Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Ben Gurion Airport's airspace closed to air traffic following missile launch from Yemen
Israeli media: Echoes of several explosions heard in central occupied territories
United States: A federal judge temporarily blocks President Donald Trump from deploying 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland
Syria: Local sources for Al-Mayadeen: An IOF patrol consisting of 4 vehicles entered the village of Suissa in the southern countryside of Quneitra
Trump on Truth Social: When Hamas confirms, the Ceasefire will be IMMEDIATELY effective
Trump on Truth Social: After negotiations, 'Israel' has agreed to the initial withdrawal line, which we have shown to, and shared with, Hamas
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: We tell the enemy soldiers that we are not far from you, and you will see our faces whenever we decide to, because we are waging a harsh and complex battle of attrition
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is advancing toward the heart of Gaza City under the watchful eyes of our Resistance fighters with their tactics focused on valuable targets
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is advancing slowly and using unmanned vehicles to uncover and target combat nodes, which we are aware of
An al-Quds Brigades field commander to Al Mayadeen: We carried out a number of heroic operations, and the enemy, as usual, is lying and misleading the public about its human losses

Former US Treasury Secretary says Trump tariffs policy 'misguided'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Apr 2025 11:44
3 Min Read

Yellen slams Trump’s tariff strategy as "misguided," warning it lacks clear objectives, risks harming US households, and could weaken global economic ties, especially with China and Vietnam.

Listen
  • x
  • Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks at the IRS about the upcoming tax filing season on November 7, 2023, at IRS headquarters in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
    Former US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaking at the IRS on November 7, 2023, at IRS headquarters in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Former US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen criticized US President Donald Trump's tariff strategy as "misguided," saying the logic behind it lacks clarity and coherence.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Yellen said, "Well, frankly, I think the entire policy has been misguided. The objectives are unclear. The rationale for the tariffs that have been announced really unclear and not at all sensible. Steps toward removing the tariffs, lowering them are positive, but we are in a world of tremendous uncertainty."

She also questioned the decision to impose steep tariffs on Vietnam, pointing out that the US had previously encouraged Vietnamese manufacturing as a way to diversify global supply chains for national security.

With regards to China, Yellen suggested Beijing would likely ease its trade barriers if Washington did the same, warning that the tariffs risked burdening US households and weakening economic ties between the two countries.

Yellen also noted that recent bond market turbulence and a softening US dollar signaled a potential “loss of confidence,” although she said the situation hasn’t yet warranted intervention from the Federal Reserve.

Related News

Hamas: Israeli bombing of Gaza exposes Netanyahu’s lies

Trump: 'Israel' agrees to initial withdrawal pending Hamas reply

Trump had announced a reciprocal tariff policy on April 2, setting a base rate of 10%, to be adjusted based on what each country charges US imports.

A week later, he introduced a 90-day pause for all countries except China, which remained subject to steeper tariffs. As tensions escalated, US tariffs on Chinese goods soared to 145%, while China’s duties on American products reached 125%.

US allies still in the dark on Trump's tariff goals

On Saturday, Trump's latest round of tariff impositions threw global trade diplomacy into disarray, with US allies expressing growing frustration over Washington's lack of clarity and consistency. According to a report by Politico, diplomats from over 15 countries have voiced confusion about the true aims behind the White House's escalating protectionist agenda.

"We really don't know what the Trump administration wants," admitted one Asian diplomat, reflecting widespread sentiment among trade partners who remain sidelined from any substantive dialogue with Washington.

While Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and India have reportedly engaged in limited discussions with US officials, the selective nature of these talks has raised suspicions that Washington is attempting to isolate China through ad-hoc dealmaking rather than coherent policy. Observers note that this piecemeal approach only reinforces China's argument that the US is undermining multilateralism in favor of unilateral coercion.

European officials are equally perplexed, unsure whether Trump's tariffs are meant to extract short-term concessions or represent a deeper shift toward economic nationalism. As one EU diplomat told Politico, the uncertainty stems from not knowing if this is "a deal-making strategy or the start of a paradigm shift." Former US Ambassador to Japan Ken Weinstein added that Washington appears to be testing "how far can people go to please the administration," a comment conveying the erratic nature of the current US trade posture.

  • United States
  • Vietnam War
  • China
  • Janet Yellen

Most Read

Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

  • West Asia
  • 30 Sep 2025
Trump’s 21-point Gaza plan vs Netanyahu’s demand for Hamas defeat

Trump vows 'something special' in ME; Israeli delegation in chaos

  • US & Canada
  • 28 Sep 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Activists deported to Turkey after 'Israel' hijacks Sumud Flotilla
West Asia

137 activists arrive in Turkey after 'Israel' hijacked Sumud Flotilla

Law enforcement hold back protesters near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Ill., Friday, Oct. 3, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Black Hawks and break-ins: Chicago immigration crackdown intensifies

WP: American Jews increasingly critical of 'Israel' over Gaza War
US & Canada

Majority of American Jews say 'Israel' committed war crimes in Gaza

David Ellison and his father, Larry Ellison, at the “Rebels With a Cause” gala in Hollywood, in 2014 (AP)
Politics

The Ellisons take US media power structure by storm, reshape industry

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS