It doesn’t require a graduate degree in economics to recognize that something is seriously amiss in President Donald Trump’s embrace of protectionism. Whatever one may think of President Trump’s stated goal of boosting domestic manufacturing, as welcome as that would be, it is difficult to see how the sudden imposition of crippling tariffs on global trade partners and all the economic uncertainty associated with them somehow will accomplish that long-term goal. The reaction in U.S. markets — a sharp drop in stock prices not unlike the initial plunge on Six Flags America’s floorless Firebird rollercoaster — sent a pretty clear message on where this wild ride is headed.

Anyone seeing a rush of foreign companies moving production to the United States in reaction to the tariffs? Are you kidding? Why would they? The chain reaction from overseas after Wednesday’s “Liberation Day” announcement has only gotten started. U.S. exports will be similarly punished through reciprocal tariffs. Prices will rise. Consumer confidence will fall. Economic hardships lie ahead.

Now, it’s entirely possible that Trump may reverse course quickly. Or even gradually, perhaps by allowing exemptions to favored companies, industries or foreign leaders. But uncertainty has never been a good environment for fostering major investment or trade either. Why would any company make a multibillion-dollar or even multimillion-dollar commitment today when the whim of the U.S. president could change tomorrow? And this isn’t just about corporations based overseas; domestic companies are likely to be cautious as well.

Republicans have long claimed to be the party of capitalism, economic growth and free trade. Why aren’t more of them standing up for these principles now? The White House is only too happy to circulate fawning approvals from prominent members of the GOP to suggest everyone is in “America First” lockstep. Among the quoted is none other than Maryland’s own U.S. Rep. Andy Harris: “President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs will put the American worker first and bring fairness back to international trade. America is being respected again.” The congressman’s tune may yet change as farmers, and the 1st District poultry industry specifically, are socked by foreign tariffs.

Still, you don’t have to work for Perdue Farms or have a contract to grow broilers to feel the pain. Unless Trump reverses course quickly, higher prices lie ahead for practically everyone everywhere. For a candidate who promised that lowering consumer prices would be a first-day-in-office priority, this isn’t likely to be met with enthusiasm by voters.

Whatever one may think of this week’s stock market drop — and the growth of 401(k) and similar tax-advantaged retirement plans have made stock investment far more prevalent among middle-class Americans — the expected rise in consumer prices in the days and weeks ahead is likely to be felt more keenly. Remember when people fretted about the price of eggs and gasoline? We may soon be longing for those simpler times.

History shows that tariffs don’t produce prosperity. And what’s going to make this move all the more upsetting to average Americans is that it’s clear Trump wants to use the revenues produced by tariffs to help “pay” for tax cuts that will chiefly benefit the wealthy. Democrats are about to have their moment: Republicans are seeking to transfer wealth from consumers to protected businesses and the ultra-rich. Think last Tuesday’s election results in Wisconsin and Florida showed a softening of the GOP brand? Wait until the mid-terms in 2026 if the Trump tariffs remain in place.

The list of potential calamities tied to this ill-considered policy change is long. The U.S. global leadership role is likely to be neutered by this trade war antagonism, raising the risk of military conflict and creating new opportunities for China. American exporters are certain to get hit with retaliatory tariffs so companies that are currently flourishing may wither through no fault of their own. And the Washington influence sphere, the “swamp” that Trump so decried, may be ascendant as deciding how to rejigger tariffs, up, down or sideways and insider lobbying to accomplish just that becomes a true growth industry inside the Capitol Beltway.

Is this what Trump supporters sought when they pulled the lever last November? Surely not. Does that matter? Only one person knows the answer to that.