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mathematic

(1,601 posts)
5. The whole point of tariffs is to raise prices to "protect" domestic manufacturers
Fri Mar 28, 2025, 11:46 AM
Mar 2025

Trouble competing on price (like steel)? Ask for tariffs so you can keep selling expensive steel to domestic manufacturers.

Can't compete on price or quality (like auto)? Ask for tariffs so you can keep making mediocre cars at high prices.

Your whole supply chain goes up in price because of various tariffs? You could barely turn a profit using higher value foreign made goods, good luck turning a profit with lower value (either worse quality or worse price) domestic parts.

Tariffs are a scam. Cleveland Cliffs praised steel tariffs a month ago and laid off a bunch of steelworkers this week, due to lower forecast auto demand. What a surprise. This is something any economist or, let's be honest, undergrad econ student, would have told you was going to happen. It's not a secret that there are gains from trade. We've been able to explain how for 200 years. The steel tariffs in the fist trump admin caused job losses. And the massive tariffs now, only partially implemented and only for a couple of weeks so far, have already cost jobs and economic prosperity. Much more pain to come.

Recommendations

5 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Yeah, good luck with that. Hugin Mar 2025 #1
"So who pays for that?" dweller Mar 2025 #2
Add that to states sales tax... Historic NY Mar 2025 #3
Let's say in 5 years we have new US auto plants because of tariffs. Who thinks that result in lower car prices? nt wiggs Mar 2025 #4
I doubt Rebl2 Mar 2025 #6
Tariffs kill jobs GoreWon2000 Mar 2025 #10
Who's gonna man them? NickB79 Mar 2025 #13
Once Social Security checks stop, intrepidity Mar 2025 #14
Every day, it seems more and more plausible that this administration and their backers are not interested wiggs Mar 2025 #20
The whole point of tariffs is to raise prices to "protect" domestic manufacturers mathematic Mar 2025 #5
Oh isnt he the man of the people!! Playingmantis Mar 2025 #7
Kidding? magas eat it up. There's a photo tRump showing blueprints to hard hats. That makes him a man of the people! .nt Bernardo de La Paz Mar 2025 #8
Yes Playingmantis Mar 2025 #11
That photo turns my stomach. nature-lover Mar 2025 #18
"Don't do what every economic theory since Adam Smith and basic capitalist self-interest Prairie Gates Mar 2025 #9
This guy really doesn't know how tariffs work ... aggiesal Mar 2025 #12
You nailed it...lay off employees..work harder to gut union jobs PortTack Mar 2025 #16
His economic illiteracy is astounding BrianTheEVGuy Mar 2025 #15
My daughters Honda dealership Tree Lady Mar 2025 #17
I believe that's the opposite of Free Market forces wolfie001 Mar 2025 #19
That's what tariffs are, fing imbecile iemanja Mar 2025 #21
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