Tariffs

Buy your cheap imported crap now because it's gonna be expensive imported crap next Christmas.

Naw.

These guys are not into history -- unless they wrote it.

“I agree that historically tariffs have not proven out overall. Maybe, just maybe.”

What makes you think they will be differs this time around? Because Trump is in charge?

Have you ever heard about history repeating itself?

“We've already seen how just the threat of tariffs has brought Mexico and Canada to the table.”

Do you think they came to the table to only listen and take the threat back home? They didn’t bring a list of their own plans?

“This time around things might just play out differently. Foreign products are eating us alive. I myself think it is time to put a giant barrier on that road. So let's see if it works. I know I will be watching over the next 4 years.”

Well watching the effects of tariffs may become your main form of entertainment. You’re not going to be able to afford much more than watching something. Obviously I’m joking.

But let’s look at this for just a minute. Let’s say Trump imposes these tariffs on day one. Let’s just look at one industry. Cars. It’s a perfect example for trade with Canada.

How long will it take for all the parts sourced to a companies in Ontario, to be sourced and produced by a companies in Ohio? This ain’t gonna happen overnight. It will take years and years to build facilities and staff them with workers.

Can the US consumer continue to afford a car with all these tariffs on it? Detroit is already in a little bit of a hurt.

Can US companies and their workers take the hit of retaliatory tariffs from Canada? Or do you not anticipate retaliatory tariffs? For every action there is a reaction. No?

You want to talk about oil next?

Global trade is no longer dangerous and expensive. This isn't fucking 1650 or even 1910.

Just shutting off the world and resorting to autarky is a recipe for disaster.

Well here we are a couple of months prior to the new admin. Trump has promised tariffs for a number of reasons. Will they work as he hopes? Will they work as some of us hope? Will it give opportunities to new business? Will it level they playing field to a degree with other countries? Will they have unexpected benefits? We've already seen how just the threat of tariffs has brought Mexico and Canada to the table. I agree that historically tariffs have not proven out overall. Maybe, just maybe. This time around things might just play out differently. Foreign products are eating us alive. I myself think it is time to put a giant barrier on that road. So let's see if it works. I know I will be watching over the next 4 years.