'Trump's tariffs proposal is a preview of the corruption to come'

[sop]

"As soon as tariffs were enacted in his first term, his administration was besieged by lobbyists, who filed thousands of requests for special exemptions and carve-outs to allow their clients to import goods and parts without paying the tariffs."

"And who found favor with the Trump administration? According to one study, companies that had donated to Republican candidates were more likely to get their exemption requests approved; one of the researchers called it 'a very effective spoils system.' While small businesses lacked the resources to file for exclusions, bigger corporations and their chief executives could expend the time and money necessary to claim carve-outs."

"And since everyone knows that Trump is not above a personal payoff, (companies) might feel it wise to put money directly in his pocket. There are multiple ways to do so: They could book rooms at his resorts (as many did in his first term), or boost the price of his stock in the Trump Media & Technology Group with a large purchase of shares, or invest in his sketchy crypto enterprise, or perhaps buy a few thousand Trump Bibles or Trump sneakers or Trump watches. This president makes it easy to grease his palm."

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-tariffs-mexico-china-canada-corruption-rcna181881