Written By Lexx Thornton
President Donald Trump stated Sunday that he has agreed to delay a 50% tariff on European Union imports until July 9, the latest instance of Trump declaring an impending tariff and throwing markets into confusion only to later walk back the threatened levies. Trump said he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had a “very nice call” that led to the delay. But what does this mean for the African American community?
Delaying tariffs can affect the Black community in the U.S. in both direct and indirect ways, depending on the type of goods involved, the industries targeted, and broader economic consequences. Some jobs could be affected by this decision. If tariffs are meant to protect U.S. industries like steel, textiles, or manufacturing, delaying them could mean:
- More competition from abroad
- Job losses or slowed job growth in those sectors
This could disproportionately affect Black workers if they are overrepresented in the affected industry. If tariffs are delayed on goods competing with U.S. textile production, and that sector has a high Black workforce, it could mean fewer job opportunities.
Broad tariff policies can lead to trade wars, inflation, or recession. Similar to how some of us are feeling in our pockets now.
During downturns, Black communities often face:
Higher unemployment
Slower job recovery
Greater wealth loss
Delaying tariffs to avoid triggering economic instability could help soften these macro-level impacts on Black households and communities.
In summary, there could be some hard hits that the black community could take due to President Trump’s delay. Time will tell and we must continue on.