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Why a Flat Tariff on All U.S. Imports Would Work
activist post ^ | 2/27/2011 | ian fletcher

Posted on 06/24/2018 4:45:49 AM PDT by central_va

A flat tariff would trigger the relocation back to the U.S. of the right industries. For example, a 30% tariff would not cause the relocation of the apparel industry back to the U.S. from abroad. The difference between domestic and foreign labor costs is simply too large for a 30% premium to tip the balance in America’s favor in an industry based on semi-skilled labor. But a 30% tariff quite likely would cause the relocation of high-tech manufacturing like semiconductors. This is key, as these industries are precisely the ones we should want to relocate. These capital-intensive, knowledge-intensive industries support high wages and have bright technological futures.

(Excerpt) Read more at activistpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: flat; tariff; trumptrade
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This is from 2011 and although 7 years old it is still applicable today. I thought it would be good for Freepers to hear from BOTH sides of the free trade/tariff argument.
1 posted on 06/24/2018 4:45:49 AM PDT by central_va
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To: central_va

It is of course but an isolationist’s dream.

The year is 2018 not 1789


2 posted on 06/24/2018 4:49:38 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... In August our cities will be burning))
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To: bert

Is there gonna be at least one day you don’t act like a traitor?


3 posted on 06/24/2018 4:50:47 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: bert
It is of course but an isolationist’s dream.

Horse hockey.

4 posted on 06/24/2018 4:51:57 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: central_va

Claiming Patriotism is the last resort of a scoundrel


5 posted on 06/24/2018 4:53:58 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... In August our cities will be burning))
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To: bert

Since, according to you, there is an expiration date on all political/economic theory does that include the US Constitution? Read the damn thing an try to learn something.


6 posted on 06/24/2018 4:54:08 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: bert

I see you can’t even CLAIM you are patriot. At least hypocrisy is not one of your faults. You know you are a globalist traitor and damned proud of it!


7 posted on 06/24/2018 4:55:51 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: Robert DeLong

Apparently the rest of the world is isolationist according to the village globalist idiot Fuhrer Bert.


8 posted on 06/24/2018 4:57:09 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: Robert DeLong

How is it globalists equate protectionism with isolationism? Nobody is proposing an embargo just an import duty which our founders put that into the Constitution!


9 posted on 06/24/2018 5:00:52 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: central_va

I support tariffs on legally imported goods and services based on the number of illegal aliens deported to each country.


10 posted on 06/24/2018 5:01:56 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.)
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To: central_va

Because they are Republicans first & common sense thinkers, not. They gleen their knowledge by the party leaders and the Chamber of Commerce. 8>)


11 posted on 06/24/2018 5:09:50 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: Robert DeLong

They cram their failed economic Smithian theory down our throats but I’ll bet none of our Free Trader Freepres will even read the article. They are Zealots.


12 posted on 06/24/2018 5:12:25 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: bert

So it has been patriotic to lose jobs, skills, and resources by engaging in trade policies that promote that outcome? I think the founding fathers would wholeheartedly disagree with you. They too had an America first outlook. Not a globalist wet dream one.


13 posted on 06/24/2018 5:13:41 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: central_va

30% would help in clothing industry, but the basic issue is reciprocity. We charge them what they charge us. If 50%, the we charge 50%. If they drop to 0%, then we drop to 0%.


14 posted on 06/24/2018 5:26:00 AM PDT by xzins (Retired US Army chaplain. Support our troops by praying for eir victory.)
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To: Robert DeLong

Actually, since the beginning, infact before the beginning, Americans have been traders. American ships carried American goods and returned with goods the Colonists wanted and needed.

Jefferson went to war very early on to protect American global commerce.

The early tariffs were established mostly because there was little else to tax. They tried to tax whiskey and got a mini revolution as a reward.


15 posted on 06/24/2018 5:29:01 AM PDT by bert ((K.E. N.P. N.C. +12 ..... In August our cities will be burning))
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To: central_va
A flat tariff would trigger the relocation back to the U.S. of the right industries. For example, a 30% tariff would not cause the relocation of the apparel industry back to the U.S. from abroad.

So you are going to increase the cost of items like apparel, consumer electronics, furniture, oil, food, and other items by 30% knowing that the tax will do nothing to bring those jobs back to the U.S.?

A flat tariff is also more ideologically palatable than most other tariff solutions.

That's like saying an income tax on the rich is more ideologically palatable than other income tax solutions. It may be true in some camps but a tax increase is still a tax increase.

I thought it would be good for Freepers to hear from BOTH sides of the free trade/tariff argument.

LOL! You're not interested in both sides of the argument, only your own.

16 posted on 06/24/2018 5:29:47 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
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To: central_va
I've been calling for a flat tariff for years. I see it mainly as a revenue source first, with the protective aspect for U.S. industries an added benefit.

The one "flaw" I see is that it probably will not be nearly as effective in attracting and keeping industries here in the U.S. as a lot of proponents might think.

17 posted on 06/24/2018 5:33:33 AM PDT by Alberta's Child ("I saw a werewolf drinking a pina colada at Trader Vic's.")
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To: DoodleDawg
knowing that the tax will do nothing to bring those jobs back to the U.S.?

Wow, how economically stupid you are. Of course a tariff would raise revenue and increase manufacturing employment BECAUSE THE OPPOSITE IS ALSO TRUE! AND ITS WHY EVERY OTHER COUNTRY DOES IT.

That's like saying an income tax on the rich is more ideologically palatable than other income tax solutions. It may be true in some camps but a tax increase is still a tax increase.

No its not. Tariffs and income taxes are polar opposites. Tariffs are regressive. As such every Conservative should be wildly in favor of them.

18 posted on 06/24/2018 5:35:58 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: Alberta's Child
The one "flaw" I see is that it probably will not be nearly as effective in attracting and keeping industries here in the U.S. as a lot of proponents might think.

Since the oppose is very effective at strip mining industry away from the USA, you might rethink that.

19 posted on 06/24/2018 5:37:35 AM PDT by central_va (I won't be reconstructed and I do not give a damn)
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To: xzins
If they drop to 0%, then we drop to 0%.

German car manufacturers are pushing for a zero tariff on U.S. vehicles imported into the Europe in exchange for a zero tariff for foreign cars imported into the U.S. I assume you would be in favor of that?

The problem with that being that for U.S. auto manufacturers the most profitable business lines are small trucks, vans, and SUVs. Ford and GM are talking about ending some car lines because the profit margin in cars is so low. They make the bulk of their profits off pickups, vans, Escapes and the like. Of course, one of the reasons why they're so profitable is the 25% tariff on imported small trucks and SUVs. Take that away and the Big 3 profits take a major hit. How do you think they'll react to that?

20 posted on 06/24/2018 5:37:48 AM PDT by DoodleDawg
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