At first glance, determining President Trump’s endgame on tariffs seems impossible, especially in light of recent court cases and his ever changing threats. However, one number keeps being repeated — a 10 percent global tariff — and this indeed may be his final landing place. But such an outcome will neither spare Americans from inflation nor inspire the return of manufacturing to within our borders.

On Apr. 2, Trump announced its imposition while reserving higher rates for countries whose tariffs were deemed “nonreciprocal or discriminatory.” However, he backed off shortly thereafter, suspending most higher tariffs for 90 days in response to turbulence in international bond markets while maintaining the 10 percent tariff worldwide.

What happens when this 90 day suspension expires on July 8 is anyone’s guess, but Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on May 2 affirmed that 10 percent should be considered the “baseline” for all future deals. And the 10 percent rate has figured in two........

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