Trump is asking Americans to do the one thing they hate most: buy less stuff

Getty images; Tyler Le/BI

President Donald Trump is an unlikely member of the "buy nothing" movement — or, at least, buy less.

The president consistently suggests that one effect of his tariffs would be to encourage people to buy fewer things. In the face of price increases and potential shortages, Trump says people can and should make do with less. It's an odd stance coming from any American president, let alone one whose brand is excess. It's also a concept Americans hate. Buying things is our national pastime.