Anthony Scarumucci, a former White House communications director who served 10 days during Trump's first term, denounced Trump's approach to trade policy as “meaningless” in an interview Tuesday.
Scaramucci told CNN's “Situation Room” that even if the president begins negotiations with US trading partners, “he leaves them with painful feelings,” causing long-term damage to America's reputation for credibility overseas.
“What he's doing is pointless,” Scaramucci said. “And even if he gets some wins here, he's like an arsonist who sets the house on fire, then hoses out and puts it out and declares victory.”
“So it's just that it's pointless,” he continued. “And people in the business community know that. They're afraid to talk about it.”
Last Wednesday, Trump announced it had wiped out global tariffs, including higher individual “mutual” rates, including baseline tariffs of 10% for individuals.
Tariffs are overturning global markets, and White House officials say they are flooded with calls from countries considering negotiations. Trump has recently demonstrated openness to negotiations, even defending his tariff strategy.
Scaramucci rejected the idea that Trump's approach was a “winning strategy for Americans” and refers to an economic “shock wave.”
“So this is really an addiction that draws President Trump and his attention. You are violating the trust of our allies. You are violating the trust of our trading partners,” Scaramucci said.
“There were so many different ways he could have treated this more cleverly and more politically sharp, but he wouldn't have gotten the attention he wanted,” he added. “He is very excited that we are all talking about him, and he is very excited to burn the hair of a Wall Street banker.
The White House defended the president's motivation in dealing with Scaramucci.
“The only special interest that will guide President Trump's decision is the interests of the Americans,” White House spokesman Kush Desai said in an email.
“The entire administration is in line with dealing with national emergency justified by President Trump. It is raised by our nation running normal trade obstacles. This means decimation of American industry, screaming from the American community, trillions of US wealth flowing into the hands of foreigners.”
Update: 3:57pm
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5238507-scaramucci-trump-trade-policy/
