Belle explains what economic sanctions are—tools used to disrupt another country’s economy without resorting to war. Sanctions usually involve restrictions on imports and exports, freezing government funds, and travel bans that cut off revenue.
She then flips the perspective: many of Trump’s own policies resemble sanctions against the United States itself. His tariffs and trade restrictions have raised costs, his freezes of congressionally approved funds have choked government functions, and his policies have driven down international travel, cutting revenue.
Even more, Trump announced the federal government would demand 15% of certain chipmakers’ export revenue—a move Belle notes violates the Constitution’s ban on export taxes.
Bottom line: If Trump’s economic measures were applied to another country, they’d be considered a “comprehensive sanctions package.” Instead, he’s effectively sanctioning the U.S. economy, making it weaker at home and abroad.
