I'm curious...

[WoundedKnee]

Who here thinks that tariffs are a good idea?

 

[Amoebah]

https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/the-tea-act1-page.jpg

 

[Rightguide]

Who here thinks that tariffs are a good idea?

The tariffs allow the production side of the equation in the US to benefit by re-opening plants that produce products at prices higher than the existing market can bear and force the consumer side of the equation to pay more for products produced from the protected commodities. In other words those on the production side of the equation are few, those on the consumer side are the many who will be punished by higher prices that benefit the protected economic activity of the few. In short tariffs subsidize industries that cannot otherwise compete, but at a cost few like to talk about.

 

[Taint_mAnn]

Thanks, Trump.

 

[BobBalouski]

Been there from the very beginning...

Tariffs in United States history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariffs_in_United_States_history

 

[Colonel Hogan]

The tariffs allow the production side of the equation in the US to benefit by re-opening plants that produce products at prices higher than the existing market can bear and force the consumer side of the equation to pay more for products produced from the protected commodities. In other words those on the production side of the equation are few, those on the consumer side are the many who will be punished by higher prices that benefit the protected economic activity of the few. In short tariffs subsidize industries that cannot otherwise compete, but at a cost few like to talk about.

By that standard, there are few industries at which America could be competitive given the comparative slave wages of various developing "shit hole countries" or those artificially constrained by socialist governments.

Like most other harsh realities, truly free market capitalism and trade tariffs are a delicate balancing act that must be navigated in the interest of BOTH labor protection and consumer purchasing power.

 

[Pookie]

Tariffs are like any other tax. In the hands of an idiot, very little good usually comes from it for most of the country.

 

[langleyr28]

the tariffs mean that in order for the U.S. to get those industries producing to become self sufficient, there will be start up costs, unions to deal with, and a lag in production timelines. It will also affect the construction industry with shortages unless stockpiles of the commodities are secured before the tariffs start.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Tariffs will raise the price of products. Just the same as higher corporate taxes will. Corporations don't pay tariffs or taxes, individuals do.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

That is like asking is a hammer good or bad.

 

[AngusBridie]

George

 

[RobDownSouth]

By that standard, there are few industries at which America could be competitive given the comparative slave wages of various developing "shit hole countries" or those artificially constrained by socialist governments.

Like most other harsh realities, truly free market capitalism and trade tariffs are a delicate balancing act that must be navigated in the interest of BOTH labor protection and consumer purchasing power.

very true.

Compare Obama's deft handling of the Chinese steel dumping of the past decade with targeted tariffs, vs. Trump's "Tariffs For EVERYONE!" simplistic base pleasing.

 

[jaF0]

That is like asking is a hammer good or bad.

Pretty much. They can be good for leveling the playing field or bad when designed to be punitive.

 

[BBX3]

Who here thinks that tariffs are a good idea?

Its NOT the tariffs, you fucking DINGBAT

Its the MESSAGE

The MESSAGE is, the ERA OF BAD DEALS IS OVER

Watch, the cuntries will cave and make a deal

You watch YOU FUCKING DINGBAT

 

[WoundedKnee]

Its NOT the tariffs, you fucking DINGBAT

Its the MESSAGE

The MESSAGE is, the ERA OF BAD DEALS IS OVER

Watch, the cuntries will cave and make a deal

You watch YOU FUCKING DINGBAT

Holy Allah! but you are a nutcase.

 

[WoundedKnee]

Now I'm really curious about how tariffs are good in the right hands. Is there someone who can elaborate that idea?

 

[Chancellor_Palpatine]

Trump was angry and ‘unglued’ when he started a trade war, officials say

 

[jaF0]

^^ Tarriff might not be the right word for what I'm thinking.

When a company lays off US workers at $15/hr to move to Pakistan and hire workers for $15/week, I would impose fees on products brought back to the US for sale so that there would be no gain in profit for them.

Same with offshore call centers. Amazon and eBay (for example) would be required to pay fees here in the US to offset any 'savings' for paying lower wage workers there.

Those fees would be paid by the companies, not the other governments.

 

[WoundedKnee]

So you approve of selective tariffs?

 

[jaF0]

I approve of taking the profit out of putting US workers out of work.

 

[WoundedKnee]

I approve of taking the profit out of putting US workers out of work.

Indeed. So, you are the "selector?" If a company becomes not profitable here and cannot make this change that you deplore so much, how does it protect jobs when the company goes belly up?

 

[Sean]

European Union officials have said they will respond "firmly" if US President Donald Trump presses ahead with his plan for steep global duties on metals.

EU trade chiefs are considering slapping 25% tariffs on around $3.5bn (£2.5bn) of imports from the US, Reuters news agency reports.

 

[Rightguide]

By that standard, there are few industries at which America could be competitive given the comparative slave wages of various developing "shit hole countries" or those artificially constrained by socialist governments.

Like most other harsh realities, truly free market capitalism and trade tariffs are a delicate balancing act that must be navigated in the interest of BOTH labor protection and consumer purchasing power.

This is true. It's a matter of what kind of standard of living you're willing to accept in exchange for limitations on aspects of your economic freedom as a nation. In short are 320,000,000 million people ready to accept significant increases in the price of "anything" made of steel to benefit the economic prospects of roughly 218,000 Americans employed by foundries and the steel industry?

 

[WoundedKnee]

This is true. It's a matter of what kind of standard of living you're willing to accept in exchange for limitations on aspects of your economic freedom as a nation. In short are 320,000,000 million people ready to accept significant increases in the price of "anything" made of steel to benefit the economic prospects of roughly 218,000 Americans employed by foundries and the steel industry?

You're getting warm...

 

[OldJourno]

I've read a little about this. Apparently U.S. Steel and Nucor are doing very well without the tariff, "controlling" roughly 70 percent of the U.S. market. This action by Trump is not really needed to "save" the American steel industry.
One point of view is that this is more about getting China's attention as it regards North Korea than it is about the price of steel and aluminum.
Another is that the benefit working class Americans get from tax reform and tax cuts will be pissed away on more expensive cars and other items.