Trump's Tariffs

Given Trump is now going for tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, can we now call him anti-business?

 

No, it makes him pro American business and pro-American workers.

 

What economic analysis are you basing that on? When did you decide to reject comparative advantage?

 

But tariffs might also have negative repercussions on American businesses and their workers that rely on exporting some of their production.

You maybe could call Trump an American progressive populist, like Bernie Sanders.

 

There's no comparison. Sanders applied economic rationality. That is alien to Trump. Trump is simply applying nationalism, despite the economic irrationality that it necessarily involves.

 

Pro indicates intent. If a police officer accidently arrests an innocent or unintentionally let a criminal go is he suddenly pro-crime?

 

The policeman operates under uncertainty. We don't have that here. We know that tariffs like this harm overall economic activity.

 

Trump seems to disagree with their assessment.

 

Trump doesn't do economic rationality. He merely tries to benefit from the irrationality of nationalism.

There are few reasons for protectionism. They can't even be arsed to look righteous on this one. They whine about China when Chinese import steel is relatively low.

 

Regardless of the labels, both want to further restrict free trade through trade agreements and tariffs. Their motives are irrelevant, the result to the economy is the same.

 

Can you refer to a Sanders policy which is alien to economics of trade? We know Trump is committed to irrationality

 

I never did like homework, and I have no interest in a personality debate. If you have some sound economic reasons why tariffs imposed by Trump are more irrational than tariffs that may have been imposed by Bernie Sanders please post. I will be happy to read it.

 

i.e. you made comment without evidence.

This isn't cunning! Sanders has not imposed any tariffs. Trump has. Trump's tariffs are, without doubt, irrational in economic terms. Try and present a relevant argument.

 

nope, its just a way to seek fairness in trade or to open markets to American goods that heretofore have been closed. Now do you understand?

 

You continue to show zero understanding of basic economics. Why does a tariff that harms the likes of Canada fit any criteria of reaction to unfair trade?

 

all countries are free to seek exemptions and negotiate new trade deals. Now do you understand the art of the deal?

 

Please don't hide. Its pathetic. You have a simple question to answer: "Why does a tariff that harms the likes of Canada fit any criteria of reaction to unfair trade?"

 

a threat of a tariff is a way to open negotiations. Everybody knows the free market arguments. Trump is 3 steps ahead of you. Smith said, if the baker starts a war with the tailor he then has to make his own clothes

 

This is childish to the extreme. There is no 'open negotiations' from introduction of tariff. There is only a shift away from economic rationality.
<Mod Edit>

 

what's irrational about trying to open markets as much as ours are open?? Like I said, 3 steps ahead of you. I do not understand pulling out of TPP though. Do you?

 

Chortle, chortle! Open up markets by im[posing tariffs? You're clearly ignorant of even the basics of economics

 

we have to wait and see the end game. Trump is 3 steps ahead of you.

 

This isn't even an attempt at credible comment. You made the ludicrous claim that imposing tariffs could open up markets. You clearly have no undertanding of economics

 

that's the plan obviously. How would you suggest Trump go about it?

 

Please don't fib over my comments. I have stated the obvious: Trump has not adopted economic rational policies and you have celebrated his irrationality.