Bush’s Boudoir Tax. Tariffs on Chinese bras and robes are a bad fit for the GOP.

NRO ^ | November 21, 2003, 9:02 a.m. | John Hood

[.cnI redruM]

Read my lips, "NO NEW TAXES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[glock rocks]

Bra tax?

oh, great, Karl... this'll play well on cbs. pull yer head out. sheesh.

[harpseal]

Excuse me these tariffs are a good move by President Bush they will benefit the USA and help us keep a Republican Congress and maybe get judicial nominees approved. This article is a bunch of crap in that we are already in a trade war with China except we are being encouraged nby Free Traitors to unilaterally disarm and surrender.

[DustyMoment]

"Washington conservatives" need to get out more. Job losses are a big priority, especially in light of the fact that, with enough job losses, you have an economy that is unable to sustain current levels of purchasing and government services and, eventually, will be on the express down elevator.

Trading job losses to satisfy the lobbyists for one industry or another for immediate gratification that, if not contained at some point, will bring big penalties, is bad public policy.

[harpseal]

ping on or off let me know

[harpseal]

ping on or off let me know

[Phantom Lord]

Could you please point out to me the American Bra Manufacturers that are in need of protection from Chinese made bras?

[.cnI redruM]

Yeah, but you're a 'Free Traitor' if you don't want to tariff everything, NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[.cnI redruM]

Where do you get off calling me a 'free traitor' get your filthy, greedy, tax-mongering hand out of my wallet now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[adam_az]

Please explain your reading of what will happen to the suppply and demand curves as a result of this policy change, and what will happen to market equalibrum price.

Also, given that China isn't the only country we import textiles from which has lower production costs than the US, how will this protect US industry?

If those questions are too tough, can you explain by what mechanism you expect this tariff will help US industry, and what do you mean precisely by help?

If you were to explain that, your position would make sense.

Merely demagoging, name calling, and being generally shouty isn't explaining anything. It's an undignified leftist tactic.

[BobS]

No pictures?

[pattycake]

I buy nothing from China, especially bras, it's all junk anyway...

[gawd]

As with the previous and wrong-headed tariffs on steel, the new quotas on Chinese textiles and apparel will do far more harm than good. By artificially limiting the supply of bras, gowns, and knit products, they will increase shortages and boost prices for consumers in the short run (thus the term "boudoir tax").

The tariffs will have no practical value in the long run, since other foreign producers not subject to the Chinese quota will scramble to fill the gap left by missing Chinese goods.

worth repeating...

[.cnI redruM]

They can't afford underwear because the tariffs have made it too expensive. The Fruit of The Loom Guy is saddned, deeply saddened.

[.cnI redruM]

Tariffs will take the undershirt right off your back.

[meadsjn]

...we are already in a trade war with China except we are being encouraged nby Free Traitors to unilaterally disarm and surrender.

It has looked that way for at least the last five years. What might be more effective and invite less political sniping is an across-the-board embargo on everything from Communist China.

[maui_hawaii]

Its not a tax. No problem there.

I am not saying there shouldn't be, but this isn't one.

[adam_az]

The end result is that it raises prices, so it's an invisible tax.

This is the result of cry to "do something" about the trade imbalance with China, but the imbalance is due to more structural problems than this will address.

In fact, the end result is that this will rasie prices, which is exactly what the garment industry wants. Note: That's negative to the consumer, who pays higher prices.

If Bush put pressure on China to end pegging their currency to the dollar, that would help. This won't. I only hope he intends to use this as leverage to that end.

[maui_hawaii]

Its kind of strange 1. how they calculate the limitations. 2. How people consider it a tax.

This is a quota.

Here is how it works.

Lets say in 2001 China exported $15 million worth of bras to our (example) $250 million dollar market.

In 2002, they exported $20 million.

In 2003 they exported $30 million.

Each year there was a % increase. In 2003 it was a 50% increase in these imports. (Actually it was MORE than 50%).

Therefore, the Bush Administration limited growth to 7.5% for one year.

There are no taxes involved.

[maui_hawaii]

Who says its going to raise prices? First I question that assumption.

the imbalance is due to more structural problems than this will address.

I agree with that...but this is a good move none the less. Hopefully they are tackling those other issues of imbalance too...

I can discuss this all day, but I have to check out for now and head to the office...