What America stands to lose in the trade wars

The Washington Post ^ | April 12, 2025 | Editorial Board

[E. Pluribus Unum]

After China reduced the number of American films that can be shown there as part of its retaliation to U.S. tariffs this week, President Donald Trump laughed it off. “I’ve heard of worse things,” he said. But his flippancy over China’s targeting of U.S. cultural exports — which are not only a source of income for Hollywood but also a projection of U.S. soft power — illustrates the myopia of Trump’s trade war.

This week, as investors raced away from the dollar (it’s down about 8 percent since Inauguration Day) and dumped U.S. Treasury bonds (10-year yields climbed above 4.5 percent), they offered a glimpse of the nightmarish world that awaits if the United States continues to retreat from global leadership after 80 years underwriting stability and prosperity.

Despite his 90-day pause on new tariffs against every country except China, the president continues to insist that the United States is getting “ripped off” by the rest of the world. He portrays partners in Europe and Asia as parasites who have been freeloading off America. “Our allies have taken advantage of us more than our enemies,” Trump has said.

As evidence, he offers the U.S. trade deficit, which reached $918 billion last year. He wildly exaggerates the U.S. trade deficit with China, claiming that it is three times as large as it is. He also says over and over that Europe doesn’t buy “anything” from America — when, in fact, the European Union purchased $649 billion from the United States last year.

But let us consider the fact that some unfairness in trade does exist, that it’s easier for other countries to sell things in the U.S. than it is for American companies to sell their goods in overseas markets...

[E. Pluribus Unum]

After China reduced the number of American films that can be shown there as part of its retaliation to U.S. tariffs this week, President Donald Trump laughed it off. “I’ve heard of worse things,” he said. But his flippancy over China’s targeting of U.S. cultural exports — which are not only a source of income for Hollywood but also a projection of U.S. soft power — illustrates the myopia of Trump’s trade war.

Be real.

China owns Hollywood. The movies it makes are ChiCom propaganda. The remake of Red Dawn was forced to substitute North Korea for China by them.

[nwrep]

The WaPo is a faint shadow of its once all-powerful grip over American news.

[Frank Drebin]

[metmom]

American films = “U.S. cultural exports”

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

[Jeff Vader]

“But let us consider the fact that some unfairness in trade does exist, that it’s easier for other countries to sell things in the U.S. than it is for American companies to sell their goods in overseas markets...”

this is great, they openly have to admit that T$ is right

[Qwapisking]

if tariffs are so bad why do ther countries do it?

[ABStrauss]

Another errant democrat pissed off about Tromp.

[silent majority rising]

WaPo Editorial Board? Seriously? The whole paper is an editorial. Not fit to wipe with.

[packagingguy]

For the same reason burning coal in China doesn’t contribute to climate change but burning coal in a Western country does.

[gibsonguy]

Wouldn’t it be nice if just once MSM could pause the Trump hatred long enough to give him a chance and see that maybe just maybe he is right and what he’s doing will help the country. Yeah I know rainbows and unicorns.

[Fledermaus]

I’ll respond to WaPo.

Nothing.

[Brian Griffin]

There was four years under Biden to solve American financial problems and eliminate waste in government.

Trump could have been spending every working day as President on one of his golf courses.

Unfortunately, the media turned a blind eye to Biden’s faults and America’s financial problems.

The problems are now Trump’s and he needs the help of Congress and others to deal with them.

“These tariffs adjust for the unfairness of ongoing international trade practices, balance our chronic goods trade deficit, provide an incentive for re-shoring production to the United States, and provide our foreign trading partners with an opportunity to rebalance their trade relationships with the United States.”

https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/04/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-declares-national-emergency-to-increase-our-competitive-edge-protect-our-sovereignty-and-strengthen-our-national-and-economic-security/

“first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”

FDR

[jimpick]

Who would want to watch a current American film anyway?

[Gil4]

So to retaliate against Trump, they target Hollywood? Maybe we can increase the tariff some more and get them to go after Starbucks, too.

[Zathras]

If we loose Hollywood, the WP and NYT its a good thing.

[marktwain]

China owns Hollywood. The movies it makes are ChiCom propaganda. The remake of Red Dawn was forced to substitute North Korea for China by them.

---

Exactly. Removing Chinese censors from our Movie industry is a huge plus for the United States.

[marktwain]

China owns Hollywood. The movies it makes are ChiCom propaganda. The remake of Red Dawn was forced to substitute North Korea for China by them.

---

Exactly. Removing Chinese censors from our Movie industry is a huge plus for the United States.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

We’ve got to commit to bringing the high paying jobs back here. I would hope that most here would consider having Veterans on the payroll instead of unemployed and homeless is worth paying a little extra for.