The Tariffs

[TemplarKormac]

Fun Fact:

US Trade Exports have increased by 400% since 2000-2001. This seemingly exponential growth in our exports would seemingly suggest there would be no need for tariffs.

Trump is neglecting far more effective tools by which he could hammer Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU with. That increase over the past two and a half decades suggests tariffs aren't the best way to handle this. As someone has explained it to me, with far more knowledge on trade than I:

"The exponential revenue growth of our exports over that period of time outstrips the revenue we would gain by tariffs.

But now that we have implemented those tariffs, the US will see fewer imports, which will decrease US exports.

It would simply be better not to place tariffs on US exports at this point. The decrease in imports would likely trigger net job losses stateside."

In short, he said, "he should leave our imports/exports alone."

As for what more effective methods there are, I'll leave that up to you.

 

[jwoodie]

Trump is neglecting far more effective tools by which he could hammer Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU with.

What are those "more effective tools" you are yammering about?

P.S. 400% growth over 24 years is not exponential. It is about 10% per year.

 

[TemplarKormac]

What are those "more effective tools" you are yammering about?

P.S. 400% growth over 24 years is not exponential. It is about 10% per year.

I don't know what those tools are.

I was hoping someone else would know. Yes, I'm being flat out honest. I have no clue.

 

[JohnDB]

 

[TemplarKormac]

Tariffs will only trigger a decrease in demand for US goods. It also increases the trade deficit.

How does this help us?

And if it is, how? What is the end goal?

Does this not defeat any positive purpose intended by these tariffs?

 

[TemplarKormac]

jwoodie

What am I not getting here? Make me understand.

 

[JohnDB]

jwoodie

What am I not getting here? Make me understand.

 

[Thinker101]

Fun Fact:

US Trade Exports have increased by 400% since 2000-2001. This seemingly exponential growth in our exports would seemingly suggest there would be no need for tariffs.

Trump is neglecting far more effective tools by which he could hammer Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU with. That increase over the past two and a half decades suggests tariffs aren't the best way to handle this. As someone has explained it to me, with far more knowledge on trade than I:

"The exponential revenue growth of our exports over that period of time outstrips the revenue we would gain by tariffs.

But now that we have implemented those tariffs, the US will see fewer imports, which will decrease US exports.

It would simply be better not to place tariffs on US exports at this point. The decrease in imports would likely trigger net job losses stateside."

In short, he said, "he should leave our imports/exports alone."

As for what more effective methods there are, I'll leave that up to you.

• Between 2019 and 2024, U.S. border officials recorded 11 million unauthorized migrant encounters.
• Mexico’s share of unauthorized immigrants declined to 37% in 2022, with 4.0M individuals, the lowest since the 1990s.
• Unauthorized immigrants make up 8.3M workers or 5% of the U.S. workforce.
• The unauthorized population grew to 11.3M in 2024, reversing its decline from a 2007 peak of 12.2M.
• Title 42, invoked in 2020, caused inflated encounter numbers due to higher recidivism, ending in May 2023.
• Six states, including Florida (+400,000) and Texas (+85,000), saw the largest growth in unauthorized populations (2019–2024).

When you consider the increase in drugs, a 25% tariff is being way too fair.

 

[ColonelAngus]

I do not think Trump plans on them being permanent.

He flexed and got Columbia and Panama to capitulate.

There is not enough domestic manufacturing.

Just as one example…WAY TO MANY DRUGS ARE MANUFACTURED IN CHINA.

 

[TemplarKormac]

I may need to look for the press releases those companies released. Because I'm not seeing any sources yet.

 

[Concerned American]

"The exponential revenue growth of our exports over that period of time outstrips the revenue we would gain by tariffs.

The tariffs are not designed to grow revenue. They are designed to influence behavior by cutting US consumption of targeted goods in order to gain concessions from the foreign government. Over time, those concessions will enhance our trade position. Another benefit would be making US manufacturing more attractive to ex pat companies who have gone off shore and return them to the US. American jobs.

 

[Dekster]

Fun Fact:

US Trade Exports have increased by 400% since 2000-2001. This seemingly exponential growth in our exports would seemingly suggest there would be no need for tariffs.

Trump is neglecting far more effective tools by which he could hammer Canada, China, Mexico, and the EU with. That increase over the past two and a half decades suggests tariffs aren't the best way to handle this. As someone has explained it to me, with far more knowledge on trade than I:

"The exponential revenue growth of our exports over that period of time outstrips the revenue we would gain by tariffs.

But now that we have implemented those tariffs, the US will see fewer imports, which will decrease US exports.

It would simply be better not to place tariffs on US exports at this point. The decrease in imports would likely trigger net job losses stateside."

In short, he said, "he should leave our imports/exports alone."

As for what more effective methods there are, I'll leave that up to you.

Fun fact: Since 2000, total us manufacturing's share of GDP has dropped roughly a third, Additionally inflation has been roughly 82% cumulatively.

As for Trump, we'll see. Maybe he will use this as a chance to leverage better trade deals. IDK. If he doesn't, the economy is screwed for a lot of people. Gonna be a fugly week on Wall Street,

 

[Darkwind]

I am really amused by the talking point of "Canda and Mexico" retaliation tariffs. The clowns don't even know that Trump's traffic ARE THE RETALIATION.

Canada and Mexico have been screwing us for decades and now they're just squealing like the pigs they are.

BTW....How much harm and pain will Canadians and Mexicans suffer when their country imposes ((ADDITIONAL)) tariffs on the US?

You all do realize it works both ways, right?

 

[TemplarKormac]

The tariffs are not designed to grow revenue. They are designed to influence behavior by cutting US consumption of targeted goods in order to gain concessions from the foreign government. Over time, those concessions will enhance our trade position.

I see, but depending on the length of the tariffs, that could impact costs here. I thought that was something Trump wanted to avoid?

Is he hoping he won't need these tariffs long enough to make any difference on our prices?

It takes months for prices to reflect tariffs.

 

[TemplarKormac]

The tariffs are not designed to grow revenue. They are designed to influence behavior by cutting US consumption of targeted goods in order to gain concessions from the foreign government. Over time, those concessions will enhance our trade position. Another benefit would be making US manufacturing more attractive to ex pat companies who have gone off shore and return them to the US. American jobs.

Fascinating, yet again.

 

[JohnDB]

I may need to look for the press releases those companies released. Because I'm not seeing any sources yet.

This is just a sample....there are many others in Mexico and Canada that are looking to bring production back into the US to avoid tariffs.

It's a complicated and slow process as supplies and materials need to be sourced....not to mention plant locations, utilities, and labor pool. Most states will give certain concessions and aide to bring the plant to their state.

These deals take time to put together and make happen. Announcements come last.

 

[TemplarKormac]

I'm just an economic layman. Edify me.

 

[TemplarKormac]

You all do realize it works both ways, right?

I do.

We do more business with them than they do with us, relative to the sizes of our economies. The loss of our business would hurt them more than a loss of their business with us.

But my thought is that pain will still be felt. Trump campaigned on lowering prices, yet these tariffs, if left in place for 6 or more months, will raise them, offering no relief from the rising prices we're already seeing from the Biden fiasco.

 

[Concerned American]

I see, but depending on the length of the tariffs, that could impact costs here. I thought that was something Trump wanted to avoid?

Is he hoping he won't need these tariffs long enough to make any difference on our prices?

It takes months for prices to reflect tariffs.

A good example of tariffs that worked would be the Japanese automotive industry. US tariffs are what convinced them to move manufacturing to US soil. Other foreign car manufacturers have followed suit--Mercedes, VW, Nissan, Honda, Toyota and BMW all have plants in the US---American jobs.

 

[TemplarKormac]

I want to think these tariffs are serving some greater purpose other than simple retaliation.