Featured Trump tariffs put the US auto industry in disarray

PPI increased 0.9% today much higher than expectations. The tarrifs are now heavily hitting manufacturers, which still has a delay on inflation CPI. The emergency of the trade war hit a new phase as there is another 90 delay on them applying to china. If its an emergency it sure feels like a made up one, and if its not, why not negotiate in good faith instead of the bs that will lead to china taking more advantage of the US. The administation put forth the argument in court that its an emergency because they are getting so much tax revenue. I guess its an emergency to raise taxes on the working and middle class so that those making more than $500K/year get a big tax break.

 

I don't want to play numbers games with endless citations "proving" one thing or another, but generally, free trade is good; protectionism bad. Anyone who needs their job protected by tariffs, doesn't have a real job anyway, at least not a viable one that can compete in the world. Those who descry cheap wages should understand that they start low, but increase over time, along with the standard of living.

I've lived long enough to see the world become much more prosperous because of free trade. There was plenty of anti-free trade sentiment 40 years ago, but it has nearly all disappeared due to the prosperity that resulted, proving those knuckleheads wrong.

 

they may increase over time, but in the meantime, entire industries are lost.
and they may not increase if slave labor is involved.
and it's not only labor, it's safety and environmental regulations as well

 

I'd never regret an industry lost because it couldn't compete. Anyone who can't find a new job, can't adapt.

 

i don't consider people expendable, and i don't consider losing industries to foreign powers a good thing.
but i do remember history, and recognize what is going on in the world today and what has always gone on.

 

But in the grander scheme of things, it has been a good thing. I've seen that over the decades.
Short term tears turn into long, interesting careers, and everyone is better off.