(11-01-2024, 07:08 AM)mikesez Wrote:

(10-31-2024, 11:34 PM)Jag149 Wrote: Couple things,

First, tariffs are neither good or bad, they are a weapon in the ongoing economic war between countries. Yes, it is a war, just not with bullets. The failure of our politicians to negotiate on our country's behalf has produced a huge imbalance. Some countries impose 5 times the tariffs on us that we do on them. (China for instance) This is a tax on our companies for access to their markets. On top of that there are way more restrictions on our companies then ever thought about here. In addition the EU has suddenly began using laws to fine our companies when they want money (Microsoft, Apple Google etc) Think of ways to fund their social programs....

Second the current election has many using this topic as a club to frighten people is all. In fact on CNBC the other day a very well know Wharton Professor kind of debunked a lot of what has been said. (much to the chagrin of the moderator, I believe he called it over an exaggeration)

Have you ever negotiated anything?

Of course I've negotiated things.  
Have you ever seen Blazing Saddles? How the new sheriff gets away from the mob?
Usually threatening to harm yourself isn't part of negotiation.

That's a gross oversimplification of what happens when tariffs are applied and generally the definition used by those who don't understand or have another agenda.  There are more parties involved than just the end consumer and if there are adequate substitute goods at the same or similar prices, the end consumer and the overall economy isn't harmed at all.  Your "harm yourself" comment might apply in a scenario where there is only one country providing a particular good which happens to be a staple with demand being inelastic and a tariff is applied to that good.  A tariff should probably never be applied in that situation.  In pretty much every other scenario, the tariff applies pressure that can be relieved in many other ways that are positive for the country applying the tariff. This is before factoring in the value of the U.S. Market versus the rest of the world. It is a commodity and should be treated as such when necessary when negotiating.

---