Story perspectives

Tariffs Backfire: Manufacturing Jobs Plummet Under Trump

3/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Jay Allen, the Trump-supporting owner of Allen Engineering Corp. in Arkansas, faces higher costs for essential materials due to tariffs.
The U.S. President Donald Trump claimed tariffs would boost American manufacturing, but 98,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in his first year back in office.
The White House attributes rising construction spending to Biden-era initiatives.
Economists warn tariff uncertainty deters investment and critics say Trump's approach lacks international cooperation.

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Story summary

Jay Allen, the Trump-supporting owner of Allen Engineering Corp. in Arkansas, faces higher costs for essential materials due to tariffs.
The U.S. President Donald Trump claimed tariffs would boost American manufacturing, but 98,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in his first year back in office.
The White House attributes rising construction spending to Biden-era initiatives.
Economists warn tariff uncertainty deters investment and critics say Trump's approach lacks international cooperation.