Trump's Insane Tariff Policies

Yes, I’m one of a small percentage of Americans that actually support tariffs… WHEN USED CORRECTLY! Many Americans don’t understand the purpose of tariffs, and apparently, after six months of sending off tariff balloons just to see where they land, President Trump doesn’t, either

There is only one legitimate reason to use tariffs. That’s to enable American companies to compete with foreign companies that have pennies-on-the-dollar labor costs and/or pennies-on-the-dollar supply costs. Numerous foreign companies, with far lower expenses, can flood the American market with extremely low-priced goods, putting American companies out of business. Either that, or American companies will be forced to outsource their labor in order to survive, which still puts Americans out of work.

America once had companies with names like Zenith, RCA, American Printing Company, Lockheed Shipping, Cannon Mills, United States Rubber, and more. North Carolina used to be known as a furniture capital, but try finding American-made furniture today. Those that do exist, likely cater to “those with money”. Electronics, textiles, shipping, rubber, and furniture haven’t become obsolete. They will always be in demand. Tariffs, implemented with common sense, could potentially bring the return of such businesses. However, that also requires government quit adding competition-reducing regulations on America’s industry.

With the ‘when’ stated, let’s talk ‘when not’. Tariffs should not be used on products that would be difficult to manufacture/grow/mine in America. Coffee, cork, bamboo, bananas, curry, turmeric, lithium, cobalt, etc., come to mind. America could never produce enough of its own, if at all. There is zero reason to tariff these products.

Nor should tariffs be used to support protectionism. Protectionism permits companies to slacken off on quality, reasonable wages, and technological advancements. We saw that with the American car market in the 1970’s. Detroit grew complacent and foreign vehicles started becoming more noticeable.

Trump has now imposed rates of 10% to 41%, with the highest on countries such as Switzerland, Brazil and Syria. Imports from Syria only amount to $11M, so why? We import $44B from Brazil, mostly things we could make here such as distillates and iron, so that makes some sense. We import $66B from Switzerland, mostly pharmaceuticals and precious gems. One could argue, as I do, that US pharmaceutical production is a health security issue. Remember COVID, when everything was in short supply?

Sad to say, Trump seems to mostly impose tariffs in an attempt to force other countries to bend to his political will. While he espouses economics, it seems much more like a power trip. In reality, it’s a combination, the latter of which should not exist.

So, yes! This somewhat tariff supporter is tired of the circus. The circus needs to leave town. If tariffs can’t be used wisely, they need not be used at all.