Why Trump's Tariffs Won't Cost Consumers a Nickel

Real Clear Politics ^ | 09/25/2018 | Curtis Ellis

[MaxistheBest]

Past administrations have called out China for violating the internationally agreed-upon rules of trade for decades. After countless high-level talks, admonitions and appeals, China did nothing to change its cheating ways. President Trump has dispensed with the talk and taken action, slapping tariffs on billions of dollars of goods China exports to the United States at artificially low prices.

Naysayers predicted the president’s tariffs would tank the stock market and drag down the economy. But the Dow is posting record gains, unemployment is at a 49-year low and the economy remains strong.

The forecasters are at a loss to explain why reality isn’t conforming to what they learned in school. A Wall Street economist tells Reuters, “It’s like we have nothing to fear, but we should.”

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Now, as to why tariffs won’t necessarily mean higher prices for consumers:

The Trump tariffs are designed to inflict maximum damage on China while sparing American businesses and consumers. For the most part, they don’t target consumer goods.

And here’s the beauty part, how the tariffs are designed to hurt China: The Trump tariffs target items available from sources outside China. Buy from a supplier outside China, avoid the tariff. President Trump’s surgical strike tariffs are sending companies a clear message: Do business anywhere but China.

[semimojo]

If you think a marketplace full of chinese crap was because of consumer choice, you are an idiot.

I wonder why more US businesses don't go ahead and produce competitive products.

Only an idiot would resist paying more to buy American.

Consumers obviously don't care that much about price.

[bert]

The imbalance of trade rose last month because Americans spent some of their new wealth on stuff from china. the improved economy results in buying stuff

Americans really like products sourced from china

[Drago]

Most U.S. taxpayers are “consumers”, so add in the $50./per family...”farmer tariff bailout bill”. 1000 nickels right there. ($12 billion/244.3 million family tax returns).

I get the author’s point but the headline is disingenuous.

[central_va]

Tariffs raise revenue and protect US industry. win - win. All the founders of this country knew that. Guys like you got tarred and fathered.