President Trump, tariffs, deportation, & free press

Dear Editor,
An editorial in another media (Feb 5) posits that the American President Trump is using tariff against trading partners to cloak a desire ostensibly to restrict free speech that is critical of him. Several examples of pressure on media houses have been cited to bolster the argument. The editorial concluded that Trump’s descent into authoritarianism has begun.
Guyanese-Americans I engaged disagree with both conclusions. In fact, they are supportive of President Trump’s activist policies. It is noted that some half- Guyanese-Americans, largely but not exclusively Indo-Guyanese, voted for Trump, and proudly so. Also, while in Guyana last week, several Guyanese I engaged supported Trump’s immigration policies, including that of deporting undocumented Guyanese and green card residents who had committed crimes.
Guyanese-Americans voted for Trump largely because of the immigration issue – of having to foot the bill of millions of illegal immigrants who crossed the southern border over the last few years. Those undocumented persons made unreasonable demands for hospitality, and were given four- or five-star treatment, while ‘legal’ Guyanese and other Americans had to work very hard to foot their own bills.
Some of those undocumented migrants committed crimes, including against Guyanese. Guyanese complained that when they and other illegals came to USA as undocumented during the 1960s thru 1990s, and even later, they worked very hard and built their lives. No government agency helped them. They violated immigration laws, but did not commit crimes to hurt others. They felt it was wrong for Democratic state and city governments to aid the undocumented.
The Democrats’ policy on immigration, among other issues, led to their defeat and Trump’s victory in the 2024 elections. In a visit to Little Guyana and Little Trinidad over the weekend, I found the places abandoned. The undocumented have not reported for duty in stores, restaurants, on construction sites and elsewhere over the last two weeks, fearful of being picked up by ICE.
Guyanese-Americans don’t like or support some of President Trump’s Executive Orders, but they back him on such issues as ramping up deportation of undocumented immigrants, tariffs, pulling back on foreign aid, and dismantling aspects of diversity, among other orders. They are not wholly supportive of tariffs against Mexico and Canada, but have no problem with tariffs against China. They feel trading deficits with China should be reduced.
Unfortunately, many of them don’t understand the effect of tariffs – raising the price of imports on which the tariff is imposed. Guyanese, like all Americans, don’t wish to pay more for goods, especially foods from Mexico and Canada. They have no problem with the President’s tariff, but want cheaper imports; which is a contradiction.
USA gets a lot of its winter foods from Mexico. Canada also has a lot of green houses that produce food that is exported to USA. Trump has stayed for a month the imposition of tariffs on Mexico and Canada, and it is likely to be stayed permanently after trade negotiations.
On freedom of expression, it is almost impossible to silence the American media and public voice. There is a long tradition of free press in the USA, supported by both Republicans and Democrats. They would not bow to authoritarianism.
Unlike Guyanese, Americans fearlessly express their views on governance and politicians. They are not afraid of politicians, and are known to vote out corrupt politicians. Unlike Guyana, America has truly independent branches of Government that hold the Executive branch accountable. There is a balance of power among the three branches. The American Supreme Court, though under the control of a super majority of Republican-appointed Judges, has been known to protect free speech. That powerful court would not yield its power to the Executive, or support the rise of authoritarianism.
At any rate, Guyanese do not view Trump as authoritarian. In fact, they are very impressed with how Trump uses presidential power. No president has used power the way he has thus far used it. Over the last two weeks, he has reshaped how the Chief Executive exercises power.
Trump will remain powerful during the remainder of his tenure, but Americans will not lose their rights. Trump is not looking to restrict rights or deport people who lawfully reside in the USA; he has support to deport criminals. America may be returning to what political scientists once called the ‘imperial presidency’, or having a very powerful president but not an authoritarian ruler. America has checks and balances against abuse of power by any politician. And they hold the corrupt accountable, unlike in Guyana.

Sincerely,
Vishnu Bisram