Posted on 03/06/2018 7:48:47 AM PST by Kaslin
Why? Because they LOVE communist China and ILLEGAL aliens and “cheap labor” more than they love America and American CITIZENS! It’s as simple as that.
No doubt some of these costs could and should be eliminated, but others should not. For instance, you don't have to be a hippie tree-hugger to recognize that dumping industrial waste raw into our rivers or letting it seep into our groundwater isn't a good idea. The fact that our industries (unlike those of many developing nations) have to prevent this creates an additional cost to production. Imposing tariffs on foreign manufacturing simply recognizes these realities and levels the competitive playing field.
This was especially absurd, considering that Buchanan opposed most post Cold War interventions abroad - including both Iraq wars and Bosnia/Kosovo. His opponents in both parties were the ones pushing for those wars, so they, not he were the radical war mongers
Because mercantilism is the tool of tyrants? Are you not denying the right for free citizens to purchase their wares abroad if they are so inclined? Why should the government put restrictions on economic freedom? And if government interference is a good thing, where are the limits? Who decides what a fare rate of tariff is? Sounds like collectivism to me.
So if protectionism was the fare of Republicans, it doesn’t mean it is the choice of free loving of men.
I think it is sad conservatives are embracing protectionism. So how far should protectionism extend? Between states? Between cities? And just like I would ask minimum wage advocates, what social science tells us where the limit is? Who decides and how? Why not just ban foreign products?
I find myself in this unique position where I am willing to question the absolutism of free trade, especially in regards in China. But am also alarmed of the massive embrace of mercantilism now among the right. I grew up hating mercantilism seeing it as Britain’s extension of empire against the interests of its colonies. It certainly enriched those close to the politicians in industry but made the average Brit poorer as now they could buy less with the same dollar.
I know little about American tariff history, so maybe I need to brush up on that. Were America’s historical tariffs punitive or just revenue drive?
“I think it is sad conservatives are embracing protectionism. So how far should protectionism extend? Between states? Between cities? And just like I would ask minimum wage advocates, what social science tells us where the limit is? Who decides and how? Why not just ban foreign products?”
Mercantilism lost out to Smithsonian Free Trade over the last 200 years, as the dominant philosophy.
However, Mercantilism still dominates the world trading system and Smithsonian Free Trade was never achieved. It’s never been able to mature as the mercantilists always pick the participating countries bare.
The eternal search for Free Trade is like the eternal search for World Peace. It’s a fine objective.
In the mean time, those who wish to survive need to raise an army.
The United States cannot be the only nation-state, the largest market in the world, with a totally open market free of entry fees. We simply MUST protect ourselves.
Tariffs played many roles in US history. They were indeed the principal source of Federal revenue during roughly the first half of US history. However, they weren't in place solely as a source of revenue. They were introduced so that America's up and coming industries would not be undersold and ultimately bankrupted by cheaper manufacturing by well-established British and European factories. A strong case can be made that the US would have taken much longer to become an industrial power if it weren't for protective tariffs during the 19th century.
You've probably heard the term "the American System" used to refer to the economic and industrial policies of the Federalists (which were carried on by 19th and early 20th century Republicans). Donald Trump's advocacy of tariffs and increased spending on infrastructure makes him an heir to this political tradition.
Yes, I can’t disagree with that, except to say there are limits to what can be achieved. With China though I say the US should do what it needs to protect from their numerous sins, from using prison labour to intellectual theft.
Then it comes down to who do respect and agree with. The Federalists (whom were pro-Britain, and maybe connected to much to big banking interests) or the Anti-Federalists like Jefferson (who were pro-France and I must agree too invested in a agricultural vision for America).
Personally, I am not a fan of Alexander Hamilton, and have a hard time not liking Jefferson, though think his pro-France stance was a little misplaced.
1. The Chinese artificially peg their currency to the dollar at 35-40% below market value. That’s an Artificial 35-40% advantage before one even examines IP theft, slave labor and a total lack of environmental controls. Not to mention their tariffs.
2. The EU has tariffs on practically ever American product. Additionally, they impose a 19% VAT on all imports, and free their own exports of any VAT at all. That’s an Artificial 38% advantage before tariffs are even considered.
For us to remain disarmed in the face of this onslaught is not only suicide, it’s STUPID.
Well crap I didn’t know about the 19% VAT on imports. I knew the Euros had huge subsidies covering agriculture, maybe twice that of the US, which is a form of protection of its own. As for the Chinese that peg must have some massive economic cost for them. The currency arguments I find a little complex, because the US has in the past held some sort of unofficial currency policy which they used monetary manipulation to enforce. So if they wanted strong dollars the US government bought up US dollars. If the policy was weak dollars, the US government sold. I guess the question being why would the US engage in strong dollar policy in light of a massive Chinese discount? Could they not fight the peg by pushing the US dollar lower?
“Could they not fight the peg by pushing the US dollar lower?”
While that has some chance of driving inflation in China, the peg would remain and make Chinese exports even cheaper to the rest of world.
All the while destroying savers in the US.
True and I’m now thinking the US Dollar actually is only tradable among other floating currencies like the Euro, Canadian Dollar, the Swiss Franc, ect... China as you said would just peg at whatever flat percent they deem prudent.
Most important will get a sales tax applied when the goods are sold . If you’re the importer your profits will get taxed. If you import raw materials or intermediate goods those will taxed when sold and the income generated will be taxed. All of the people working in jobs that utilize imports, such as appliance makers who import steel, are taxed.
I think we are taxed enough. We should have zero production based taxes which is personal and business income taxes. We should have a very low transaction tax. Everytime a dollar changes hands it should be very very very slightly taxed. This would like a VAT but applied to everything and everyone and at every instance.
We don’t need huge tariffs to protect us from dum bass governemt policies. We just need to get rid of the dum bass policy makers.
Historically they were both protectionist and a source of revenue. It's only been in the 20th century on that they became punitive.
If I knew it was going to be a Brigadeer thread I would have seen if we could get Arator back...
“If I knew it was going to be a Brigadeer thread I would have seen if we could get Arator back...”
I don’t know what that means.
Why would you do a direct tax on your citizens and not do the indirect tax? The tax income has to exist. Why tax US citizens up to 43%, US businesses at 21% and foreign businesses at 1%?
The income must exist? No. It needs to go away. The government only gets it money from one place me and you. With an indirect tax all you are doing is changing the collection point and making it opaque and inefficient.
A tax code should raise revenue to fund the constitutional duties of the government. Not promote favored activity and promote and favored industries.
If a foreign company is located here they pay taxes just like all companies.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.