- 30 Nov 2019 15:21
#15051848
To a farmer, maybe, but not to everyone else. The idea that "all tariffs are bad" simply isn't true. There are always winners and losers when tariffs are levied (the company I work for is getting helped out by the tariffs for example). The funny thing about America is that, I remember a time in the 90s where leftists were against globalization and free trade. Now we have a president that is placing what is arguably anti-free trade policies in place, and these same people don't like it. Of course, it's because this is about politics, and not principles. This is one rare area where I side with TRumpsters.
Anyway, with that said. Personally, I don't think the US should be putting up tariffs against our neighbors (Mexico). We should be fostering the absolute best relations with our neighbors. Because they are our neighbors, but also because it's better for the environment to trade more with your neighbors.
With respect to China tariffs, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, the US (and west) in general does have a bone to pick with respect to things like IP theft (seen it with my own eyes many times), on the other hand, I don't believe there's really anything anyone can do to stop that so why rock the boat with tariffs? At the same time, at least according to business news sites I read. The tariffs have sped up the process of western companies and governments decoupling their supply chains from China, and also Chinese companies and the government decoupling their supply chains from the west. What I'm going to say next, is probably an over-speculation, but if we have this decoupling completely happen, it means either side will be more happy to go to war with each other since there are no dependencies economically. I'm a firm believer in the idea that one of the main things that prevents war, is economic interdependence. Take that away, and ...
A side note:
Seems like China's hegemonic ambitions are becoming far more apparent to the general global populace than in decades past. Governments and connected/intellectuals/educated people have known this for decades, but it's becoming more understood by "regular" people. Global distrust of the Chinese is on the rise (see the Philippines, rejecting Chinese "help" to build island, see the shenanigans with Sri Lanka and the Maldives, etc. etc.). Given this, it's not going to be business as usual going forward after Trump is out and the tariffs are lifted. This is a permanent fundamental change in how the rest of the world interacts with China. Who the fuck knows where all of this is going?
10-ish years ago, I recall having lots of lunch table conversations about China's future ambitions. Especially their behavior around IP theft (I work in the tech industry). I recall us always saying "Right now, it seems like no one really cares cause it's not a real problem yet. At some point, somethings gotta give." Kind of feels like we're getting closer to that point where "something will give". I don't know what the something is yet.
late wrote:1) Tariffs are tariffs are tariffs. Ask a farmer.
To a farmer, maybe, but not to everyone else. The idea that "all tariffs are bad" simply isn't true. There are always winners and losers when tariffs are levied (the company I work for is getting helped out by the tariffs for example). The funny thing about America is that, I remember a time in the 90s where leftists were against globalization and free trade. Now we have a president that is placing what is arguably anti-free trade policies in place, and these same people don't like it. Of course, it's because this is about politics, and not principles. This is one rare area where I side with TRumpsters.
Anyway, with that said. Personally, I don't think the US should be putting up tariffs against our neighbors (Mexico). We should be fostering the absolute best relations with our neighbors. Because they are our neighbors, but also because it's better for the environment to trade more with your neighbors.
With respect to China tariffs, I have mixed feelings. On one hand, the US (and west) in general does have a bone to pick with respect to things like IP theft (seen it with my own eyes many times), on the other hand, I don't believe there's really anything anyone can do to stop that so why rock the boat with tariffs? At the same time, at least according to business news sites I read. The tariffs have sped up the process of western companies and governments decoupling their supply chains from China, and also Chinese companies and the government decoupling their supply chains from the west. What I'm going to say next, is probably an over-speculation, but if we have this decoupling completely happen, it means either side will be more happy to go to war with each other since there are no dependencies economically. I'm a firm believer in the idea that one of the main things that prevents war, is economic interdependence. Take that away, and ...
A side note:
Seems like China's hegemonic ambitions are becoming far more apparent to the general global populace than in decades past. Governments and connected/intellectuals/educated people have known this for decades, but it's becoming more understood by "regular" people. Global distrust of the Chinese is on the rise (see the Philippines, rejecting Chinese "help" to build island, see the shenanigans with Sri Lanka and the Maldives, etc. etc.). Given this, it's not going to be business as usual going forward after Trump is out and the tariffs are lifted. This is a permanent fundamental change in how the rest of the world interacts with China. Who the fuck knows where all of this is going?
10-ish years ago, I recall having lots of lunch table conversations about China's future ambitions. Especially their behavior around IP theft (I work in the tech industry). I recall us always saying "Right now, it seems like no one really cares cause it's not a real problem yet. At some point, somethings gotta give." Kind of feels like we're getting closer to that point where "something will give". I don't know what the something is yet.
I can think of 11780 reasons Trump shouldn't be president ever again.