Astrology of Tariffs: Neptune in Aries & Mars in Motion

Yes, I know businesses might be saying “We can handle this”—but can they really?

I’m watching the unfolding tariff drama from a business economics lens (I did teach it after all), and it’s raising some serious questions. These are not just light import taxes being tossed around… we're talking 20+ new tariffs being announced.

That’s bold.

That’s chaotic. That’s Neptune in Aries energy in full swing. Mars in action. Reshaping the global environment with a sledgehammer and expecting it to sing.

This move is all about generating demand in the US markets—essentially saying: Buy American. Buy local. It sounds great in theory, but we live in a deeply globalised world. Can the internal supply chains in the US truly respond fast enough? Can they provide the materials, goods, and labour at a cost that competes with imports—especially when domestic labour costs are so high?

We’ve outsourced so much. We’ve relied on China, on global supply chains, on the comparative advantage of low-cost countries. Now, everything shifts. And we’re not just talking about car parts or raw metals. It’s food, manufacturing, tech, the whole supply web. Prices will rise—especially for imports. Food costs will go up. The cost of living will rise. It’s inflationary. It’s unpredictable.

Chaos or Opportunity? Maybe Both.

There is potential here—let’s not ignore that. US-based businesses who are ready, who can supply quickly, stand to benefit. Jobs may increase at home. But it will take at least 6 months, possibly more, for the internal market to adjust and be ready. And that’s assuming no further shocks along the way.

This whole situation reminds me of the Liz Truss budget—on paper, it looked like stimulation, growth, bold leadership. In practice? The UK economy tanked. Pensions wobbled. Bonds went into freefall. Could this US tariff gamble do exactly the opposite of what’s intended? It’s a real possibility.

What About the UK?

For us in the UK, the impact depends. Everything we export to the US will effectively cost 10% more due to these tariffs. That means we could lose our competitive edge in certain sectors. Then again, we already have tariffs in place with the US, so maybe we’re semi-shielded. In some ways, we may even be better positioned than Europe, who are facing higher tariff rates. That slight edge might give us a window, but it's slim.

And let’s be honest—haven’t we been here before? Brexit taught us how hard it is to renegotiate trade in a protectionist environment. We’ve had to hustle for deals, juggle new customs systems, and keep our businesses afloat while learning the new rules of global trade. The US might now face a similar labyrinth, but at a much bigger scale.

China, Europe & the Shifting Landscape

China isn’t going to sit quietly while its exports get hit. Neither will the EU. Retaliatory tariffs could escalate, and we could enter a trade war cycle. That means global markets become even more volatile, and international collaboration more fractured.

For the US, the big question is: Can domestic industries produce goods to match foreign alternatives in both quality and price? It’s one thing to slap a tariff on a Mercedes. It’s another to convince consumers that a Chevy is just as good—or better. And what about tech? Cars? Electronics? Agriculture?

Let’s not forget: labour costs are high in the US, and without subsidies or rapid innovation, it's hard to see how those costs won’t be passed onto consumers. So are we really supporting the average American family, or simply creating a new kind of inflationary pressure?

The Bigger Picture – Global Change & Mars in Motion

It feels like the old systems of globalisation are unravelling—not in one sudden collapse, but through bold, dramatic shifts like this. We’re seeing Mars in motion. A drive to protect, assert, dominate. But Neptune in Aries adds a fog. The dream of economic sovereignty may clash with the reality of chaotic implementation.

Will this generate innovation, creativity, new internal growth? Possibly. Will it stir up resistance, disruption, and uncertainty? Almost definitely.

We are watching a recalibration of global trade, of competitive advantage, and of national identity in business. Will it be magical rebirth or economic mayhem? Perhaps a bit of both. These bold moves might stir up a different kind of nationalism: not just about identity, but about where your goods come from and who made them.

So Many Questions…

• Can the internal US supply chain match demand?

• Will this move create jobs or simply raise prices?

• What does this mean for UK exporters?

• Can the US truly compete with China and Europe on cost and quality?

• Are we entering a new age of protectionism?

This is a huge gamble, and it’s going to shake things up.

In fact, this whole situation would make an excellent A Level Economics essay question:

"Analyse the effects of tariffs on a global economy. Consider both the advantages and disadvantages for domestic and international markets."

Perfect for exploring supply and demand, inflation, comparative advantage, protectionism, international competitiveness, and even currency fluctuations.

The financial market is a serious consideration too, we only have to look at too much change at once and financial crashes in the past.

A Level Economics Essay Question might be:

"Evaluate the impact of protectionist policies such as tariffs on financial markets, including currency exchange rates, stock markets, and international investment flows."

Plus, it’s real-time economics—alive, unfolding, and full of contradictions.

Europe’s protectionist policies have long supported internal market growth by shielding key industries and promoting regional self-sufficiency, which has sometimes limited US export access—these new US tariffs aim to rebalance that dynamic by boosting domestic production and reducing reliance on foreign imports, particularly from Europe and China.

It’s absolutely fascinating to watch unfold—and the sheer balls of Trump to try this on such a massive scale is something else entirely.

We need to keep our eyes open, stay curious, and hold both the economic lens and the energetic one.

As always, chaos can birth opportunity… but only if we’re ready to meet it.

"These tariffs are high-stakes economic alchemy—designed to forge a new domestic economy but at the cost of stirring deep volatility in the global system. The short term may look like protection and patriotism, but the medium to long term demands real structural transformation—or it risks backfiring like the UK’s post-Brexit struggles.

And again… the absolute balls of Trump to attempt this scale of intervention—during a fragile global recovery, no less—is wildly bold."