The gospel does not speak directly about tariffs or modern international trade systems. Jesus did not teach in economic jargon, nor did Paul write epistles outlining monetary policy. Yet, the ethical and spiritual foundations of Christian faith offer a rich arras through which to evaluate economic actions. Scripture, tradition, and Christian moral teaching can illuminate the character of such policies and their impact on human dignity, social harmony, and our responsibilities toward one another as global citizens created in the image of God.
The Trump administration justified tariffs as a form of economic self-defense—measures necessary to protect American jobs, industries, and national security. These included tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from allies and competitors alike, as well as sweeping duties on Chinese goods as part of a broader trade war. On the surface, this may appear prudent, even necessary. From a nationalistic standpoint, it resonates with a biblical notion of shepherding one’s own flock. After all, God did command leaders in Israel to care for their people, to protect the vulnerable, and to ensure that their communities thrived.
But the question arises: Does the pursuit of national interest justify policies that may harm other nations, deepen global inequality, or exacerbate economic instability? Here the teachings of Jesus stretch us beyond the narrow confines of tribal or national concern. The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 challenges our understanding of who constitutes our “neighbor.” In that story, Jesus dismantles ethnocentric assumptions, pointing instead to compassion across boundaries, mercy over merit, and relationship over rivalry. The Samaritan does not ask, “What will happen to me if I help this wounded man?” but rather, “What will happen to him if I do not?”
Trade tariffs—particularly when they are sweeping, unpredictable, or aimed at political leverage—can disrupt livelihoods far beyond a country’s borders. Farmers in Latin America, factory workers in Southeast Asia, and small business owners in Africa may feel the tremors of such policies, despite having no voice in their creation. When tariffs cause trade partners to retaliate, prices often rise for everyday consumers, and the poor bear the brunt of these economic shifts. As Christians, we must ask: Are these the marks of policies rooted in justice and compassion? Do they reflect the character of Christ who fed the hungry, lifted the lowly, and preached good news to the poor?
The prophets of the Old Testament speak forcefully to issues of justice and economic exploitation. In Micah 6:8, we are reminded of what the Lord requires: “To act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” The use of economic tools such as tariffs must, therefore, be measured not only by their national outcomes but also by their justice across borders. Justice in a theological sense is not merely legal fairness—it is relational integrity, equity, and the flourishing of all creation. Isaiah, Amos, and Hosea warned against systems that benefited the powerful at the expense of the marginalized, calling for a reordering of society where righteousness flows like a mighty river.
When a nation like the United States, with immense economic power, imposes tariffs, the global system often shakes. The burden is not evenly distributed. While American manufacturers may enjoy temporary relief, companies reliant on imported materials may struggle, and consumers may face inflated costs. In developing nations, economies that depend on exporting to the U.S. may suffer job losses and declining wages. Does this align with a vision of the kingdom of God, where the first shall be last and the last shall be first?
Furthermore, theological reflection invites us to consider the principle of stewardship. Economic systems are not neutral; they are shaped by human will, often reflecting deep values, fears, and aspirations. In Genesis, humanity is tasked with tending the garden—cultivating the earth in a way that sustains life and honors God. This includes not only environmental stewardship but also economic responsibility. Tariffs may sometimes serve a legitimate purpose—to correct unjust trade practices, to defend against exploitation, or to preserve a community’s economic viability. But when wielded impulsively or with disregard for the broader consequences, they may undermine the very stewardship they intend to preserve.
Another relevant biblical concept is the Jubilee Year, outlined in Leviticus 25. Every fiftieth year, land was to be returned, debts forgiven, and slaves freed—a radical economic reset designed to prevent the entrenchment of inequality. It suggests that God’s economy values restoration, balance, and communal well-being over endless accumulation or national gain. In contrast, the tariff policies under Trump’s administration often reinforced a zero-sum mentality—if one nation wins, another must lose. This logic runs contrary to the biblical vision of mutual flourishing and shared blessing.
Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers another lens through which to assess leadership and economic policy: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). He calls believers to imitate Christ, who “emptied himself,” taking on the form of a servant. Christian ethics, then, are marked by humility, solidarity, and sacrificial love. National policy cannot, of course, be expected to replicate Christ’s kenosis in full. Yet leaders who claim to operate from Christian values should demonstrate a concern not only for self-preservation but for the well-being of others—especially the poor, the foreigner, and the voiceless.
Trade wars and tariffs often ignite nationalism and economic competition, which may feed political popularity but fracture global trust. Jesus’ prayer in John 17 was that his followers would be one—an echo of the triune communion of God. While he spoke primarily of spiritual unity, the implications extend to how we live in global community. Are we building walls or bridges? Are we fostering suspicion or collaboration? Are our economic policies rooted in love or in fear?
It is also important to address the theological problem of power. Donald Trump’s approach to trade was marked by a forceful assertion of American power—what some may call “America First.” Power, in and of itself, is not evil. But Scripture repeatedly warns that power must be wielded with justice and humility. The kings of Israel were judged not by their military might or economic achievements but by their faithfulness to God and their treatment of the poor and marginalized. Jesus redefined power altogether—not as domination, but as service. “Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). The wielding of economic power through tariffs must be scrutinized through this cruciform lens.
In the realm of global economics, the theological concept of neighbor becomes increasingly complex. The parable of the Good Samaritan invites us to recognize that our neighbor is not only the one who lives next door but also the one whose life intersects with ours through unseen networks. The farmer in Vietnam who grows coffee beans, the factory worker in China assembling electronics, the truck driver in Mexico transporting goods—these are our neighbors in the global village. Tariff policies that disregard their well-being fail to recognize the interconnectedness of God’s creation and the dignity of every human being.
Some may argue that Trump’s tariffs were a necessary corrective to years of exploitative trade practices, particularly by nations like China, which have been accused of intellectual property theft, forced labor, and unfair subsidies. From a moral standpoint, these concerns are valid. The Bible calls for justice not only within nations but also between them. Holding powerful nations accountable for unjust practices is a legitimate expression of global ethical leadership. However, the manner in which accountability is pursued matters. Retaliation, escalation, and economic bullying risk replicating the very injustices they seek to redress.
Christian theology does not offer simplistic answers to complex policy questions. Yet it calls us to discernment, to prophetic critique, and to moral imagination. The kingdom of God, as Jesus described it, operates not by the logic of scarcity but by the abundance of grace. It is a realm where the hungry are fed, the stranger is welcomed, and the poor are lifted up. It challenges economic systems that perpetuate inequality and invites us to envision alternative ways of living—marked by generosity, reciprocity, and care for the least of these.
As we reflect on Donald Trump’s tariff policies through this theological lens, we are called to ask: Whose interests are being protected? Who is being harmed? Are we honoring the image of God in every person affected by these decisions? Are we building systems that reflect justice, mercy, and humility?
Tariffs may seem like tools of economics and politics alone, but they are deeply moral instruments. They shape lives, communities, and relationships. They can either reinforce global divisions or encourage cooperation. For Christians, the goal is not national supremacy but global solidarity grounded in the love of Christ.
In this season of history, when nations increasingly turn inward, when borders harden and suspicion grows, the church has a prophetic role to play. We must advocate for economic policies that reflect God’s justice and peace, that care for both local workers and global partners, and that lift up the lowly rather than exploiting the vulnerable. We must remember that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and our first allegiance is to the Lord of all nations. May we steward our political voices, economic choices, and theological convictions with courage, compassion, and clarity, remembering always that whatever we do to the least of these, we do unto Christ.
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