Donald Trump must be the first president in history to say that his policies will deprive American children of toys.

 We Need Cheap Stuff, and Lots of It

By Rich Lowry, National Review, May 2, 2025 - He said of goods from China that might go missing: “Much of it we don’t need.”

Then, he elaborated the point: “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know? And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.”

At that moment, Trump surely made history. He must be the first president in history to say that his policies will deprive American children of toys. The American Girl Disney Princess Cinderella Doll may be collateral damage in a trade war that is supposed to reduce our strategic dependence on China.

What Trump was ultimately dismissing is abundance, which is one of the marvels of our system. Fewer choices at a greater cost — whether of dolls or other goods — simply means a lower standard of living. (read more)

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