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You can improve all those things, even fast, without doing… this. Tariffing close allies at the same time as likely or actual foes especially doesn’t make sens

You can improve all those things, even fast, without doing… this. Tariffing close allies at the same time as likely or actual foes especially doesn’t make sense. And rather than this weird roundabout approach, the government can just… pay for things to happen. Like, they used to run weapons factories. If that’s the actual reason for this, it would have been a ton cheaper to just fire up a few government factories, continue and expand the chips act, and maybe ramp up some targeted tariffs and other controls, which would have been way more effective with allies on board. Or, they can start placing drone orders and handing out r&d contracts with specifications that they be entirely made in the USA. You may be presenting a real perspective, and it could be entirely correct, and this still would be extremely stupid.

didericis 2y ago
Yes, this is a real perspective. Again, I’m not endorsing the approach they’re taking, I’m simply explaining it. I also don’t think even a moderate introduction of tariffs would have been viewed favorably. Reindustrialization is I think necessary/I agree with the desire to ramp up domestic production and secure supply chains in both America and Europe, but we haven’t done it yet because it’s going to be painful to reverse the current trajectory. This could very well be a part of a kind of shock deal to get allies to know we’re serious as we negotiate down. I’m not saying I agree with that tactic, either, and the complaints about the damage in trust are extremely valid.