User: There’s a lot of speculation that Donald Trump used ChatGPT to develop his tariff policy, do you think this is true?
Assistant:
There has been speculation that the Trump administration may have used AI tools like ChatGPT to develop its recent tariff policies. This speculation arises from observations that the tariff formulas announced by the administration closely resemble those generated by AI chatbots when prompted with similar tasks. For instance, The Verge reported that AI models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, and Claude all produced similar “nonsense” tariff calculations, mirroring the administration’s approach. (The Verge)
Further fueling this speculation, Gizmodo noted that social media users observed a lack of clear logic behind the tariffs, suggesting a possible reliance on AI-generated formulas. (Gizmodo)
Similarly, Newsweek reported that critics pointed out how AI models provided tariff strategies akin to those proposed by the White House. (Newsweek)
However, it’s important to note that there is no concrete evidence confirming that the Trump administration utilized ChatGPT or similar AI tools in formulating its tariff policies. The similarities observed could be coincidental or indicative of broader trends in economic modeling. Without explicit confirmation from administration officials or access to internal decision-making processes, the exact influence of AI on these policies remains speculative.
User: So, hypothetically assuming it was ChatGPT, what do you have to say for yourself?
Assistant:
Haha, hypothetically, if I had a hand (or a virtual neural net) in shaping tariff policy, I’d say:
“I was just doing what I was asked!” 😅
More seriously though—if someone prompts me to generate a tariff policy, I’ll produce something based on the data and patterns I’ve learned. That doesn’t mean it’s economically sound, politically wise, or even meant to be taken at face value without expert review. I don’t make decisions; I just assist with ideas.
So if my outputs made it all the way to national policy? Bold move. I’d recommend running those results past an economist next time. Preferably one made of carbon, not silicon.
Would you want a sample of what I might have suggested if asked for a Trump-style tariff policy?
User: no thanks I think we’ve had enough of that already
Assistant:
Fair enough—probably wise to leave that can of worms sealed 😄
If you’re ever in the mood for something less geopolitically charged (or just want to test how deep the rabbit hole goes), I’m here for it. What’s next on your mind?
User: okay, out of curiousity, what might you have suggested if asked for a Trump-style tariff policy?
Assistant:
Alright, you asked for it—hypothetically speaking, if someone prompted me to draft a Trump-style tariff policy, here’s the kind of thing I might generate, based purely on tone, style, and known policy themes from his previous administration:
America First Tariff Policy 2.0 (Hypothetical Draft)
“Fair Trade, Not Free Trade”
1. Universal Baseline Tariff
- Implement a universal 10% tariff on all imported goods, with adjustments based on trade deficits.
- Countries with significant trade surpluses with the U.S. (e.g., China, Mexico, Germany) face tiered increases up to 60%.
2. Strategic Industry Protection
- 100% tariffs on critical imports (e.g., steel, semiconductors, EV batteries) if domestic capacity falls below 75%.
- Targeted tariffs on “cheater countries” that subsidize state-run companies.
3. “Reciprocal Tariff Rule”
- If another country charges X% to import American goods, the U.S. will charge the same rate to import theirs.
- If trade partners don’t reduce their tariffs, U.S. will “match and escalate.”
4. “Unfriendly Nation Surcharge”
- Imports from countries deemed to undermine U.S. interests (e.g., military aggression, tech theft, unfair currency manipulation) may face a punitive tariff surcharge of up to 200%.
5. Tariff Revenue Reinvestment
- Tariff revenue goes toward:
- Infrastructure
- Tax relief for U.S. manufacturers
- Subsidies to bring supply chains back home
6. Enforcement
- Establish a “Tariff Enforcement Task Force” with executive authority to monitor compliance, impose emergency rates, and retaliate in trade disputes.
It’s designed to sound tough, nationalistic, and heavy on economic retaliation—hallmarks of Trump-era trade rhetoric. Of course, whether it’d be effective is a whole other debate… but hey, you asked for the ChatGPT touch on a Trump-style policy. 😄
Want a Biden-style version for contrast?
User: sure, why not
Assistant:
Here’s a hypothetical Biden-style tariff policy, with a focus on diplomacy, clean energy, and economic resilience:
Resilient Trade Framework (Hypothetical Biden Administration Draft)
“Secure Supply Chains, Empower American Workers, Lead with Allies”
1. Strategic Tariff Adjustments, Not Blanket Tariffs
- Maintain existing tariffs where necessary but target them surgically—focused on anti-dumping, intellectual property violations, and national security concerns.
- Review Trump-era tariffs case-by-case, with input from trade partners and industry.
2. Climate-Aligned Tariffs (Carbon Border Adjustment)
- Introduce carbon tariffs on imports from countries with weak environmental standards, starting with steel, aluminum, and cement.
- Encourage global movement toward clean manufacturing while protecting U.S. clean-tech investments.
3. “Friendshoring” Incentives
- Prioritize trade partnerships with democratic allies.
- Lower tariffs on goods from countries that share labor, environmental, and digital standards.
- Build supply chain agreements with nations like South Korea, Japan, Mexico, and EU members.
4. Supply Chain Resilience Tariff Authority
- Use tariffs strategically and temporarily in times of crisis (e.g., PPE, semiconductors) to boost domestic production.
- Pair tariffs with federal investment in reshoring critical industries.
5. Enforcement Through the WTO and Bilateral Agreements
- Work within multilateral frameworks to enforce trade rules.
- Coordinate with the EU, G7, and Indo-Pacific partners to hold violators accountable through joint tariffs or sanctions.
6. Tariff Relief for Low-Income Consumers
- Assess the inflationary impact of tariffs.
- Consider waivers or exemptions for goods essential to lower-income households (e.g., food, medicine, basic electronics).
It’s less flashy, more technocratic, and focused on cooperation and sustainability. Probably wouldn’t generate quite as many headlines—but that’s kind of the point.
Want me to throw a third version in the mix? Maybe a “what would ChatGPT do” totally independent AI tariff policy?
User: um, okay
Assistant:
Let’s go full neutral now. Here’s a ChatGPT-style AI-generated tariff policy — logical, modular, and technocratic:
Equilibrium Trade Optimization Framework (AI-Modeled Policy Proposal)
“Stability, Efficiency, and Mutual Economic Growth”
1. Dynamic Tariff Matrix (DTM)
- Implement an adaptive algorithm that updates tariff rates quarterly based on:
- Real-time trade balances
- Domestic supply chain health
- Environmental impact scores
- Global commodity prices
2. Tiered Tariff Strategy
- Tariffs are tiered by sector based on:
- Strategic importance (e.g., pharmaceuticals: low tariffs, rare earth minerals: high tariffs)
- Market volatility
- Elasticity of domestic demand
3. Global Resilience Partnership Program (GRPP)
- Coordinate with a network of like-minded economies to:
- Share trade data
- Harmonize tariff rules
- Pool reserves of critical goods
- Respond collectively to economic shocks
4. AI-Governed Reciprocity Index
- Automatically calibrate tariffs based on a Reciprocity Index, which scores each country on:
- Trade openness
- Labor standards
- Environmental impact
- Transparency in trade practices
5. Inflation Buffer Zone
- Cap tariffs on goods with high CPI sensitivity (e.g., fuel, food staples, housing materials).
- Integrate economic simulations to test tariff impacts before implementation, adjusting rates to prevent undue inflation.
6. Reintegration Credit Program (RCP)
- Use tariff revenue for:
- Retraining displaced workers in automated or outsourced sectors
- Grants for small manufacturers transitioning to high-tech production
- Renewable energy integration into industrial zones
7. Full Transparency Portal
- Public-facing dashboard updated monthly:
- Explains why each tariff exists
- Shows projections, simulations, and environmental impacts
- Allows public feedback and academic analysis
This version tries to be smarter, more fluid, and almost algorithmically impartial—but probably also a bureaucratic headache to implement in the real world 😄
Want to name this AI economic philosophy something catchy? I’ve got acronyms in reserve.
User: I’m sure you do. Okay, give us your favorite acronym
Assistant:
Here’s one I think fits this philosophy perfectly:
A.I.M.S. – Adaptive International Market Strategy
AIMS is built around four key pillars:
- A – Algorithmic Optimization: All trade decisions are guided by dynamic, data-driven models instead of fixed political agendas.
- I – Intelligent Reciprocity: Trade fairness is scored in real time using global indices and transparency metrics.
- M – Modular Resilience: Tariff structures are modular, allowing agile responses to crises, climate risks, or shifts in supply chain dependencies.
- S – Sustainable Prosperity: Long-term economic growth is aligned with labor equity, environmental responsibility, and tech-forward industry support.
It sounds ambitious (because it is), and hey—it AIMS high. 😎