Following is Perplexity’s response to the question:

“What would be Milton Friedman’s view on Trump’s tariffs?”

Milton Friedman, a staunch advocate of free trade, would likely oppose President Trump’s tariffs. Friedman consistently argued against protectionism, emphasizing that tariffs harm both the imposing country and its trading partners. He believed unilateral free trade benefits a nation regardless of whether others reciprocate, as tariffs raise consumer prices and create inefficiencies in the economy.

Friedman also criticized retaliatory tariffs, likening them to mutual harm—akin to “shooting holes in the bottom of a boat”—and warned that protectionist policies often benefit special interest groups at the expense of broader economic welfare. While some argue that national security concerns might justify targeted tariffs, Friedman maintained that economic freedom and global trade are crucial for prosperity.