Weekly civic intelligence report · v2.2
Trump announced new tariffs including 25% on heavy truck imports starting October 1, and tariffs on pharmaceutical drugs and kitchen cabinets. Trump threatened 100% tariffs on drugs unless manufacturers build plants in the U.S. These tariffs will increase consumer costs and affect multiple industries.
A-score (15.05): Tariff policy represents executive authority use with constitutional implications. Rule_of_law (2) reflects unilateral trade policy changes affecting international agreements. Separation (2) shows executive action without clear congressional authorization for specific industry targeting. Capture (3) is significant - threatening 100% tariffs unless manufacturers build US plants represents direct economic coercion favoring specific outcomes. Corruption (1) for potential favoritism in implementation. Mechanism modifier 1.15 for policy_change with enforcement mechanisms. Scope 1.2 for federal/broad impact. However, tariffs are within executive trade authority, limiting constitutional damage. B-score (32.44): Layer1 (11/20): High media_friendliness (4) - consumer cost increases, multiple industries affected. Moderate outrage_bait (3) and novelty (2). Layer2 (12/20): Strong pattern_match (4) - classic Trump tariff playbook. Timing (3) and narrative_pivot (3) suggest strategic announcement. Mismatch (2) between threatened severity and actual constitutional impact. Intentionality 8/15 - announcement style, threat escalation, multi-industry targeting suggests strategic distraction. D-score: -17.39. Clear List B: high hype/distraction around standard executive trade policy.
Monitor: (1) Actual tariff implementation vs threats, (2) Congressional response to executive trade authority use, (3) Industry-specific exemptions suggesting capture, (4) Whether this distracts from other concurrent actions.