Trump And The Return To The American System

[KingDJT]

 

[Belegon]

Trump and Our Return to the ‘American System’​

Tim Overton | April 06, 2025

Few economic philosophies have shaped America’s prosperity as profoundly as Henry Clay’s American System—a blueprint for national strength and self-sufficiency. Developed in the early 19th century, Clay’s vision centered on protective tariffs, a strong national banking system, infrastructure development, and the responsible use of natural resources.

These pillars propelled the United States into economic dominance. However, in the latter half of the 20th century, Cold War geopolitics led to a significant departure from these principles. Today, President Donald Trump’s economic policies signal a revival of the American System, aiming to restore national industry, energy independence, and economic resilience.

One of the key components of Clay’s American System was the use of tariffs to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. Clay and his contemporaries understood that fledgling American manufacturers needed time to grow without being undermined by cheaper imports. This approach helped transform the U.S. from an agrarian economy into an industrial powerhouse.

Trump’s embrace of tariffs is a modern adaptation of this strategy, aimed at protecting American businesses from unfair foreign trade practices. His policies seek to revitalize domestic manufacturing, reduce dependency on foreign goods, and address trade imbalances, particularly with China. Additionally, tariff revenue contributes to lowering the national debt, reinforcing economic sovereignty.

More here: https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/04/06/trump-our-return-american-system/

This is the plan.

That would all be fine if we were still in the early 1800's. But we aren't and the Clay System wasn't built with a global economy in mind. This is kind of like saying that you've invented a better suspension for horse-drawn wagons. That's great but completely irrelevant in today's world. Protecting domestic manufacturing isn't a bad idea, but American costs and wages will still result in massive cost increases for the goods and services provided. America is no longer in position to be a manufacturing economy. We are a service economy now. Our economy rests not on physical goods, but on our knowledge and innovation. We have been moving away from being a manufacturing economy for decades. American workers will not work for the wages that would be needed to offset the tariffs... and even if they would, it would result in a massive reduction in our standard of living. The manufacturing economies that exist right now... do you want to live the way those people do? Me neither.

 

[ll74]

 

[Rightguide]

The key word there is "fledgling."

Are you saying your manufacturers are, in the 21st century, so weak and immature they need coddling NOW?!

No. They need to be enticed into returning to America to produce their products.

 

[Rightguide]

That would all be fine if we were still in the early 1800's. But we aren't and the Clay System wasn't built with a global economy in mind. This is kind of like saying that you've invented a better suspension for horse-drawn wagons. That's great but completely irrelevant in today's world. Protecting domestic manufacturing isn't a bad idea, but American costs and wages will still result in massive cost increases for the goods and services provided. America is no longer in position to be a manufacturing economy. We are a service economy now. Our economy rests not on physical goods, but on our knowledge and innovation. We have been moving away from being a manufacturing economy for decades. American workers will not work for the wages that would be needed to offset the tariffs... and even if they would, it would result in a massive reduction in our standard of living. The manufacturing economies that exist right now... do you want to live the way those people do? Me neither.

You have no economic vision or awareness to understand what is happening. The World Trade Order is being reordered and there is nothing China can do about it.

 

[Hel_Books]

Hel_Books said:
The key word there is "fledgling."

Are you saying your manufacturers are, in the 21st century, so weak and immature they need coddling NOW?!

No. They need to be enticed into returning to America to produce their products.

Perhaps better housing (why can't people afford decent homes or rentals near where they work?) better educated workers (why is the USA down with the third world in rankings of schooling?) better healthcare (why are so many Americans bankrupted by medical bills?) better infrastructure (why all the potholes, no bullet trains and airport hassles?) better energy supply (why would Texas, of all places, have blackouts?) before resorting to tariffs to "entice" companies by punishing importers.

Besides, factories take a long time to build. The importers won't build domestically (unless you do all the other things suggested above) in the next four years. They'll just past on the extra costs of the tariffs, because they suspect they won't remain in effect very long. Just look at President Trump's flip-flop on consumer electronics tariffs!

 

[HisArpy]

Perhaps better housing (why can't people afford decent homes or rentals near where they work?) better educated workers (why is the USA down with the third world in rankings of schooling?) better healthcare (why are so many Americans bankrupted by medical bills?) better infrastructure (why all the potholes, no bullet trains and airport hassles?) better energy supply (why would Texas, of all places, have blackouts?) before resorting to tariffs to "entice" companies by punishing importers.

Besides, factories take a long time to build. The importers won't build domestically (unless you do all the other things suggested above) in the next four years. They'll just past on the extra costs of the tariffs, because they suspect they won't remain in effect very long. Just look at President Trump's flip-flop on consumer electronics tariffs!

Have you ever seen the "housing" that "workers" get when the government is in control of it?

I didn't think so.

 

[Hel_Books]

Hel_Books said:
Perhaps better housing (why can't people afford decent homes or rentals near where they work?) better educated workers (why is the USA down with the third world in rankings of schooling?) better healthcare (why are so many Americans bankrupted by medical bills?) better infrastructure (why all the potholes, no bullet trains and airport hassles?) better energy supply (why would Texas, of all places, have blackouts?) before resorting to tariffs to "entice" companies by punishing importers.

Besides, factories take a long time to build. The importers won't build domestically (unless you do all the other things suggested above) in the next four years. They'll just past on the extra costs of the tariffs, because they suspect they won't remain in effect very long. Just look at President Trump's flip-flop on consumer electronics tariffs!

Have you ever seen the "housing" that "workers" get when the government is in control of it?

I didn't think so.

I've seen it. It's bad because government policy (rent control, misguided zoning, etc.) stifles private building, so government have to do the building. That has to change, and not just in the USA, but everywhere!

It's an interesting contrast that places in the USA with low rates of homelessness are poor! The state of Mississippi, for example. They have lax zoning regulations (and lax everything else, explaining why they're poor), allowing more construction and less NIMBYism.

Of course, the lack of city planning has negative consequences too. Houston, for example, has a serious problem with flooding because they poured concrete everywhere without making allowances for proper draining.

In any case, investing in good building regulation for cities will do more for your economy than hare-brained tariff schemes.

 

[Politruk]

Trump and Our Return to the ‘American System’​

Tim Overton | April 06, 2025

Few economic philosophies have shaped America’s prosperity as profoundly as Henry Clay’s American System—a blueprint for national strength and self-sufficiency. Developed in the early 19th century, Clay’s vision centered on protective tariffs, a strong national banking system, infrastructure development, and the responsible use of natural resources.

These pillars propelled the United States into economic dominance. However, in the latter half of the 20th century, Cold War geopolitics led to a significant departure from these principles. Today, President Donald Trump’s economic policies signal a revival of the American System, aiming to restore national industry, energy independence, and economic resilience.

One of the key components of Clay’s American System was the use of tariffs to shield domestic industries from foreign competition. Clay and his contemporaries understood that fledgling American manufacturers needed time to grow without being undermined by cheaper imports. This approach helped transform the U.S. from an agrarian economy into an industrial powerhouse.

Trump’s embrace of tariffs is a modern adaptation of this strategy, aimed at protecting American businesses from unfair foreign trade practices. His policies seek to revitalize domestic manufacturing, reduce dependency on foreign goods, and address trade imbalances, particularly with China. Additionally, tariff revenue contributes to lowering the national debt, reinforcing economic sovereignty.

More here: https://www.dailysignal.com/2025/04/06/trump-our-return-american-system/

This is the plan.

In the American System, the purpose of tariffs was to protect America's infant industrial sector from competition from Britain and Germany, where the Industrial Revolution had started earlier and was further along.

That made sense at the time -- but it has not, at any time since the U.S. became fully industrialized.

The American System also included a central national bank. You won't hear that from the "End the Fed!" crowd.

And massive spending on internal improvements. Remember Trump's "Infrastructure Week," when no actual money got spent?

 

[Politruk]

Have you ever seen the "housing" that "workers" get when the government is in control of it?

I didn't think so.

Government doesn't build housing for workers, it builds housing for the poor -- and the results are usually better than housing they could get any other way.

 

[HisArpy]

It's an interesting contrast that places in the USA with low rates of homelessness are poor!

Which is why they have almost no homeless problem, no services for them to freeload off of.

There's a lesson in there. One which you and others will refuse to accept even though your doing so will not change anything or give the homeless more services in poor states.

 

[Politruk]

You have no economic vision or awareness to understand what is happening. The World Trade Order is being reordered and there is nothing China can do about it.

Trump does not have the vision or awareness to reorder the World Trade Order, at least not intentionally.

 

[Politruk]

Which is why they have almost no homeless problem, no services for them to freeload off of.

There's a lesson in there. One which you and others will refuse to accept even though your doing so will not change anything or give the homeless more services in poor states.

You think "freeload" services promote homelessness?

You really are an idiot!

 

[Fuzzy1975]

Trump does not have the vision or awareness to reorder the World Trade Order, at least not intentionally.

Trump can't even cheat at golf without getting caught, no way he has the smarts for trade....

 

[Politruk]

Trump can't even cheat at golf without getting caught, no way he has the smarts for trade....

Doesn't stop him from winning, does it? Well, from "winning".

 

[Fuzzy1975]

Doesn't stop him from winning, does it? Well, from "winning".

Trump doesn't "win",he just declares "victory" and walks away.

 

[Politruk]

Trump doesn't "win",he just declares "victory" and walks away.

Or plays in his own tournament at his own resort where nobody present would dare beat him.

 

[RobDownSouth]

Orange Julius Caesar™'s annual physical results announced yesterday were nothing short of unbelievable.

He's got borderline hypertension with a blood pressure of 128/74 and a resting pulse of 62.

Unpossible.
He does have polyps in his colon as well as diverticulitis, so there might be something in Wat Tyler's daily "ass cancer prayers" after all.

Also his height remains 6'3 and weight is 224...coincidentally the exact same height and weight as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes!

At 6'3" he is taller than both Elon Musk and JD Vance, who are both 6'2".
https://i.imgur.com/H33vrG8.png

 

[Politruk]

At 6'3" he is taller than both Elon Musk and JD Vance, who are both 6'2".

How can he be that tall and have such a Napoleon complex?

 

[RobDownSouth]

How can he be that tall and have such a Napoleon complex?

One of the great unexplained mysteries of our time!

*Robnod*

 

[Politruk]

And massive spending on internal improvements. Remember Trump's "Infrastructure Week," when no actual money got spent?

It would be a fine thing if Trump returned to that aspect of the American System.

 

[Hel_Books]

Hel_Books said:
It's an interesting contrast that places in the USA with low rates of homelessness are poor!

Which is why they have almost no homeless problem, no services for them to freeload off of.

There's a lesson in there. One which you and others will refuse to accept even though your doing so will not change anything or give the homeless more services in poor states.

I was pointing out that in the states where services are poor, the places like Texas where they have power blackouts and measles epidemics, places where women die from restrictions on abortion, places where polluters go unpunished, the government's feeble regulation of building allows builders to build more housing.

The lack of proper regulation and planning does have its downside, though. For example, Houston is experiencing worse and worse flooding every year because they pave over more and more land without considering the need for proper storm water drainage.

There must be some middle ground, where building isn't hampered but also building is done safely. So many places everywhere in the world have yet to find that middle ground.

 

[HisArpy]

I was pointing out that in the states where services are poor, the places like Texas where they have power blackouts and measles epidemics, places where women die from restrictions on abortion, places where polluters go unpunished, the government's feeble regulation of building allows builders to build more housing.

The lack of proper regulation and planning does have its downside, though. For example, Houston is experiencing worse and worse flooding every year because they pave over more and more land without considering the need for proper storm water drainage.

There must be some middle ground, where building isn't hampered but also building is done safely. So many places everywhere in the world have yet to find that middle ground.

This is because the world isn't ordered according to the needs of mankind. The world is what it is and man has to adapt or die. We adapted.

Only now what you want is for us to engage in terraforming while simultaneously crying over "climate change."

Which is a simpleton's view of a very complicated subject.

 

[Hel_Books]

Hel_Books said:
I was pointing out that in the states where services are poor, the places like Texas where they have power blackouts and measles epidemics, places where women die from restrictions on abortion, places where polluters go unpunished, the government's feeble regulation of building allows builders to build more housing.

The lack of proper regulation and planning does have its downside, though. For example, Houston is experiencing worse and worse flooding every year because they pave over more and more land without considering the need for proper storm water drainage.

There must be some middle ground, where building isn't hampered but also building is done safely. So many places everywhere in the world have yet to find that middle ground.

This is because the world isn't ordered according to the needs of mankind. The world is what it is and man has to adapt or die. We adapted.

Only now what you want is for us to engage in terraforming while simultaneously crying over "climate change."

Which is a simpleton's view of a very complicated subject.

Not sure if you're even disagreeing with what I've said. People should build dwellings adapted to the land. That's hardly "terraforming"!

As for climate change: suppose, hypothetically, that the crackpot science-deniers were right and the planet hasn't warmed up, but we still reduce air pollution and switch to clean energy, would that be such a bad thing?

 

[HisArpy]

Not sure if you're even disagreeing with what I've said. People should build dwellings adapted to the land. That's hardly "terraforming"!

As for climate change: suppose, hypothetically, that the crackpot science-deniers were right and the planet hasn't warmed up, but we still reduce air pollution and switch to clean energy, would that be such a bad thing?

Yet you want Texas to do something about the flooding in Houston. Which has been happening since the North American Continent came into existence.

What about NOLA? Should they dam the river completely to prevent seasonal flooding from the Mississippi? Remember the city is built on the floodplain so the area needs that seasonal flooding for the plants and animals. And then let's talk about how your plan is going to allow transshipment of goods up the river into the interior of the US without increasing pollution levels.

And what about the Ganges in India? Same problem. Should India dam the river to prevent flooding at the expense of the planet? With the same pollution problem AND a bad effect on the religious ceremonies/bathing performed in the river.

Would either of those things cause more damage to the climate and society or be beneficial?