Unemployment remains low, inflation is minimal, and economic growth has been steady for almost a decade. As a college professor who often gives letter grades, I would rate the US economy as an A- overall, but believe it could have received a higher grade if economic gains were distributed more equitably. However, it is important to remember that while Trump influences economic policy, he does not control the economy itself. To provide an unbiased evaluation, I have examined surveys of approximately 50 leading economists from both liberal and conservative backgrounds conducted by the University of Chicago. Surprisingly, these economists overwhelmingly agree that Trump's policies are harmful to the economy. Many economists are concerned about his presidency due to his protectionist trade policies, even though the economy is performing well. Trump's imposition of tariffs on goods like aluminum and steel goes against economic wisdom and has harmed the competitiveness of US manufacturers. Economists do not believe that these tariffs will benefit Americans and argue that global supply chains have made them more costly than before. The trade war between the United States and China has escalated with retaliatory tariffs on American-made goods. Trump's threat to terminate the North American Free Trade Agreement caused unnecessary uncertainty and resulted in a new deal that many believe will not significantly differ from the original. There is doubt whether Congress will approve this new deal. Criticism of Trump's protectionist tendencies is widespread, with his declaration of being "Tariff Man" on Twitter causing financial markets to plummet. Even the president's own Council of Economic Advisers has determined 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 been deemed a failure as well. The basic principle of fiscal policy is that in times of economic prosperity, the government should reduce spending so that in times of economic downturn, it can increase spending and lower taxes to support the economy. Trump's $1.5 trillion tax cut, which was meant to stimulate the economy, has been criticized as unnecessary and ineffective. Due to the unusually high budget deficit and increasing government debt in a healthy economy, fiscal policy may struggle to provide a boost during the next economic downturn. While Trump may argue that the tax cut was intended to promote long-term economic growth rather than short-term stimulus, economists predict that it will fail to achieve this goal. A survey conducted before the passage of the tax bill revealed that most experts believed it would not significantly increase gross domestic product in the long run. One dissenting expert, Darrell Duffie, believed it would boost growth but questioned the fairness of the tax plan. Daron Acemoglu, a prominent macroeconomist, raised concerns that any benefits from simplifying the tax code would be outweighed by its regressive nature. Recent data suggest that the promised investment boom from the tax cut has not materialized. Despite receiving strong support from economists, Trump's infrastructure spending plans have not progressed, despite the potential for bipartisan backing. Monetary policy is straightforward for a president: appoint competent individuals and allow the Federal Reserve to carry out its duties. President Trump has succeeded in selecting Jerome Powell as Fed chairman, who has received high marks from economists. Trump's other Fed appointments have also been conventional, resulting in a group of policymakers that Jeb Bush could have chosen. Trump has undermined his reputation in this area by interfering in ways that have unnecessarily complicated the Federal Reserve's tasks. Most developed countries, including the United States, typically keep monetary policy free from political influence to ensure policymakers can maintain low and stable inflation. However, Trump has publicly criticized Powell for not lowering interest rates and has even suggested firing him. This behavior is counterproductive as it makes it more difficult for Powell to lower rates without appearing to have caved to pressure from Trump. Trump's actions go against commonly accepted economic principles. His plan diverges significantly from the beliefs of both Democratic and Republican economists. This raises the question of why the economy is performing well despite his unorthodox approach. It is possible that this success is more due to luck than to wise decision-making. Trump was fortunate to take over an economy that had already been steadily improving since around 2010. Analysis of various economic indicators reveals that the current strength of the economy is simply a continuation of this upward trend. Even if Trump is not responsible for the current economic trajectory, he should be acknowledged for not derailing it. It is possible that the president does not have a significant impact on economic outcomes. However, there is concern that the negative effects of Trump's policies have not yet been fully realized. The uncertainty and chaos caused by his administration's policy process may have deterred some investors, although this impact is hard to quantify. Furthermore, Trump's tax cuts, which are not funded, are generating a debt that will need to be repaid by future generations. By reducing the Federal Reserve's independence, he may have hindered its ability to combat inflation effectively. Additionally, easing regulations in the financial sector may benefit large banks in the short term but could raise the risk of future financial disasters. The removal of environmental regulations may have boosted profits for certain businesses but has accelerated climate change. While limiting immigration may have decreased job competition, economists are concerned that this could ultimately stifle innovation and economic growth in the long term. It is also possible that Trump's approach is correct, and economists are mistaken. As someone who is a trained economist, I personally do not agree with this statement, but it appears that Trump also does not trust the opinions of economists. Source: New York Times News Service, 2019.