耶伦站了出来，称美国正被中国“捏着短板”，特朗普在自己坑自己

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the negative impact of Trump's tariff policies on the U.S. economy, highlighting criticism from former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who argues that these policies are detrimental to American interests and ultimately harm U.S. businesses and consumers [1][6][20]. Economic Impact - Since the implementation of tariffs, U.S. economic growth has slowed, with a reported contraction of 0.3% in the first quarter of the year, marking the worst performance since the COVID-19 pandemic began [2][5]. - The tariffs have led to a surge in imports as companies stockpile goods, resulting in a record trade deficit of $162 billion in March, the highest since the 1990s [3][5]. - This "preemptive stocking" has temporarily boosted inventory investment but has drained future demand, leading to reduced new orders and consumer purchasing power [3][5]. Trade Relations - The retaliatory tariffs imposed by the EU and Japan have adversely affected U.S. agricultural exports, particularly soybeans, which saw a decline in export volumes [5][6]. - Yellen emphasizes that the ongoing tariff war will only exacerbate the economic challenges faced by the U.S., as multiple vulnerabilities are tied to reliance on China [6][20]. Key Vulnerabilities - The U.S. is heavily dependent on China for rare earth elements, with China controlling 70% of global rare earth mining and 90% of refining, which are critical for various industries including technology and defense [8][16]. - The tariffs have disrupted supply chains, with U.S. manufacturers facing increased costs and quality issues due to reliance on Chinese components [11][13]. - The high demand for Chinese products means that tariffs ultimately burden U.S. companies, as they are forced to absorb the additional costs [14][16]. Recommendations - Yellen advocates for a cessation of the tariff policies and a restoration of trade relations with China, arguing that collaboration in future industries like clean energy and artificial intelligence is essential for U.S. economic growth [18][20]. - The article suggests that continuing the current approach could isolate the U.S. internationally, as allies may shift their alliances towards China [19][20].