Are Tariffs A Good Idea?

[Mac1958]

Thanks to the regular Trump/MAGA disinformation/ignorance, we can't even agree what tariffs ARE.

They STILL think they're fees paid by the outgoing country.

 

[okfine]

He didn't vote for Biden. You are aware that Biden levied 50% tariffs on China in December aren't you?

Biden orders up to 50% tariffs on some solar energy components from China

The duties will target critical solar energy inputs, including wafers, polysilicon and tungsten products, beginning Jan. 1.

www.utilitydive.com

The Atlanta Fed just announced issues in your dear leaders 1st quarter...

"Specifically, the Atlanta Fed now projects that the economy will shrink by 2.8 percent in Q1 2025, which actually marks a deterioration from the projection it made last week that the economy would shrink by 1.5 percent on the quarter"

You voted for it. You own it.

 

[bendog]

I heard the Mexican President knows how to make Trump happy. If he wants her to send the Military to the border just to show his constituents, she'll do it. So she did it. It didn't solve a thing.

Trump tariffs will raise gasoline and electricity prices in the U.S., Canada energy minister says​

it made trump happy. We'll see if he's happy enough. lol

 

[Concerned American]

The Atlanta Fed just announced issues in your dear leaders 1st quarter...

"Specifically, the Atlanta Fed now projects that the economy will shrink by 2.8 percent in Q1 2025, which actually marks a deterioration from the projection it made last week that the economy would shrink by 1.5 percent on the quarter"

You voted for it. You own it.

Projects? Woulda, coulda, shoulda? Typical democrat panic porn. Let me know when the sky falls, okfume.

 

[okfine]

Projects? Woulda, coulda, shoulda? Typical democrat panic porn. Let me know when the sky falls, okfume.

 

[task0778]

On the other hand, that higher cost might make it possible for American producers of the “stuff” to fairly compete with the foreign nation (and it’s unfair subsidies). That could yield more jobs at home.

2 points. One, we're talking about higher prices for the same damn thing. Don't tell me it's for a better product cuz for the most part it isn't. So, we're talking inflation here, a higher price due to gov't intervention. Maybe not a lot, but then there's point #2.

The 2nd point is the retaliation. Besides the American consumer who is now paying a higher price, the foreign country's gov't can in most cases, raise a higher tariff on our stuff going there. Or they find another source for whatever we were exporting to them. So, we have some winners but also some losers here. Just because the tariff makes the imported product more expensive does not necessarily mean that Amercian consumers will now buy the domestic product. Maybe they find an alternative or go without. And whatever new jobs get created here by the winners could be offset by job losses by the losers.

Generally, tariffs and other protectionist measures do not reap the expected rewards we are told of. And nobody mentions the flipside when the other countries hit us with their payback. When Trump raised tariffs on China during his 1st term, they responded by raising tariffs on our soybeans exported to them. As a result, Trump spent about $23 billion in payments to help make up for losses due to the trade war. Read the history of what happened when the Smoot Hawley bill was passed almost a century ago. I'm not saying things will get that bad, but I think on balance it isn't the best way to deal with the unfair trade practices in other places.

 

[Concerned American]

The Atlanta Fed just announced issues in your dear leaders 1st quarter...

"Specifically, the Atlanta Fed now projects that the economy will shrink by 2.8 percent in Q1 2025, which actually marks a deterioration from the projection it made last week that the economy would shrink by 1.5 percent on the quarter"

You voted for it. You own it.

LOL, nice deflection, ineffective but nice just the same. Now would you care to respond to those Biden tariffs that went into effect on Jan. 1 that you so maligned? Probably not

 

[okfine]

LOL, nice deflection, ineffective but nice just the same. Now would you care to respond to those Biden tariffs that went into effect on Jan. 1 that you so maligned? Probably not

Trump's 1st quarter not looking so hot, eh Maynard?

 

[Concerned American]

2 points. One, we're talking about higher prices for the same damn thing. Don't tell me it's for a better product cuz for the most part it isn't. So, we're talking inflation here, a higher price due to gov't intervention. Maybe not a lot, but then there's point #2.

The 2nd point is the retaliation. Besides the American consumer who is now paying a higher price, the foreign country's gov't can in most cases, raise a higher tariff on our stuff going there. Or they find another source for whatever we were exporting to them. So, we have some winners but also some losers here. Just because the tariff makes the imported product more expensive does not necessarily mean that Amercian consumers will now buy the domestic product. Maybe they find an alternative or go without. And whatever new jobs get created here by the winners could be offset by job losses by the losers.

Generally, tariffs and other protectionist measures do not reap the expected rewards we are told of. And nobody mentions the flipside when the other countries hit us with their payback. Read the history of what happened when the Smoot Hawley bill was passed almost a century ago. I'm not saying things will get that bad, but I think on balance it isn't the best way to deal with the unfair trade practices in other places.

The one point neither of you seemed to be aware of--and the absolute most important reason for tariffs is the trade imbalance comes closer making us less likely to become owned by a foreign entity. We are close now.

 

[Independent thinker]

Too early to tell for sure. I know that Canada and Mexico are bending the knee where border security is concerned. That's certainly a good thing. But if I have to pay Lincoln Electric 10% more for goods, my customers will be paying 12% more for them. Not sure if the average, blue collar welder is going to be too happy. If Lincoln does this then we can expect Miller Electric, ESAB, Hypertherm, and a bunch of other companies to do the same.

There is a yin/yang to it all. No doubt some prices will be higher with tariffs but there are a good number of other things where the prices won't be going up and may, in fact, come down in a variety of ways, such as cheaper energy costs and less illegals forcing prices up. What a lot of people don't seem to understand is that Trump put tariffs on in his first term and, generally speaking, prices did NOT go up.

 

[bendog]

I'm against paying farmers to not sell their goods

 

[okfine]

There is a yin/yang to it all. No doubt some prices will be higher with tariffs but there are a good number of other things where the prices won't be going up and may, in fact, come down in a variety of ways, such as cheaper energy costs and less illegals forcing prices up. What a lot of people don't seem to understand is that Trump put tariffs on in his first term and, generally speaking, prices did NOT go up.

You wouldn't have to say anything, but you had to vote for Trump. Ying yang.

 

[Concerned American]

Trump's 1st quarter not looking so hot, eh Maynard?

What about those 50% Biden tariffs on China that went into effect Jan 1? Did you forget you blamed them on Trump? Please be consistent.

 

[bendog]

It's all Trump's baby now.

 

[Concerned American]

You wouldn't have to say anything, but you had to vote for Trump. Ying yang.

And you're still avoiding the fact that you voted for "50% tariff Biden" C'mon woman, can you say hypocrite?

 

[okfine]

And you're still avoiding the fact that you voted for "50% tariff Biden" C'mon woman, can you say hypocrite?

The only woman around right now is you, bitch.

 

[SaxonJackson]

And I thought your dear leader was going to lower prices.

Is he working on that?

Ultimately, the general cost of living will go down in most cases. We can expect lower energy and fuel prices. That will translate into lower transportation costs which will lower the prices of domestic goods. Energy independence is key. And without the Obama/Biden/Harris-type fools running the show ... chickens will make a comeback and egg prices will go down. So, yes, Trump will generally be good for America if he keeps a level head. DOGE is doing fantastic things and reducing fraud and wasteful spending. I know that makes the Demwits angry but it's very, very good for America.

 

[Concerned American]

The only woman around right now is you, bitch.

Tariffs is the topic, moron. Please answer the question. Why are you not slamming Biden for his 50% tariffs? Pray tell, missy.

 

[okfine]

Tariffs is the topic, moron. Please answer the question. Why are you not slamming Biden for his 50% tariffs? Pray tell, missy.

Beg me more.

 

[task0778]

The one point neither of you seemed to be aware of--and the absolute most important reason for tariffs is the trade imbalance comes closer making us less likely to become owned by a foreign entity. We are close now.

Oh, I don't think so. If I'm not mistaken, the president can prevent foreign ownership of just about anything on grounds of national security. Foreign countries can accumulate US dollars but they can't takeover anything unless our gov't allows it.