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The U.S. placed a +266% tariff on Chinese imports of cold roll steel. This is because China "overproduces" things, making them cheaper on the global market.
I make things out of materials like cold roll steel. I then sell these things for a profit. This is how I make my living, pay for my food/shelter, save money to invest for retirement, pay taxes, etc.
How does a 266% tariff help me, or anyone like me? How does this help any workers, besides the very few still employed in steel mills around the country?
By and large, the only people this will protect are the people at the very top who depend on dividends and profits from corporations like US steel. Steel workers will continue to see employment opportunities vanish, as technology displaces them. We will all pay for this with exorbitantly high prices, making us less competitive and miserable. Our gubmint at work.
Can anyone explain how such a tariff will make America more competitive?
Stop whining and go buy cheap local cold roll steel.
No. This is a free country. I can purchase my steel from where ever I choose. Producers do not have to be coerced into fattening the coffers of a bunch of greedy, whinny, self serving CEO's than cannot compete worth a damn. Nor can I be forced to enrich the already outrageously rich, coddled and well protected investor/non producer class.
This tariff is a blatant violation of the free market, and motivates me to shop around even more for savings.
No. This is a free country. I can purchase my steel from where ever I choose. Producers do not have to be coerced into fattening the coffers of a bunch of greedy, whinny, self serving CEO's than cannot compete worth a damn. Nor can I be forced to enrich the already outrageously rich, coddled and well protected investor/non producer class.
This tariff is a blatant violation of the free market, and motivates me to shop around even more for savings.
Excuse me andywire but you sound awfully naive.
I am assuming you are a business owner.
So seriously you couldn't see this coming??
Trade wars are written on the wall.
China is producing like 50% to 60% of steel in the world.
So how can anybody compete with that
Can you compete with your Chinese counterparts??
Also steel production is a national security issue.
I'm glad government finally took a step
You should look for other options.
I'm sorry it'll hurt your business but hopefully you'll recover.
China is producing like 50% to 60% of steel in the world.
So how can anybody compete with that
Can you compete with your Chinese counterparts??
Also steel production is a national security issue.
I'm glad government finally took a step
You should look for other options.
I'm sorry it'll hurt your business but hopefully you'll recover.
China is a big problem.
Who created China and made them what they are today? U.S. trade policy, as written by gubmint and big biz. This is their problem to deal with. Make them deal with it directly. Don't let them throw this problem on the backs of small biz, the U.S. consumer, and ultimately, 95% of Americans/the "little people". America needs to be more competitive. Not less.
Trade wars are pointless, unnecessary, and only harm global markets in the long run. Everyone will pay more, and the rich will get richer while the gubmint collects a new tax. Demand will suffer however, and it could be just the ticket to another recession. Have fun paying more for everything you buy, while earning less and having less economic freedom.
U.S. steel production capacity is always needed. There are ways to protect that production capacity. Harming everyone else is not one of them. This will only serve short term objectives, at the expense of future potential growth and competitive advantage.
Unfortunately there is little 'free' trade as agreements made by governments are heavily influenced by special interests on all sides. So imbalances become obvious and then in the name of 'fair' trade more agreements are made.
Although there will be issues maybe the best answer is true free trade where no restrictions on trade are imposed anywhere. But as we all know bureaucrats spend more time taking care of themselves, supporters, and friends than all citizens so don't expect real reform.
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