Unemployment is at a low rate, inflation is minimal, and economic growth has been consistent for almost a decade. As a college professor, I often evaluate things with letter grades, and I would give the US economy an A- if economic gains were more evenly distributed. However, Trump is in control of economic policy, not the economy itself, so a fair assessment should also consider his specific policies. To provide an unbiased evaluation, I have looked at surveys conducted by the University of Chicago with about 50 top economists from various political backgrounds. Surprisingly, these economists overwhelmingly agree that Trump's policies are harmful. Many economists are concerned about his presidency despite the strong economy due to his protectionist trade policies, which go against economic principles and have harmed US manufacturers. The tariffs imposed by Trump on products like aluminium and steel have not been supported by economists, who believe they are costly and do not benefit Americans. The United States' trade war with China has further escalated tensions and increased tariffs on American-made goods. Trump's threat to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement has caused unnecessary uncertainty, leading to a new deal that economists believe will not bring significant change. There is doubt whether Congress will approve this substitute agreement. Trump's protectionist actions have faced criticism, causing financial markets to decline when he declared himself as "Tariff Man" on Twitter. The president's own Council of Economic Advisers has found that his tariffs will hinder economic growth. Even according to Trump's own preferred measure, the trade balance, his policy has been unsuccessful as the trade deficit has reached its highest level in 10 years. In terms of fiscal policy, Trump's approach has not been effective as well. The concept is simple - in times of economic prosperity, the government should reduce spending so that in times of recession, it can increase spending and lower taxes to stimulate the economy. However, Trump's $1.5 trillion tax cut, his main accomplishment, provided a stimulus when it was not necessary, making his fiscal policy a significant failure. The budget deficit is unusually high for a healthy economy, and increasing government debt will hinder fiscal policy from providing a boost during the next economic downturn. Trump may argue that the tax cut was not meant to stimulate the economy in the short-term, but rather to encourage long-term economic growth. However, economists predict that it will not achieve that goal either. Prior to the passing of the bill, nearly all experts believed that the tax cut would not significantly increase gross domestic product in ten years. Darrell Duffie was the only dissenter, stating that it would boost growth, but questioned the fairness of the tax plan. Daron Acemoglu, a prominent macroeconomist, believes that while simplifying the tax code could be advantageous, any benefits would likely be outweighed by its regressive nature. Recent data suggests that the promised investment boom from the tax cut has not materialized. Despite bipartisan support, Trump's infrastructure spending proposal has not progressed. Monetary policy should be straightforward for a president: appoint competent individuals and allow the Federal Reserve to carry out its duties. President Trump has made a good choice in Jerome Powell as Fed chairman, as shown by positive ratings from economists. Trump's other Fed appointments have been conventional, resulting in a group of policymakers that Jeb Bush might have selected if he had been elected president. Trump has negatively impacted his grade in this area by interfering in ways that have unnecessarily complicated the Federal Reserve's job. Most developed countries, including the United States, typically keep monetary policy separate from political influence to ensure stable inflation rates. However, Trump has criticized Fed Chair Powell for not lowering interest rates and even mentioned the possibility of firing him. This behavior undermines Powell's ability to set rates without looking like he gave in to Trump's pressure. Trump's actions are counterproductive and make it difficult for Powell to do his job effectively. His program completely rejects the traditional beliefs of both Democratic and Republican economists. Despite this, the economy is thriving. It is possible that this success is due to luck rather than good decision-making. Trump was fortunate to inherit an economy that had been steadily improving since around 2010. Any economic indicator will show that today's economic prosperity is simply a continuation of this existing trend. Even if Trump is not responsible for the current positive economic trajectory, he should be acknowledged for not derailing it. It is possible that the president has minimal impact on economic outcomes. Alternatively, the negative effects of Trump's policies may not have fully manifested yet. The chaotic policy process of his administration has caused uncertainty and may have driven away some investors. The consequences of Trump's tax cuts, which are not funded, will result in a debt that future generations will need to address. By challenging the Fed's independence, he may have weakened its ability to combat inflation. Additionally, easing regulations in the financial industry may benefit large banks in the short term but could heighten the risk of future economic crises. Removing environmental regulations may have boosted profits for certain businesses but has also accelerated climate change. Although restricting immigration may have lessened job competition, economists are concerned that it could ultimately stifle innovation and economic growth. It is also possible that Trump's approach is correct, and economists have misjudged the situation. As an economist with credentials, I do not believe this, but it appears that Trump also does not believe the statements made by economists. (c.2019 New York Times News Service)