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The Real Marty · 01-29-2018, 09:38 AM

(01-29-2018, 07:27 AM)jj82284 Wrote:
(01-29-2018, 06:50 AM)EricC85 Wrote: Again by that argument we need to place tariffs on ALL goods coming from China, they don't just subsidies solar panels and washer machines. That's how you know this is crony capitalism, someone is getting their pocket lined. It's a different conversation if the administration makes the same case you just made and says imported goods from these communist nations are subject to tariffs. That's not what happened and it's not what the administration is proposing at all. They've cherry picked a few markets and said there's an unfair advantage in these specific industries so as the state we are going to level the playing field. That's not free market capitalism.

See the above, you can try and redefine the actions to make it feel more conservative and protectionist but this is crony capitalism on display.

European quality, you joke right? I guess European steel is more stylish than American steel. Oh wait I forgot how great those VW's are.

If there was every a post that come's off as European arrogance and snobbish yours was it congrats mate!

you're absolutely right, it's not free market capitalism. That is the challenge when operating with International free trade. You can expose your domestic Markets to products that have been made artificially cheap by unfair, dishonest or underhanded practices of a foreign state.

As for targeted Tariffs: Currency Manipulation, Administrative barriers, Subsidies, Tariffs etc. on behalf of the importing country can cause an unfair advantage. In some cases this can cut into the profit margin of our domestic producers, in some cases that can create an environment where the simple production COST of the domestic producer is greater than the retail price of the imported Goods. That's the case for these specific trade actions. If you dispute the effect of foreign subsidies on these particular sectors then that would be grounds for criticism, but viewing any state action out of hand as impure is an idealogical argument not a factual one.

I'm still baffled by the idea that somehow it would be better, for me or for the economy as a whole, if things cost more.

You can call it whatever you want- currency manipulation, subsidies, whatever. I call it a discount. I don't see how that's a bad thing. Why should I want imported goods to cost more? If I pay less for certain things, I have more money left over to buy other things. What's the problem?