Here we go again—Donald Trump is shaking up the establishment, this time with his latest pick for Treasury Secretary. Naturally, the D.C. elite and Wall Street insiders are clutching their pearls, speculating that this choice signals a renewed focus on tariffs. You can practically hear the gasps echoing through Manhattan boardrooms. But let’s step back for a moment and ask ourselves: why are they so terrified of a little economic patriotism?

Trump’s approach to trade has always been clear—he doesn’t believe in letting America get fleeced. Whether it’s dealing with China’s trade practices or addressing unfair competition from European markets, Trump sees tariffs as a weapon, not a dirty word. And why shouldn’t he? For decades, we’ve been told that the global free market is an untouchable sacred cow, yet somehow, America keeps ending up holding the short end of the stick. Trump’s Treasury pick could be signaling that he’s ready to call that bluff again.

The media, predictably, is in a tizzy over this. They’re trotting out the usual arguments: tariffs will hurt consumers, spark trade wars, and disrupt the global economy. You know, the same talking points we heard the first time Trump slapped tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. And yet, what happened? The sky didn’t fall. In fact, many American industries benefitted, and the economy continued to grow. But don’t expect to hear that from the New York Times.

What’s really interesting is how much this terrifies Wall Street. They like their free trade deals, even when those deals don’t actually work for American workers. Why? Because Wall Street isn’t interested in playing the long game; they’re interested in next quarter’s profits. They’ll ship manufacturing jobs overseas if it means bumping up stock prices, and then they’ll cry foul when a president dares to suggest that maybe, just maybe, we should put American interests first. Trump’s Treasury pick is a reminder that he’s not here to play by their rules, and that makes them very uncomfortable.

But here’s the irony: tariffs aren’t just about protecting American jobs. They’re also about leverage. Trump understands that in negotiations, you need a card to play, and tariffs are a powerful one. Countries like China don’t respect hand-wringing or strongly worded letters; they respect strength. Trump’s willingness to use tariffs as a bargaining chip sent a clear message during his first term, and it’s one he seems poised to repeat.

Critics will argue that tariffs are a tax on consumers, and yes, in the short term, they can lead to higher prices. But let’s not forget the bigger picture. Tariffs are an investment in a level playing field. They force other countries to rethink their unfair practices and give American businesses a fighting chance. And let’s be honest—aren’t we tired of being the world’s doormat? Isn’t it time we stopped apologizing for wanting to win?

The choice of Treasury Secretary is more than just a personnel decision; it’s a signal of where Trump intends to take the economy in his second term. If his pick truly does indicate a focus on tariffs, it’s a message to every worker in America who’s ever watched their job disappear overseas: Trump hasn’t forgotten you. He’s still fighting for fair trade, American manufacturing, and an economy that works for the people who built this country—not just the elites who profit off its decline.

So let the critics whine about trade wars and economic uncertainty. Trump has always been willing to ruffle feathers to get results, and his Treasury pick is no exception. If that means a little more discomfort for Wall Street and a lot more opportunity for Main Street, I think most Americans will take that deal. After all, isn’t it about time someone stood up for the people who actually make this country great?