Trumped up hysteria over Trump's tariffs

[canceled.2021.2]

Is it really a fundamental opposition to tariffs or is it just another opportunity for the #NeverTrumpers and #TDS crowd to have yet another reason to kvetch?

Now for the record, in general I am opposed to tariffs. I think they are bad policy. But, I am also for rational discussion about issues


1) Bush 43 imposed a 30% steel tariff in 2002 that lasted for a year. I don't recall a trade war starting. Does anyone else?
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/05/us...l-imports.html

2) Ronald Reagan restricted steel imports in 1984 and imposed a 100% tariff on some Japanese electronic products. I don't recall a trade war starting. Does anyone else?
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/11/bu...el-quotas.html

3) Imported clothing to the US are subject to a 10-15% tariff.
http://www.rushfordreport.com/2002/6...kee_trader.htm

4) The United States pays more for sugar cane than the rest of the world. I don't recall a trade war starting over that. Does anyone else?
https://mjperry.blogspot.com/2012/01...icans-386.html

5) The liberal icon Bernie Sanders holds some pretty protectionist views, yet I don't hear any lefties scowling at him over it
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blo...-old-fashioned


As I said, this is not meant to be a defense of tariffs, it is meant to point out the utter hypocrisy of the #NeverTrumper and #TDS crowds. Personally, I believe we should do all we can to keep steel production and aluminum production in the United States as a strategic resource. How we do that is up for debate.

[Blackwater Lunchbreak]

Tariffs are good. Protectionism is good policy.