Trump's quick decisions may be short-lived – again

President Donald Trump has once again shaken up the global economy by imposing new tariffs on goods from a range of countries. The decision, made just hours before it was announced in the White House Rose Garden, has raised concerns in both the business community and on global stock markets. But there is a pattern – and this is not the first time Trump has made drastic decisions and then changed his mind.

A familiar pattern

During his first term, Trump made several aggressive decisions that were later retracted, toned down, or reversed. He launched a trade war with China, threatened tariffs on European cars, pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement, and ordered a rapid withdrawal of troops from Syria. In several of these cases, a change of course occurred within days or weeks.

Tariffs against Canada and Mexico were also rolled back as a new trade deal could be negotiated. In the case of North Korea, Trump went from threatening “fire and fury” to talking about friendship and holding historic meetings with Kim Jong-un.

Now: Tariffs without impact assessment

The new tariffs imposed in April 2025 hit both friends and competitors – from India and Brazil to European allies. According to reporting from The Washington Post The decision was made with minimal input from Congress, business leaders, or diplomatic advisers. The formula used to calculate the tariff levels was described as “simple and ill-conceived.”

Several industries in the US are already reporting rising prices, supply chain concerns, and lost export revenues. In a sensitive election year, such consequences could be significant.

Change of course this time too?

Trump is known to value his image and his voters highly – and if the market reacts strongly negatively, or if American companies press on, it is not inconceivable that these tariffs will also be adjusted, paused or renegotiated. For example, several voices in Congress have already begun to question whether the White House has gone too far.

Even in the case of cryptocurrencies, Trump has changed his tune. From calling Bitcoin a scam, he has now approached Elon Musk and expressed some openness to digital currencies – a turn that was previously unthinkable.

Statements directly from Trump

Trump himself has commented on the criticism of the tariffs – and his message is clear. In a post on Truth Social on April 4, 2025, he wrote in all caps:

"CHINA PLAYED IT WRONG. PANIC TARIFFS NEVER WORK. MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE!"

Another formulation in the same spirit was:

“MY POLICIES WILL NEVER CHANGE!”

We show the quotes in capital letters (capital text) because that is exactly how they were published by Trump himself – a style he often uses to reinforce his point and appear uncompromising.

But at the same time, history shows that even the most determined declarations are sometimes followed by changes in course – something we have previously seen in both trade, foreign policy and technology issues.

Trump's way of communicating – with bold statements in capital letters – does not always mean that a policy is set in stone. A recent example is how he has approached cryptocurrencies and Elon Musk.

Previously, he called cryptocurrencies “fraud” and “air,” but in 2024–2025 he has increasingly expressed support for Elon Musk, praised technological innovation – and even indirectly legitimized Dogecoin, which he previously laughed at.

When a $258 billion lawsuit against Musk was dismissed in August 2024 (regarding manipulation of Dogecoin), Trump chose not to criticize but rather to open up for more “freedom in the market.”

Such reversals – from harsh criticism to openness – are typical of Trump, showing that even his “irreversible” tariff decisions may in reality be more negotiable than they first appear.

Conclusion

Donald Trump often acts quickly, decisively, and without warning. But history shows that many of his most high-profile decisions don't last long. When pressure mounts—from the market, from politicians, or from voters—it's not uncommon for the White House to suddenly change direction.

The question is not just what Trump decided. The question is how long he will stick to it.

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Text: The editorial staff

Image license: PeterKraayvanger, Pixabay, original image