[Disestablishmentarian]

Tariffs are absolutely necessary to end the unsustainable trade deficits.

Hopefully, after a few years of tax cuts and elimination of regulations, they can be mostly removed again.

Things change. The U.S. built up its manufacturing under the protection of tariffs — then it was to our advantage to push for free trade. NOW IT IS CHINA and others who have built up manufacturing. FREE TRADE HURTS AMERICA AT THE PRESENT TIME.

Do not get locked into what Reagan said. He had bigger fish to fry (i.e., the Evil Empire; U.S. tax code) . . . and besides, whatever his rhetoric, he knew how to use the THREAT of TRADE WARS to benefit America.

If you do not believe me, do some research on the PLAZA ACCORD, a massive take-down of Japan under threat of Trade War that occurred on Reagan’s watch, in 1985.

I expect to see a 2017 “Plaza Accord” against China. The situation is almost identical to dynamic with Japan in the 1980s.

[railroader]

Do not get locked into what Reagan said. He had bigger fish to fry (i.e., the Evil Empire; U.S. tax code) . . . and besides, whatever his rhetoric, he knew how to use the THREAT of TRADE WARS to benefit America.

If you do not believe me, do some research on the PLAZA ACCORD, a massive take-down of Japan under threat of Trade War that occurred on Reagan’s watch, in 1985.

I expect to see a 2017 “Plaza Accord” against China. The situation is almost identical to dynamic with Japan in the 1980s.

I concur. My locale (Peoria, Illinois) had been in a sort of depression since late 1981 (and really 1979) thanks to the bottom falling out after years of inflation, Jimmy Carter and the Federal Reserve massively hiking interest rates.

About a year after the Plaza Accord, major local employers (Caterpillar, Keystone Steel & Wire, Dresser Industries, etc.) were experiencing a sudden surge in business, and laid off workers were being recalled. This lasted until about 1989 or 1990 when the affects of higher interest rates began slowing the economy.