The ‘Real Villain’ in Trump’s Tariff Market Drop Exposed by Economist Steve Moore [WATCH]

U.S. economist Steve Moore pointed to China as the cause of Friday’s market plunge, calling the Chinese government the “real villain” behind the financial volatility that sent stocks tumbling for the second straight day.

Appearing on Jesse Watters Primetime on Friday, Moore responded to the steep decline in the markets, which followed President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new wave of tariffs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 2,200 points, extending a two-day selloff that shook investors both domestically and abroad.

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“The real villain here is China. And, as you know, the reason the market tanked today is because China tried to retaliate against it. I think that was like an economic declaration of war against the United States,” Moore said during his appearance on Fox News.

Moore, a former Trump economic advisor, said the Chinese government’s response to the tariffs highlighted the need for the U.S. to unify its global allies and take a stronger position against China’s economic behavior.

“They are an enemy of the United States. They’re engaged in predatory trade practices. They don’t play by the rules. They cheat, and they steal. That’s the country we have to bring to heel here,” Moore said.

The remarks followed China’s announcement of a 34% tariff on all U.S. imports, set to begin on April 10. According to a statement released Friday by China’s Finance Ministry, the measure was taken in direct response to President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs on Chinese goods.

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In a statement on Truth Social, President Trump responded to China’s move by saying China “played it wrong.”

He reassured Americans that his economic strategy would ultimately benefit the nation’s financial outlook, stating that his policies would lead to a “boom” in the stock markets.

Moore, echoing Trump’s outlook, said he believes the United States holds the upper hand in the ongoing trade dispute.

“They cannot win a trade war with the United States. They cannot possibly win that. And Trump is using that leverage to force them to play by the rules,” Moore said.

The latest economic tension between Washington and Beijing has reignited global concerns about the long-term stability of trade relations between the world’s two largest economies.

Friday’s market reaction reflects ongoing investor uncertainty about the impact of tit-for-tat tariffs and how they might influence global supply chains and consumer prices.

While Moore acknowledged the short-term effects on the market, he emphasized the importance of taking a hard stance against unfair practices by China.

The new tariffs announced by President Trump are part of a broader economic strategy aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit and holding China accountable for intellectual property theft, currency manipulation, and non-compliance with international trade agreements.

As of Friday’s close, all major U.S. stock indices had posted steep losses, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq also seeing declines.

Economic analysts will be watching closely in the coming days as the April 10 deadline for China’s retaliatory tariffs approaches.

The White House has not yet released additional details on the tariffs or further economic measures but has indicated it will continue to evaluate China’s response and act accordingly.

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