Subj : 104% import duty for Chin
To   : DON VALLY
From : Mike Powell
Date : Sat Apr 12 2025 09:51:00

>  MP> There is a problem with the logic, though.  Having American workers
>  MP> make things because too costly, which is why we don't do it any more.

> We don't do it anymore because we buy all of our stuff from China.

And we buy all of our stuff from China because US workers rightfully don't
want to work for US $3/hour, which is the average pay for Chinese workers
who make stuff to ship here.

If you can find Americans willing to work for that amount who can also make
quality stuff, then you'd best capitalize on that opportunity, at least
until the Union reps start showing up.

>  MP> I would love to see that come back, but I am also realistic.  If you
>  MP> have to pay the workers too much, the products cost too much.

> So since we can't make anything cheaply, we should just give up and let
> the slave labor trade make it for us and send all of our dollars
> overseas?

No, but since we cannot make it as cheaply, we'd better be willing to pay a
*whole* lot more for it.  As most people are not willing to do so, I don't
see it happening.  I do *wish* it would but with the cost of living in the
US where it is now, it would seem impossible.

> This needs to be a global economy, on an even keel. Not onesided with
> our competitors having the advantage of a tarriff on our goods.

Many of the countries we were tariffing don't have tariffs on our goods.
In the case of Australia, we had a trade *surplus* with them.  We were, at
least briefly until the pause, tariffing two places that we do no trade
with and that have no permanent human inhabitants... all because an AI
generated list included them.

>  MP> Germany ran into the same issues during WWII.  They pissed off any
>  MP> potential trade partners (in their case, by starting a real war and
>  MP> invading countries) and ran low on all of the materials they needed,
>  MP> not just for the war but for their citizens back home.  It didn't end
>  MP> well.

> So you are comparing the United States with Nazi Germany from 1940? Not
> too sure that's completely relevant in these days and times.

In the sense of what else they were up to -- being Nazis -- it isn't
relevant.  In the sense that they didn't have the resources to do what they
wanted, and couldn't do it without trade, it is very relevant.

>  MP> The last time the US decided to tariff the hell out of everyone, in an
>  MP> apparent attempt to isolate itself, it also didn't end well.

> And your examples?

> Thanks for your reply Mike

Look up the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, a/k/a the Tariff Act of 1930.  It was
meant to protect the US from foreign competition during the beginning of the
Great Depression.  It was believed it would improve US employment and
manufacturing.  It is instead now known for causing a trade war that lead to
international trade dropping significantly and making the Depression in the US
much worse.


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