Internal government documents obtained by The Washington Post reveal that former President Donald Trump employed tariffs not only as a tool for national security objectives but also to benefit specific corporate allies, particularly U.S. defense companies. These documents indicate that Trump's administration used the tariffs strategically to secure trade deals favorable to certain businesses. Reports also highlight that Trump’s team engaged in aggressive tactics to advance these trade negotiations, including Stephen Miran’s secret trip to Europe to warn officials and Howard Lutnick’s direct pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron. This approach marked a departure from publicly stated trade policies, suggesting a more extensive and targeted use of tariffs than previously acknowledged.