Subj : Re: Why US Import Tariffs Won't Work
To   : Joseph Pereira
From : Kurt Weiske
Date : Thu Oct 02 2025 07:07 am

-=> Joseph Pereira wrote to All <=-

 JP> Trump wants to use the tariffs to force manufacturers to start making
 JP> products in the US again.

 JP> That's a pretty hopeless proposition.

 I don't see altruism in tarriffs. It's about power. Look at the soybean
 debacle - we put tarriffs on China, they stop buying soybeans from us.
 Farmers complain, and Trump floats providing relief, ostensibly from
 the tarriffs he's collecting from Americans to solve a problem he
 created. They'll probably thank Trump for saving their businesses and
 buy TRUMP 2028 hats from the Trump store.

 In the meantime, Argentina is becoming China's trading partner in soy
 beans, and we're sending Argentina $20 Billion to prop up their economy?

 Someone, make this make sense.



 JP> There are several reasons for this.

 JP> The main reason it won't work is that China isn't 30% or 60% cheaper.
 JP> If US manufacturers want to compete with China in the US, they'll have
 JP> to impose a 500% to 600% tariff.

 JP> US industrial products are literally 6 times more expensive if you want
 JP> to make them in the US.

 JP> This is due to the scale of production, which the US can't match. After
 JP> all, China produces for the world. The US wants to produce for the US.

 JP> Moreover, Americans want a wage that allows them to live in the US.
 JP> With very expensive American products, US wages will also have to rise.

 JP> And that's not even mentioning the fact that the US has to rebuild its
 JP> production from scratch. After all, it's practically gone. Are American
 JP> companies going to invest in something they know they can never compete
 JP> with globally? Suppose a future administration decides it's not worth
 JP> it, then you'll have invested billions for nothing. Who seriously wants
 JP> to take that risk?

 JP>  .
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