Trump: "A Tariff is a tax that doesn’t affect our country"

[Woodznutz]

Well it does make sense. The consumers pays more for the product.

The government makes money on the deal

It then becomes a question of how the government spends that money.

The government will use the money to fund programs that will need funding in perpetuity.

"The nearest thing to eternal life is a government program." -Ronald Reagan

 

[eagle1462010]

Tariff is a protectionist trade policy

Yes it is. And it keeps jobs here and KEEPS INDUSTRY HERE.

 

[task0778]

Sounds like a policy to bring on more inflation.

True, that is not the intent but it is the reality. Tariffs are not particularly good for economic growth either, because tariffs result in higher prices and that generally means lower demand. The affected foreign countries from the imposed tariffs will retaliate by creating a tariff on our stuff exported to them, so overall there might be gains for the protected industry but losses in other industries that got screwed. Both democrats and republicans have pursued this policy at various times, and Trump is no exception. It's a populist idea that is actually dumb-shit stupid no matter who does it.

Those interested might want to read about the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in 1930 and see what effect it had. It's not like we're in a depression now like we were then, but some people say we could be close to another economic downturn. IMHO, tariffs are a bad idea that doesn't really move the needle much for the balance of trade; pluses are offset by minuses.

 

[Woodznutz]

True, that is not the intent but it is the reality. Tariffs are not particularly good for economic growth either, because tariffs result in higher prices and that generally means lower demand. The affected foreign countries from the imposed tariffs will retaliate by creating a tariff on our stuff exported to them, so overall there might be gains for the protected industry but losses in other industries that got screwed. Both democrats and republicans have pursued this policy at various times, and Trump is no exception. It's a populist idea that is actually dumb-shit stupid no matter who does it.

Those interested might want to read about the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in 1930 and see what effect it had. It's not like we're in a depression now like we were then, but some people say we could be close to another economic downturn. IMHO, tariffs are a bad idea that doesn't really move the needle much for the balance of trade; pluses are offset by minuses.

The proof is in the pudding, our trade deficit grew under Trump, and is accelerating under Biden. It will continue to grow as America continues to commit industrial suicide on an industrial scale.

 

[Vrenn]

U.S. Federal Government Revenues: 1790 to the Present

From 1791 to 1811, the Federal Troops were confined to 75K troops. They were underpaid, hungry and couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag. Britain kicked our asses in the War of 1812 burned the newly built Whitehouse. In reality, the only real battle the US won was AFTER the war officially ended. Britain just got bored and could use the troops elsewhere against the French and Spain.

 

[Rambunctious]

Tariff is a protectionist trade policy

That every other nation has...

 

[Rambunctious]

If you don't think we should place tariffs on China then you have fallen for CCP propaganda...

 

[jwoodie]

This is patently false. Either Trump doesn't understand basic economics or he's lying. No matter what he says, tariffs aren't paid by the other country. They're paid by you. In 2019, the Trump administration doled out billions in "free" money to farmers who could no longer sell their goods to China due to their retaliatory strike in buying American agriculture due to Trump's tariffs. I believe this is what MAGA calls "Socialism."

Playing word games again? BTW, are you for or against US tariffs on Chinese goods?

 

[GWV5903]

Notice republicans don’t talk about paying workers more. They talk about making things they buy cheaper.

You are painfully oblivious to how businesses stay in business