Posted on 04/06/2025 5:18:25 AM PDT by econjack
Levin shreds the Democrat rhetoric of Trump's policies and explains what Trump is really doing.
Levin has no principles. I can remember his crazy TDS rants against Trump’s plan for tariffs way back in 2016.
I don’t expect to watch a half hour video but I do have some questions.
First: I totally support Trump’s tariffs. No matter how you slice it, I think they will help the US.
Trump has said that he could conceivably end the IRS and just fund the country through tariffs (the old fashioned way). That would be great, but if other countries cancel their tariffs, and then we cancel our tariffs, then there are no tariffs, so we can’t fund our country through tariffs, right?
Also, Trump would like manufacturing to return to the USA, which would be awesome. With tariffs in place, it would make sense to produce goods here rather than in other countries, leading to good jobs and good wages for Americans. That would be great, but if other countries cancel their tariffs, and then we cancel our tariffs, then there are no tariffs, so we wouldn’t necessarily re-shore manufacturing to America, right?
so we wouldn’t necessarily re-shore manufacturing to America, right?
That is I believe the point. Reducing tariffs to provide export markets is desirable
We have neither the capital or human resources to “reshore” manufacturing. America is always looking forward, not backward. America will make new, and presently unknown products to be sold to all the world. We are innovators
The key to your position is what happens if other countries cancel their tariffs against US imports. It that happens, essentially you have free trade. Without that “slanted” playing field, I think American business can compete with any country in the world.
On the other side, if Trump did abolish the IRS, then there’s no revenue source. My guess is that the IRS is not going away and I don’t think even Trump sees that happening. However, if taxes are cut for all income groups, demand will increase, fueling investment in real plant and equipment leading to economic growth and job creation.
I would love to see a flat tax of 17% for both individuals and business. There would be only one deduction (e.g., $10,000 for each family member). You could file your tax return on a postcard. Not only would internal investment explode, foreign investment in the US would, too.
Perhaps now he can see what the Master Plan is and he’s onboard. Most people don’t understand what’s going on. Another good discussion (and shorter) is at:
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/heres-what-trump-really-up-high-stakes-tariff-gambit
Amazing that any, here, could possibly be puzzled by POTUS’ America First/Great Again tariffs!
But, I see that a handful actually are.
Good for you, for trying to help them out, by posting Levin’s explanation.
Thank you
Bookmarked
From your linked article ... hopefully, the naysayers, here, will soon understand the value of what Pres Trump is doing for our future ...
... What is actually in play here is a high-stakes effort to build up leverage and resources to manage America’s debt, reset its industrial base, and renegotiate its standing in the global order.
And it all begins with a problem most people have not been told enough about.
In 2025, the U.S. government must refinance $9.2 trillion in maturing debt. Some $6.5 trillion of that comes due by June. That is not a typo—that is a debt wall the size of a small continent.
Now, here is the math: According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, each basis-point (one one-hundredth of a percent) drop in interest rates saves the government roughly $1 billion per year. Since the announcement of tariffs on April 2, 10-year Treasury yields have fallen from 4.2 percent to 3.9 percent—a 30 basis point drop. If that holds, it translates to $30 billion in savings....
... These tariffs do not exist in a vacuum. They are being deployed alongside a deliberate reshaping of global alliances. The U.S. is quietly distancing itself from NATO, recalibrating ties with Europe, and opening previously frozen diplomatic channels with the Gulf nations and Russia.
Why? Because the post-Cold War trade order no longer serves U.S. interests. It enabled deficits, offshoring, and strategic dependency. Now, tariffs become leverage. Allies who align with U.S. priorities receive relief; others face higher costs.
China, naturally, is the central player. For years, economists have argued that its artificially weak currency and industrial overcapacity have distorted global trade. Tariffs are one way to force a reckoning—and potentially, a revaluation of the yuan.
Other countries will not be spared. Europe could be asked for terms on Ukraine. India may be pressured for deep tariff cuts. Canada and Mexico will likely face demands related to fentanyl and border enforcement.
This is not random. It is trade policy as a means to force countries to the negotiating table.
Domestically, the political logic is equally clear. The sectors most likely to benefit—steel, automobiles, textiles—are concentrated in battleground states. The administration is betting that visible wins in those regions will outweigh short-term pain in sectors dependent on cheap imports.
Well stated.
I will argue that although the tariffs are applied world wide, there might be as few as 10 or less that really matter. These include India, the EU, Canada, Mexico, the UK, Japan and South Korea.
I left off China because China is a special case with different rules and objectives.
In my view a really important task is to destroy the far left governments of the UK and Canada and create an anglo trading block in opposition to the stagnating EU. It is very important that trade problems with Canada and the UK do not adversely affect the alliance.
Canada can happen. I fear the UK is lost forever with no chance of recovery
So disappointing to come to FR and see so many here that fil to see why Smoot-Hawley is not what caused the depression, it was too little too late and the money tightening policy that took us into a full blown depression.
Everyone needs to chill and stand tall with Trump.
“””Levin has no principles. I can remember his crazy TDS rants against Trump’s plan for tariffs way back in 2016.”””
This has to be one of the most closed-minded statements here on Free Republic. You don’t think someone can change their mind. What is the point of an education if you can’t change your view? Our society benefits from the evolution of thinking. With out it nothing new comes about.
I myself didn’t want Trump when he first came out. I wanted Cruz and voted for him in the primary. I was pissed off at Free Republic because they banned me from posting for a while. Many here had the same done to them. But I have since changed my view.
You need to open your eyes to the fact people change.
I can’t take 1 minute of listening to his voice, much less 1/2 Hour.
Thx, but I’ll pass.
And what would be the state of the Republic without former Democrats Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Elon Musk ... ?
Problem for many of us is, this will probably take ten years, or so, to become full-fledged reality.
While I understand the need to do something to reduce the debt, most of us paying the freight won’t be around much longer than that.
It’s a tough situation.
I’m not sensing a 6 month, 2 year, or even 5 year recovery of the retraction in the markets that have occurred the past few days. Hope I’m wrong.
“leading to good jobs and good wages for Americans.”
You forgot higher prices, which would negate the “good wages”.
Levin no principles
He supported Cruz in 2016 when he thought Trumps running was a joke but switched to TRUMP later that election when it was apparent he was serious. You are about 9 years behind events.
He does like to sell books though...
CPAs and lawyers would fight against a simplified tax return. Of course lawyers will fight against anything if you pay them. They’re making millions now fighting the Trump administration.
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