Trump is trying to reinvent 1950 with his tariffs. He should be planning for 2050

President Donald Trump is overhauling the wrong economic policies, and it’s putting at risk national security and millions of future jobs.In a major escalation of his trade war, Trump this week announced tariffs on several US trading partners in the hopes that it’ll reinvigorate American manufacturing, an industry that’s been in decline for decades. Meanwhile, the advancement of AI — which could spur job growth and strengthen national security — has taken a backseat completely.The Trump administration recognizes the importance of remaining a global leader in AI, and is expected to unveil a strategy sometime this year. But some of the administration’s actions so far could sabotage America’s momentum in the AI race with China, such as gutting funding for universities and calling for the dismantling of the CHIPS & Science Act. That couldn’t come at a worse time, after Chinese startup DeepSeek released in January a powerful model developed at a much lower cost compared to US competitors.Stiff tariffs won’t usher in the economic success Trump is seeking, according to most economists, but cementing global dominance in AI could, yet Trump isn’t dedicating nearly as much energy to it. Instead, his policies are undermining the potential for scientific innovation, which is crucial in the AI race.“Trump and his advisers see the world in a 19th century perspective, wanting to return to a manufacturing economy,” said Susan Ariel Aaronson, research professor of international affairs at George Washington University, told CNN. “AI now underpins a lot of other technologies that could be even more important, and the United States really needs to invest in that.”Subhed: Manufacturing is not the ticket to success

​ President Donald Trump is overhauling the wrong economic policies, and it’s putting at risk national security and millions of future jobs.In a major escalation of his trade war, Trump this week announced tariffs on several US trading partners in the hopes that it’ll reinvigorate American manufacturing, an industry that’s been in decline for decades. Meanwhile, the advancement of AI — which could spur job growth and strengthen national security — has taken a backseat completely.The Trump administration recognizes the importance of remaining a global leader in AI, and is expected to unveil a strategy sometime this year. But some of the administration’s actions so far could sabotage America’s momentum in the AI race with China, such as gutting funding for universities and calling for the dismantling of the CHIPS & Science Act. That couldn’t come at a worse time, after Chinese startup DeepSeek released in January a powerful model developed at a much lower cost compared to US competitors.Stiff tariffs won’t usher in the economic success Trump is seeking, according to most economists, but cementing global dominance in AI could, yet Trump isn’t dedicating nearly as much energy to it. Instead, his policies are undermining the potential for scientific innovation, which is crucial in the AI race.“Trump and his advisers see the world in a 19th century perspective, wanting to return to a manufacturing economy,” said Susan Ariel Aaronson, research professor of international affairs at George Washington University, told CNN. “AI now underpins a lot of other technologies that could be even more important, and the United States really needs to invest in that.”Subhed: Manufacturing is not the ticket to success Read More Breaking News, Latest News and Videos | CNN