Trump’s Economic Gambit: How Tariffs, Mass Deportations, and a Wealthy Elite Agenda Are Leaving Gen Z Behind

By Josiah Carrasco

In a post-pandemic world where young people are already fighting an uphill battle for economic stability, Donald Trump’s plans for tariffs and mass deportations could disrupt an already fragile economy, burdening the very voters he once claimed to champion. Instead of working to level the playing field, these policies serve to solidify power and wealth at the top while leaving the rest of the country — particularly young and working-class Americans — to shoulder the burden.

The Tariff Trap: A Tax on the Middle Class

One of the most visible aspects of Trump’s economic agenda is his enthusiasm for tariffs. Often branded as a move to “protect American industry,” tariffs, in practice, function as a tax on imports. The result? Higher prices on goods that Americans use daily, from electronics to cars and even basic groceries. Contrary to his claim that tariffs punish foreign economies, economists widely agree that the real costs get passed directly to American consumers.

Trump’s tariffs, previously slapped on China and other trade partners, pushed costs up across the board, affecting the prices of both raw materials and finished goods. In 2018 alone, his tariffs cost American consumers an estimated $32 billion. The idea that tariffs protect U.S. industries may sound appealing, but the reality is that only a few select industries — those with powerful lobbying arms — benefit. Small businesses, already strained by inflation and tight supply chains, struggle to keep up with rising import costs, often having no choice but to pass these costs onto consumers.

Who can afford higher prices in an economy that’s only just recovering? Certainly not Gen Z, who are entering the workforce at a time when wages still lag behind the cost of living. Tariffs may protect certain corporations, but they do little for everyday Americans. And while Trump claims to support American workers, his policies seem more focused on protecting the profits of wealthy CEOs than on boosting the buying power of average citizens.

The Economic Fallout of Mass Deportations

Beyond tariffs, Trump’s promise of sweeping mass deportations would hit the economy where it hurts most. Labor shortages are already a pressing issue, particularly in sectors like agriculture, construction, hospitality, and healthcare, which rely heavily on immigrant labor. Deporting millions of workers would amplify these shortages, causing prices to spike as labor becomes scarce and pushing American businesses into crisis mode.

Studies show that undocumented immigrants contribute billions to the U.S. economy each year, paying into Social Security and taxes while also working jobs that many Americans simply aren’t willing to take. Deporting these individuals is not only morally fraught but economically reckless, potentially wiping out hundreds of billions in GDP.

For Gen Z, who are just entering a competitive job market, mass deportations could drive up the cost of living as businesses struggle to cope with labor gaps. The National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that deportations would decrease the average GDP by about 1.3%, a hit that would translate into weaker job markets and stagnating wages — hardly the “booming economy” Trump touts in his speeches.

Who Benefits? The Rich, and Only the Rich

Trump’s policies don’t just fail to support young Americans; they’re practically tailor-made to protect the interests of the wealthiest Americans. CEOs like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg — who have all signaled support for Trump — stand to benefit from policies that weaken labor rights, keep wages low, and shift the tax burden onto working-class Americans. Despite promises to “drain the swamp,” Trump’s tax policies during his first term delivered major windfalls to corporations and the top 1%, even as income inequality in the United States reached unprecedented levels.

For Gen Z voters, many of whom are focused on income equality, affordable healthcare, and climate change, the allure of a candidate promising everything to the rich while burdening the young is wearing thin. Gen Z is the most diverse generation in American history and deeply aware of the economic inequities that Trump’s policies only exacerbate. When Trump promises to be the “jobs president,” the data tells a different story — one where billionaires prosper while workers struggle to make ends meet.

The Future: A New Generation of Voters Calls for Change

While Trump’s plans spell out a troubling economic forecast, there’s a hopeful side to this story. Gen Z, who came out in historic numbers to vote in the 2020 election, now understands more than ever the power of the vote. As this generation becomes more politically engaged, they’re advocating for policies that support working families, climate action, and an economy that truly works for everyone, not just those at the top. In this, the Democratic Party has an opportunity to build a coalition with young Americans by standing up for economic justice, affordable education, and healthcare.

Ultimately, Trump’s economic vision is out of touch with the needs of a modern American workforce and economy. For a generation that values sustainability, equality, and fairness, policies that cater to the elite simply won’t cut it. With young voters more informed and motivated than ever, it’s likely that Trump’s empty promises and elite-focused policies will only push them further into the arms of leaders who genuinely represent their interests.