Nikki Haley, former United States Ambassador to the United Nations, has maintained an incredibly significant role during the Trump administration. Her influence and insights regarding trade and tariff views shed light on the dynamics within the Trump administration. 

One important part of Donald Trump’s trade strategy has been his devotion to the protection and empowerment of American industries. Nikki Haley, known for her pragmatic approach, supported Donald Trump’s stance and emphasized on the need to save domestic jobs and industries. Occasionally expressing concern around the repercussions of trade tension, she emphasized the importance of diplomatic relations with key allies. This nuanced approach set her apart from other members of the administration and helped these protectionist perspectives work. 

Donald Trump’s use of tariffs as a negotiation tool in international trade relations was and still is a hallmark of his presidency. Nikki Haley, despite understanding the other more intricate balance required in international affairs has, in the past, agreed with the strategic value of tariffs in negotiations, often framing them as means to encourage other nations to take the chance to renegotiate trade deals deemed unfavorable to the United States. In the past, she has often emphasized the need for these fair and reciprocal agreements. Her advocacy for American interests, despite that, were evident as she aligned with the Trump Administration’s “America First” policy. 

However, as of very recently, Haley has called out Trump on his proposed tariffs ahead of her Wall Street fundraisers. “This is a man who now wants to go and put 10% tariffs across the board, raising taxes on every single American,” she said on CNBC’s Squawk Box recently. What Donald Trump’s about to do, is he’s going to raise every household’s expenses by $2,600 a year. Middle class families can’t afford that.” 

A few of our very own Union Students got the chance to assist with Nikki Haley’s presidential run in December during a winter mini-term and see the hidden complexities of her campaign. “To see a woman competing against all these men is inspiring to me,” said Shriya Biswas ’26, A Political Science and Neuroscience major at Union who was a part of this mini term. “Getting to experience all of it at such a close level has been great.”