Barry Robbins describes himself as writing quirky books with imagination and creativity, and he is certainly right. His latest is right up to date, since the subject is tariffs. In Tariffs Schmariff, he covers every country from China to Germany and even Bhutan with their leaders’ response to the tariffs leveled on their imports to the United States. The comments are hilarious as one by one the reactions vary from sending gift baskets to discovering creative ways to avoid problems with their exports. Each country is puzzled by the reasons for the tariffs, which become more and more ludicrous. To add to their amazement, the tariffs imposed will be paid by the Americans themselves, raising prices within the United States, and not by the exporting country. The chaos in the customs departments across the States is hilarious as officials seek to find ways of calculating the taxes on goods containing parts from different sources with different tariff amounts. To add to their misery, they have neither the budget nor access to calculators, all made in China, and still held in bondage until a tariff price is determined. A brilliantly wicked take on current affairs, as no one is spared under the pen of this talented author.

Tariff Schmariff by Barry Robbins had me laughing out loud on every page. His ability to highlight the world of tariffs takes it a step further into the realms of fantasy. I loved how he crafted the responses from different countries, each so realistic. The ASEAN community and the Europeans respond accurately according to their culture. I particularly liked Bhutan’s replies when they are tariffed for their high level of happiness, which is unfair to the USA. I recommend this book; it opens the door a little on the current and uncertain world we live in, and gives the reader a peek into a world of humour and happiness. I highly recommend it as a tonic from a writer whose unique take on life is a joy.

Tariff Schmariff by Barry Robbins is a hilariously imaginative and satirical take on the global ripple effects of the ongoing tariff wars sparked by President Donald Trump. The book is presented as a fictional compilation of memos, press conferences, and international reactions. It reimagines how over 30 countries, from economic powerhouses to lesser-known nations like Moldova, respond when Trump imposes bizarre and arbitrary tariffs on their exports. For example, Germany was ordered to make its cars "break down more American-ly," France retaliated with weaponized snobbery, and Italy launched a culinary counterstrike led by furious nonnas. Each chapter is a standalone skit in a world thrown into economic absurdity, where digital cat video creators eventually emerge as the only untouchable winners. The book concludes not with a resolution but with a sense of global exhaustion as countries resort to sarcasm, irony, and satire as their only responses to irrational trade policies.

Barry Robbins builds a world that reflects our own while pushing every diplomatic and cultural pressure point to the brink of absurdity. The world-building is rich for a comedy piece, as Robbins layers it with real trade dynamics, national quirks, and global power structures beneath the humor. He captures the tone of global dysfunction perfectly, and his portrayal of Trump is spot-on: meandering, egocentric, and unintentionally revealing. The humor is sharp but not mean-spirited, and while some chapters resonate more than others, particularly those in Germany, France, and Finland, the overall pace remains energetic. The satire occasionally risks overstaying its welcome due to its repetition, but Robbins wisely concludes the book before that risk turns into fatigue. The book also offers subtle commentary on the media's role and the politics of branding. It illustrates how appearances and catchy sound bites often overshadow important policies. For example, the chapter on the UK critiques the worship of monarchy and PR-driven diplomacy. Robbins cleverly includes smaller nations like Moldova and Madagascar, not just for laughs, but to illustrate how the Global South is often overlooked, misunderstood, or reduced to caricature by Western economic systems. In today's climate of ongoing tariff tensions, Tariff Schmariff feels less like a parody and more like a prediction. This book is for readers who enjoy dark humor, political absurdity, and a satirical take on real-world trade wars. It is a smart, funny, and timely look at the economy, making it a compelling read that is almost too close to reality.