Tariffs are bad, so I am told.

Discussion in 'Free Speech Alley' started by LSUpride123, Jul 23, 2018.

  1. LSUpride123

    LSUpride123 PureBlood

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2008
    Messages:
    33,672
    Likes Received:
    16,607
  2. CajunlostinCali

    CajunlostinCali Booger Eatin Moron

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2007
    Messages:
    13,180
    Likes Received:
    8,283
    Now that they have to pony up, nothing will be free. Tools.
     
  3. HalloweenRun

    HalloweenRun Founding Member

    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2009
    Messages:
    7,462
    Likes Received:
    4,950
    I do not want to start up another argument. To answer your question you need to understand there are at least two “sides” to a tariff.

    Tariffs protect business, owners, workers and stockholders. Tariffs are bad from the point of view of consumer.

    Tariffs are good: Applies to business owners.
    Tariffs are bad: Applies to consumers.

    The rub is how people wearing their “worker hat” fair in relation to these same people wearing their “consumer hat.”

    The headlines often address the impact on consumers, while the acts themselves focus on the business owner.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2018
    GiantDuckFan and LSUTiga like this.
  4. dachsie

    dachsie Veteran Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2017
    Messages:
    2,374
    Likes Received:
    2,113
    Well, well, looks like Britain has come to the table
     
    LSUTiga likes this.
  5. Winston1

    Winston1 Founding Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2010
    Messages:
    12,048
    Likes Received:
    7,423
    Link?
     
  6. dachsie

    dachsie Veteran Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2017
    Messages:
    2,374
    Likes Received:
    2,113
  7. Atreus21

    Atreus21 Founding Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2003
    Messages:
    1,660
    Likes Received:
    522
    I'm opposed to tariffs when they're undertaken under the silly logic of protectionism.

    But I admit I'm conflicted about the notion of using them as a tool of foreign policy, specifically as regards China.

    If China is going to flout the will of the international community and play hardball, then is it so horrible for their largest customers in the West to say, "Fine, then we'll arbitrarily make your products too expensive. Sure, our citizens will suffer for lack of cheaper goods, but not as much as yours will for lack of buyers. With your economy so reliant on exports, how much more damage can you inflict on us than we on you? How long will it take for our importers to find alternative sources of cheap goods and labor among your neighbors (Vietnam, Thailand, India, etc.) which will come at your expense? And once those trade relationships are set up, why would they return to you even after tariffs are lifted? And finally, how long can your single-party police state retain power when the entire basis for its continued power (economic prosperity) is jeopardized?"

    I'm a student of Milton Friedman and I therefore oppose tariffs. But I always thought about them as wrong-headed in the context of protecting markets, not punishing bad actors. I'm beginning to think Trump should lift tariffs on everyone except China.

    Friedman would probably disagree with me though. He'd say I was finding justification for governments to interfere in the marketplace. That's why I say I'm conflicted.

    F China. Or at least the snakes who run the place.
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2018
  8. LaSalleAve

    LaSalleAve when in doubt, mumble

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    Messages:
    44,037
    Likes Received:
    18,027
    They are also spending way more money than we are on quantum computing r&d and quantum security through entanglement. It’s funny the worlds leader in intellectual property theft has designed what seems to be an unhackable way to communicate.
     
  9. dachsie

    dachsie Veteran Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2017
    Messages:
    2,374
    Likes Received:
    2,113
    And now we have a deal with Mexico.....
     
  10. Bengal B

    Bengal B Founding Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2002
    Messages:
    47,986
    Likes Received:
    22,992
    Quantum computers will be the end of mankind. Computers with such godlike powers that mere humans will be less than insects by comparison.
     

Share This Page