I recognize the need for American trade policy (and overall foreign policy for that matter) to be consistent from one Presidential administration to another. It seems unwise for there to be a radical change every few years subject to an election outcome.
BUT ... it also seems to be fundamentally absurd continuing forth with any trade policy which is detrimental to the American worker and our national security simply because of the perceived need for policy consistency.
Based upon what I am reading and viewing in the press, It is not surprising to me to witness the "gnashing of the teeth" and screams of "bloody murder" as a result of the President raising tariff barriers on steel and aluminum imports. Sure ... it is going to upset a good number of people, worldwide. The upset ones are most likely the ones who are benefiting from the current state of affairs. They of course will most certainly seek to penalize us (the American consumer) in order to vividly illustrate to us that any barriers are wrong and misguided.
Please make a note of this .... In spite of Europe's concerns that the US is punishing them with increased tariffs, THEY too are considering raising their barriers to counter the Chinese inundating their marketplace with cheap steel and aluminum. Kind of interesting.
The point the President is trying to make is that the loss of these businesses in the steel and aluminum industries poses a potential national security concern.
He may be righter than wrong.
BUT ... it also seems to be fundamentally absurd continuing forth with any trade policy which is detrimental to the American worker and our national security simply because of the perceived need for policy consistency.
Based upon what I am reading and viewing in the press, It is not surprising to me to witness the "gnashing of the teeth" and screams of "bloody murder" as a result of the President raising tariff barriers on steel and aluminum imports. Sure ... it is going to upset a good number of people, worldwide. The upset ones are most likely the ones who are benefiting from the current state of affairs. They of course will most certainly seek to penalize us (the American consumer) in order to vividly illustrate to us that any barriers are wrong and misguided.
Please make a note of this .... In spite of Europe's concerns that the US is punishing them with increased tariffs, THEY too are considering raising their barriers to counter the Chinese inundating their marketplace with cheap steel and aluminum. Kind of interesting.
The point the President is trying to make is that the loss of these businesses in the steel and aluminum industries poses a potential national security concern.
He may be righter than wrong.
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