Trump's Economic War Backfires: Gas Prices Soar, Beef Deal Sparks Outrage

Donald Trump's economic war on his own people is escalating, and it's not just about Iran. The US president has been using tariffs and sanctions as tools of bullying, but now he's finding that these measures are backfiring in the domestic market.

The combination of a Persian Gulf oil blockade and retaliatory trade measures against Canada is setting off an inflationary spiral, with gasoline prices expected to spike above $6 per gallon. This will be particularly painful for farmers, truckers, and autoworkers who rely on diesel fuel, which has already reached $5.60 per gallon.

Meanwhile, Trump's attempt to undercut beef prices by exempting 300,000 metric tons of imports from tariffs has been met with outrage from cattle producers and Republican lawmakers. This move is seen as a betrayal of Trump's base, who are struggling with the New World screwworm and historic lows in cattle herds.

The economic situation is dire, and Trump's handling of it is further eroding his popularity. As prices linger higher, the American consumer can no longer hold out, and retail sales have already fallen in July.