Tariffs, a ‘solution’ in search of a problem that doesn’t exist

[C_Clayton_Jones]

‘It’s not every day that a president proudly pursues an agenda that threatens to create a global recession. But that’s what President Donald Trump has done with his tariffs. Trump’s “liberation day” announcement featured new tariffs—long been derided by most economists—on almost all countries, including some uninhabited islands. In response, the stock market dropped and consumer confidence tanked at the prospect of snarled supply chains, higher prices, and a global growth slow-down. A week later, Trump blinked, lowering most of the new tariffs to 10% for the next 90 days, except for China, which faces a staggering 145% tariff rate.

The whole policy is a debacle based on a series of misconceptions and fumbled steps.

First, the entire premise of the tariffs—that we face a trade deficit crisis that requires drastic action—is plain wrong. A trade deficit simply means that we import (buy) more goods from other countries than we export (sell) to them. There is nothing inherently sinister about this. Trade deficits are not evidence of unfair trade barriers or discrimination. Instead, they arise naturally from the idea that there are gains from trade. For example, you run a trade deficit with your local grocery store, and your employer runs a trade deficit with you. Your life would be much more difficult and costly if you had to produce everything you wanted to consume—and the same is true for the nation as a whole.’

Tariffs: A bad idea, poorly implemented

The president's trade policy is threatening a global recession.

open.substack.com

Tariffs are a 19th century anachronism, a failed policy devoid of merit in the 21st century.

 

[georgephillip]

Unintended Consequences?

China Halts Boeing Deliveries Amid Trade War Escalation

"The Chinese government orders airlines to suspend Boeing aircraft deliveries due to soaring tariffs and rising costs.​

"In a significant escalation of the ongoing trade war between the United States and China, Beijing has ordered its airlines to halt all deliveries of Boeing aircraft.

"This directive, which affects major carriers such as Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, comes in response to the hefty tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, which have reached as high as 145% on Chinese imports.

"In retaliation, China has announced its own set of retaliatory tariffs, including a 125% levy on American goods, further complicating the already tense trade relations."

 

[Nuthin' Fancy]

Tariffs, a ‘solution’ in search of a problem that doesn’t exist​

Those penguins were a problem.............

US defends tariffs on remote island of penguins and seals​

BBC
https://www.bbc.com › news › articles
Apr 6, 2025 — A group of islands, occupied only by penguins and seals, has been swept up in Trump's trade war.

The US Commerce Secretary has defended the country's decision to impose tariffs on a group of uninhabited islands, which are populated only by penguins and seals.

The imposition of tariffs on the Heard and McDonald islands was meant to close "ridiculous loopholes" and would prevent other countries from shipping through the islands to reach the US, Howard Lutnick told the BBC's US partner CBS.

Just how stupid is Lutnick?

Australia's Heard and McDonald Islands in the sub-Antarctic region, one of the most remote places on earth, and which, according to the Australian government website, have only been visited by humans about 242 times since 1855.

 

[1srelluc]

I live in the rust belt. Your talk is shit talk.


You just don't care about us. Indeed, you are actively hostile to us. You think we are racist rubes, who are too stupid to have a voice, and should defer to our "Betters".

So, take your line of shit talk and go try to sell it to someone dumb enough to buy it. Try the local university. They eat that shit up, from what I hear.

Don't sweat it, let the leftists have their little circle jerk.

 

[luiza]

Celia has no idea that you need to drive the US dollar down as far as possible before you change the Debt system to one backed by a twin precious metals standard, or , even by Crypto .

Basic Economics .
But way beyond the Troll Bots here .
Both Left and right .

Trumpfy is with you to try and look after Israel before America .
Which is reasonable as that is where the driving force is located .

 

[JimH52]

‘It’s not every day that a president proudly pursues an agenda that threatens to create a global recession. But that’s what President Donald Trump has done with his tariffs. Trump’s “liberation day” announcement featured new tariffs—long been derided by most economists—on almost all countries, including some uninhabited islands. In response, the stock market dropped and consumer confidence tanked at the prospect of snarled supply chains, higher prices, and a global growth slow-down. A week later, Trump blinked, lowering most of the new tariffs to 10% for the next 90 days, except for China, which faces a staggering 145% tariff rate.

The whole policy is a debacle based on a series of misconceptions and fumbled steps.

First, the entire premise of the tariffs—that we face a trade deficit crisis that requires drastic action—is plain wrong. A trade deficit simply means that we import (buy) more goods from other countries than we export (sell) to them. There is nothing inherently sinister about this. Trade deficits are not evidence of unfair trade barriers or discrimination. Instead, they arise naturally from the idea that there are gains from trade. For example, you run a trade deficit with your local grocery store, and your employer runs a trade deficit with you. Your life would be much more difficult and costly if you had to produce everything you wanted to consume—and the same is true for the nation as a whole.’

Tariffs: A bad idea, poorly implemented

The president's trade policy is threatening a global recession.

open.substack.com

Tariffs are a 19th century anachronism, a failed policy devoid of merit in the 21st century.

China is finding new trading partners and trump thinks industries will build factories over night. He is a MORON.

 

[Silent Warrior]

Another thread by folks who have no idea about the purpose and effect of tariffs spouting off about tariffs.

 

[JimH52]

Another thread by folks who have no idea about the purpose and effect of tariffs spouting off about tariffs.

And where did you get your degree in Economics?