vowed to protect.
The scary thing, as Jimmy Kimmel pointed out during the April 5 episode of his show, is that Trump doesn't seem to understand the complexities of trade.
“[Trump] seems to think that if one side has a deficit, that side is losing by $500 billion," Kimmel said, pointing to Trump's tweet. "That's not how trade deficits work."
So, on the off-chance Trump might be tuning in that night, the late night host asked a second-grader named Shiloh to explain the concept of trade deficits to the president.
It was funny, adorable — and actually really informative, too. Check it out (story continues below):
It's OK — if global trade isn't your forte, I'll break down Shiloh's lesson.
"What is a trade deficit?" she began the video. "It sounds like a bad thing. But really, it's just the difference between how much we buy from another country and how much we sell to that country. So, if we buy more stuff from China than we sell to them, that's a trade deficit."
"But don't freak out," she assured viewers. "We didn't actually lose anything, because we have all the stuff we bought."
Despite the scary name, deficits can actually be a good thing, she explained — it often indicates a strong national economy and means we have more money on hand to spend.
"But there are problems," as she pointed out.
Trump's more populist, protectionist ideas have some merit. She said, "Some American workers lose their jobs making stuff if we buy that stuff from other countries." Those abroad who end up with those jobs may work under dangerous working conditions and get paid less than U.S. workers would have.
The moral of Shiloh's story?
Trade deficits are complicated. They result in both pros and cons for us in the U.S. And the totality of their effects can't be adequately summed up in a 280-character tweet.
"So, are trade deficits good or bad? They're both, Mr. President," Shiloh concluded. "If you have any other questions, let me know. Good luck."
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Learn More Here: Jimmy Kimmel asked a 2nd grader to explain trade to Trump. She didn’t disappoint.
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