Does the US actually have a "trade imbalance"?

[j-mac]

I think we already do that.

Except you’d be wrong.

Trump really doesn't know very much. He has an opinion on many things but that's about it. If you don't read, then you can't know and Trump doesn't read.

You don’t have the first clue what Trump knows, or doesn’t know. Just another useless troll from you, a know nothing….

 

[BluesLegend]

Does the US actually have a "trade imbalance"?​

The Biden/Dem trade deficit was $1.2 TRILLION you fool, next question.

 

[Dorian Mode]

In my opinion, that most important problem is that we should not have allowed our production to be outsourced offshore.
The problem is that we do not make TVs, cellphones, computers, etc., in the US any more.
The only point of tariffs is to use them as a theoretical threat.
You threaten companies that if they leave the US to produce with cheaper labor, then they won't be allowed free access to our markets any more when they want to sell their products. Otherwise, tariffs are really bad for everyone.
So what Trump has to do is first get new production companies started in the US.
And only then impose tariffs.

Bingo! People just love to argue and only scratch the surface of very complicated problems. This most likely has nothing to do with tariffs and more with preparing America for the inevitable war with China. American production of arms during WWII was a key factor in winning that sustained war. Today, how is it's manufacturing sector should America find itself in a sustained war with China? China will be able to survive a long term war with the US. Will the US? America is no longer self sufficient to protect itself without having to resort to nuclear weapons.

 

[expat_panama]

The Biden/Dem trade deficit was $1.2 TRILLION you fool, next question.

There are some folks who'd read that and think you mean that sometime during the past 4 years, a ship w/ $1.2T of U.S. citizens money went out into the ocean and gave away the money.

OK, so you don't mean that. Question: what do you mean --iow where did the money come from, was the money lost w/o compensation, and how was it given away, who received it?

If you don't know then that's fine. Like, there's lots of things I don't know. It's just that when I don't know something I don't make up numbers to tell others.

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

Does the US actually have a "trade imbalance"?​

Of course they do. the US is an import country.

I have a "trade" imbalance with my grocery store.

Exactly HOW can I impose "Tariffs" on them?

 

[expat_panama]

Does the US actually have a "trade imbalance"?​

Of course they do. the US is an import country.

I have a "trade" imbalance with my grocery store.

Exactly HOW can I impose "Tariffs" on them?

Naturally there's more to it than that.

W/ the international balance of payments we've not only got purchases but on top of that there're exchange rates --like if the grocer only accepted "store money" for purchases and somewhere you had to exchange your employment money for store money. Then what would happen is that the grocery store would end up w/ an excess of employment dollars and to unload them he'd have to say, buy out your home mortgage, and that would lower your mortgage interest.

w/ international payments we got payments for goods'n'services (trade balance) and on top of that we got payments or capital (capital balance). Generally the two roughly balance each other out --if not then we got a big shift in exchange rates.

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

Naturally there's more to it than that.

W/ the international balance of payments we've not only got purchases but on top of that there're exchange rates --like if the grocer only accepted "store money" for purchases and somewhere you had to exchange your employment money for store money. Then what would happen is that the grocery store would end up w/ an excess of employment dollars and to unload them he'd have to say, buy out your home mortgage, and that would lower your mortgage interest.

w/ international payments we got payments for goods'n'services (trade balance) and on top of that we got payments or capital (capital balance). Generally the two roughly balance each other out --if not then we got a big shift in exchange rates.

I still stand by my statement.
I'm not disagreeing with yours.

All the other countries have the same issue with "Store" $$$ and exchange rates.

 

[Mac1958]

And China keeps moving in, right under our noses, while we're in a trade war with the world.

No excuse for this.

China, Brazil agree to defend free trade as leaders meet in Beijing

 

[expat_panama]

I still stand by my statement.
I'm not disagreeing with yours.

All the other countries have the same issue with "Store" $$$ and exchange rates.

Agreed, neither of us is disagreeing w/ the other. What I was doing as adding to your correct statement w/ additional info.