“Do they really think that Trump doesn’t understand economics?”
From the comments I’ve heard from Trump so far, it is clear that he does NOT understand economics, from a nation state perspective. If Trump were to enact the type of policies he is espousing, get ready to pay a LOT more for certain types of products. Playing with protectionist tariffs is tricky business.
Trump is well aware and has discussed in recent interviews that the corporate income tax is too high in this country and has to come way down. That will help level the playing in the US.
Everybody with an 8th grade education in the country realizes that China manipulates its currency beyond belief and we never do anything about it. Trump has repeatedly stated over the years that he will never have to actually put a tariff in place. Just the threat of it will make them straighten up. I believe he is probably right about that.
Trump is also right that everyone of our trade deals need to be re-negotiated as they are way too skewed toward the trading partner/partners if you can even call them that. More like trading leeches. That’s not free trade that’s stupid trade.