I don’t think it’s a distraction, Trump’s been talking about tariffs since he took office. And besides it seems clear he doesn’t give two shits about what people say.

Trump and co have 2 years (until the midterms) to bankrupt the US, let Bezos, Musk and Thiel buy whatever is left that can turn a profit (energy, utilities, etc.) and put loyalists in charge of the election in key states.

See USSR in the 90s.