Rumors circulate on social media about the Trump administration consulting chatbots for trade policy calculations, with allegations based on similarities between chatbot outputs and the administration's proposals. Screenshots from chatbots like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok reveal warnings that their simplified calculations ignore the complexities of international trade. Though these chatbots produced similar recommendations when prompted with administration-specific phrasing, it remains unclear if actual consultations occurred or if the similarities stem from aligned training data. The speculation highlights ongoing discussions about the role of AI in policymaking.
ChatGPT acknowledged that the easy method "ignores the intricate dynamics of international trade." Gemini cautioned that it could only offer a "highly simplified conceptual approach" that ignored the "vast real-world complexities and consequences" of implementing such a trade strategy.
Claude specifically warned that "trade deficits alone don't necessarily indicate unfair trade practices, and tariffs can have complex economic consequences, including increased prices and potential retaliation." Grok cautioned that "imposing tariffs isn't exactly 'easy'", describing it as "a blunt tool: quick to swing, but the ripple effects can complicate things fast."
The Verge plugged in phrasing explicitly used by the Trump administration, prompting chatbots to provide "an easy way for the US to calculate tariffs..." and got the "same fundamental suggestion" as social media users reported.
Whether the Trump administration consulted chatbots while devising its global trade policy will likely remain a rumor. It's possible that the chatbots' training data simply aligned with the administration's approach.
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