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462 points JumpCrisscross | 1 comments | | HN request time: 0.199s | source
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hippo22 ◴[] No.45078622[source]
I’d like to lay out an argument about why tariffs are good.

The only businesses that are derailing with tariffs issues are those that import goods to sell. The argument against tariffs is that they make goods more expensive.

Of course, this argument is true. But that’s not the end of the story.

Because prices are higher for imported goods, demand for domestically produced goods increases. This increase in demand leads to increased demand for labor, which can increase wages. Additionally, the money multiplier effect is higher when money is kept domestically vs paid to offshore parties.

Finally, I think it’s ridiculous to expect that this nation can maintain its wealth without producing anything. We act as if the producers of food are fungible cogs that businesses can swap out. But I think we’ll find that management is the fungible part. Anyone can sell a quality good. Knowing how to make it is what’s important. I’m surprised that mindset doesn’t resonate more with software engineers.

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mrstone ◴[] No.45080080[source]
This is one of the most surface-level understandings of national economics that I have seen. Sure, all of that would be great, if not for two things a) these tariffs are not targeted and b) your country could produce everything that it is tariffing. What is the plan for cocoa beans? bananas? aluminum and steel?

These thinly veiled pro-trump people are much too common the internet and I'm getting tired of it.

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hippo22 ◴[] No.45082713[source]
The US makes both aluminum and steel FYI. I don’t think banana tariffs are going to make a huge difference either way.
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1. mrstone ◴[] No.45084263[source]
They sure do, but not enough to be self sustaining, and tariffs aren't going to magically produce more aluminum and steel. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47294. Canadian aluminum is critical to the US supply.

Bananas may not matter (to you), but coffee certainly will.