4 ms·

Anyone able and willing (and brave enough) to explain like I’m five why Trump’s decisions could possibly be rational and helpful as opposed to just reactionary

by afpx 8y ago

Anyone able and willing (and brave enough) to explain like I’m five why Trump’s decisions could possibly be rational and helpful as opposed to just reactionary and impulsive, as they appear to be?

mchannon 8y ago
I don't think it's controversial to say the decisions are rational and helpful, as long as you remember to include "to certain entities". Winners: •Manufacturers of Steel, Aluminum, Electronic Components in US. •Consumers of goods under retaliatory tariffs (pork chops are now going to cost Americans a little less because the Chinese aren't going to import as many). Losers: •Consumers of Steel, etc., including manufacturers of assemblies, and retail consumers. •Producers of goods for export that are subject to retaliatory tariffs. If you look under "chicken tax" you'll see these kinds of battles are neither new, nor did they ever completely go away. It's widely agreed that more Americans will lose their jobs from these policies than will be hired, but if we're somehow at full employment, that might not bear out. I don't see that happening, but if you believe in magic...
- deleted 8y ago
  [deleted]
- bumblebritches5 8y ago
  > It's widely agreed that more Americans will lose their jobs from these policies than will be hired Maybe by shills and complete idiots.
firic 8y ago
Sure, I'll try. Keep in mind that I will only mention the benefits. Read other sources for the disadvantages so that you can make a decision. * America feels that caring for the environment is important so there are laws preventing companies from polluting "too much". In China they don't have as strict laws. Therefore manufacturing in America is more environmentally friendly than in China. Therefore, it is worth the tax on the consumer to keep the environment cleaner. * America believes that people deserve basic workers rights that are not offered in China. Without tariffs companies offering workers rights could not compete against those who aren't. * In the case of a war, China may stop providing American with steel when they need it the most. By encouraging Americans to make steel plants, in the case of a war, America will be able to produce the steel. * China is very powerful, so much so that they could be a threat to America. However most of China's economy comes from export. Tariffs will hurt America, but will hurt China much more, thereby making them less of a threat against America's world dominance. * Canada tarrifs some of Americans goods. That is not good for America. By retaliating with tariffs, Canada may agree for both sides to stop tarrifs. (that is most likely not applicable for this case since Trump didn't announce that as his demands)
- DomreiRoam 8y ago
  I think you can replace US by EU and China by US and then justify that EU raise tariffs against US. I don't think it makes sense to have tariff. EU ask mostly US goods to follow EU laws and regulations.

by afpx 8y ago

mchannon 8y ago

I don't think it's controversial to say the decisions are rational and helpful, as long as you remember to include "to certain entities". Winners: •Manufacturers of Steel, Aluminum, Electronic Components in US. •Consumers of goods under retaliatory tariffs (pork chops are now going to cost Americans a little less because the Chinese aren't going to import as many). Losers: •Consumers of Steel, etc., including manufacturers of assemblies, and retail consumers. •Producers of goods for export that are subject to retaliatory tariffs. If you look under "chicken tax" you'll see these kinds of battles are neither new, nor did they ever completely go away. It's widely agreed that more Americans will lose their jobs from these policies than will be hired, but if we're somehow at full employment, that might not bear out. I don't see that happening, but if you believe in magic...

deleted 8y ago
[deleted]
bumblebritches5 8y ago
> It's widely agreed that more Americans will lose their jobs from these policies than will be hired Maybe by shills and complete idiots.

firic 8y ago

Sure, I'll try. Keep in mind that I will only mention the benefits. Read other sources for the disadvantages so that you can make a decision. * America feels that caring for the environment is important so there are laws preventing companies from polluting "too much". In China they don't have as strict laws. Therefore manufacturing in America is more environmentally friendly than in China. Therefore, it is worth the tax on the consumer to keep the environment cleaner. * America believes that people deserve basic workers rights that are not offered in China. Without tariffs companies offering workers rights could not compete against those who aren't. * In the case of a war, China may stop providing American with steel when they need it the most. By encouraging Americans to make steel plants, in the case of a war, America will be able to produce the steel. * China is very powerful, so much so that they could be a threat to America. However most of China's economy comes from export. Tariffs will hurt America, but will hurt China much more, thereby making them less of a threat against America's world dominance. * Canada tarrifs some of Americans goods. That is not good for America. By retaliating with tariffs, Canada may agree for both sides to stop tarrifs. (that is most likely not applicable for this case since Trump didn't announce that as his demands)

DomreiRoam 8y ago
I think you can replace US by EU and China by US and then justify that EU raise tariffs against US. I don't think it makes sense to have tariff. EU ask mostly US goods to follow EU laws and regulations.