Replies

Larry Kudlow would know going in, being a free trader, that he would have an uphill battle getting such policies included in the President's economic agenda, but I think Kudlow has integrity and skill, and might make a good counterbalancing influence to help keep the President from adopting policies which might be too protectionist.

Larry Kudlow certainly wouldn't be a yes man, and it's a sign of a strong leader for President Trump to include such as a talented advisor someone who isn't dogmatically aligned with the President's economic thinking. I think Kudlow would be a good choice in that context.

I've always liked Larry Kudlow, and I'm intrigued that he's being considered, and if President Trump wants him for the job, I'm all for it. I trust the President's instincts far more than seeing any need for adherence to economic policy which is purely protectionist. There certainly need to be elements of free trade included when the trading partners are suitable—such flexibility is eminently preferable to submitting to rigid dogma.

As a consevative, I support Trump’s tariffs for the same reason I support killing (in self defense), warfare (when our national security is threatened), and taking poison (chemotherapy - if I’m diagnosed with advanced stage cancer).

In other words, tariffs are not a good thing in principle. They are not in and of themselves good for the economy. They are economic weapons, and as with all weapons, they are essentially destructive. One uses weapons to inflict pain damage - in order to win a fight.

If the fight is good and morally justified, then the use of the weapon is good and justified.

I say this because although we need tariffs as a weapon to fight a trade war, we also need wise economists who have a correct understanding of the dynamics that drive the economy. Part of his understanding is the knowledge that tariffs are ultimately a destructive force in the economy.

Because if in our war footing, we reject the economists who speak the truth about tariffs being a necessary evil, a last resort, then we will make the mistake of leaving destructive tariffs in place long after their “wartime” usefulness.

That would be exactly like the post war periods of our history where wartime economic advisers, arguments and economic policies lingered for decades after the war was over, poisoning our geopolitical thinking.

When defense contractor lobbyists hold sway over the government, the economic advisors who are in fashion in DC are the ones who claim that war is good for the economy, and who see every corner of the world as a national security interest that needs to be controlled.

The truth about the economy, the idea that maximum freedom is the only true nurturer of genersl prosperity, is forgot to, because the economists who poses that piece of wisdom are not in favor and do not have “the King’s ear”.

Conservatives should remember that for many years, we have been the ones saying tariffs are bad, and for good reason: they almost always are.

I support Trump’s tariffs but I’d sleep easier knowing he will listen to economic advisors who understand what tariffs really are - a weapon of last resort.