By Daisy Luther and M.K. Matthews
By now, unless you have been living in a Wifi-free deadzone, you’ve heard about the hundreds of billions in tariffs that the United States and China are flinging at one another like ninja throwing stars. When you’re hearing numbers like “100 billion dollars” it may seem like this is in an entirely different universe than the one in which you exist.
Unfortunately, that’s incorrect.
You can expect up to a 40% increase in the cost of all sorts of things. (We’ll get to those things in a moment.) First, let’s talk about tariffs so that everyone knows what’s going on.
Put simply, a tariff is a tax typically imposed on imported goods. The idea is that the tariff will make foreign-made products more expensive, driving consumers to turn to alternatives from domestic manufacturers who are not subject to the tax, and thus can charge less. In theory, this boosts the economy of the country imposing tariffs.
Trump imposed the first set of tariffs on Chinese goods to punish the country for intellectual property theft that he says has caused the U.S. economic damage…
…As of February, the U.S. also had a record-high $375.2 billion trade deficit with China, meaning it spends considerably more on Chinese imports than it makes on exports sent to China. Trump has been vocal in his desire to erase that deficit, calling it unsustainable. Tariffs are one strategy for leveling that playing field.
When Trump announced the first round of tariffs on China, it was seen as a declaration of a trade war — a progressive effort by the two nations to damage each other economically, mainly through taxes and trade restrictions. That’s why China answered Trump’s tariffs with a slew of its own taxes, and why Trump subsequently threatened to impose an additional $100 billion in tariffs on Chinese goods. (source)
So, to make a long story short, China is going to slap a tariff on things we export to them, making them up 15% or so higher in price for the consumer. This means that in all likelihood, the price increase can decrease China’s demand for the goods we export to them. (Find a list of items that the Chinese plan to charge tariffs on here.) This could hit farmers the hardest when demand for the goods they export decreases due to the higher prices.
A lobbying group for US farmers pleaded with the administration not to go forward with the tariffs, fearing retaliation by China, one of the largest buyers of US crops.
“We continue to urge the administration to listen to farmers across rural America who can’t afford new taxes on their exports,” Max Baucus, a former Democratic senator from Montana and co-chairman of Farmers for Free Trade, said in a statement. (source)
Now, in the United States, our government will add a tariff to the price of things like steel, pork, ingredients for medications, and a host of other items. When we go to the store to purchase the affected items, we’ll suffer sticker shock when we see that the price is anywhere from 10% to 40% higher than it was just a few weeks ago.
Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty.
What will be affected?
It’s shocking to see how many essential items are dependent on foreign suppliers. There are more than 1300 products to which the US has proposed to add a 25% tariff. You can go here to find the full list and we’ll hit some of the highlights in this summary:
- Tires, tire retreading products, all rubber products including but not limited to stoppers, caps, lids, hoses, belts, tubes, pipes etc. This will affect everything that rolls or is contained.
- Antifreeze and de-icing fluids
- Iron and iron alloys and steel products
- Aluminum and alloys
- Nuclear reactors and parts
- Central heating units and parts, furnace burners and all parts, furnaces, ovens, and water heaters,
- Turbines of all kinds, combustion piston engines, ignitions, compressors
- Hydraulic engines, pneumatic engines, turbo engines
- Pumps of all kinds
- Machinery for food production commercial and home use
- Papermaking and bookmaking, anything printed
- Cartons, boxes, containers for mailing and shipping
- Textile machines, any and everything to do with needlework of any kind in textiles
- Metalworks: Anything to do with machinery involved in this industry, drilling, milling, grinding, smoothing, shaping, punching, polishing, etc.
- Woodworking machinery of any all kinds
- Cast iron parts and products
- Chainsaws and parts
- Cash registers
- Anything to do with computers, electronics, magnetic storage, whole or in parts
- Medical devices
- Microwaves
- TVs
- Car computer components,
- Concrete mixers
- Earthmoving, crushing, grinding, and sorting machinery of all kinds
- Glass optic machinery
- Assembly machinery of all kinds
- Vacuum molding machinery
- Thermoforming machinery
- Rope and cable manufacturing machinery, both metal and fiber
- Floor polishers,
- Trash compactors
- Pulleys
- Ball bearings
- Welders
- Electric motors
- Generators of all applications from large to small
- Electromagnetics
- Lab equipment for all applications
- Broadcast equipment
- Safety control equipment (flight record data box for example)
- Railway and shipping equipment of any and all types
- Tractors
- Motor vehicles of all kinds. If it rolls it’s on the list.
- If it flies it’s on the list as well as the parts to repair or assemble
- If it floats it’s on the list.
- Satellites of all kinds and all parts
And it isn’t just mechanical goods and electronics. A large number of medications and medical supplies will be affected:
- Coenzyme Q10 (ubidecarenone) heart health supplement increases oxygen
- Quinone drugs including Malaria testing kits
- Aromatic drugs derived from carboxylic acids with additional oxygen function, and their derivatives
- Amfetamine (INN) benzfetamine (INN), dexamfetamine (INN), etilamfetamine used to treat ADHD, hyperactivity, narcolepsy, athletic performance and cognitive enhancer
- antidepressants, tranquilizers and other psychotherapeutic agents, monoamine drugs
- cardiovascular drugs of amino-compounds with oxygen function
- dermatological agents and local anesthetics
- Lidocaine
- oxygen increase breathing drugs for cardio patients and asthmatics
- Anesthesia drugs
- Thyroid drugs, hormone drugs
- TB drugs
- Anti-malaria drugs
- Immunological products and drugs
- Vaccines for human medicine
- Vaccines for veterinary medicine
- Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic, diagnostic uses; toxins, cultures of micro-organisms
- Antibiotics
- Diabetes drugs, testing strips, syringes
- Asthma drugs
- Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine – vasodilators
- Other medications containing alkaloids or derivatives
- Medicaments containing vitamin B2 synthesized from aromatic or mod. aromatic compounds, in dosage form or packed for retail
- Medicaments containing vitamin B12 synthesized from aromatic or mod. aromatic compounds, in dosage form or packed for retail
- Medicaments containing vitamin E synthesized from aromatic or mod. aromatic compounds, in dosage form or packed
- Adhesive dressings and other articles having an adhesive layer, coated or impregnated with pharmaceutical substances, packed for retail
- Herbicides
- Triethanolamine will affect surfactants (any detergent), emulsifiers, and cosmetics
- Sterile surgical catgut, suture materials, tissue adhesives for wound closure, laminaria, laminaria tents, and absorbable hemostatic.
- Algins used as thickening or stabilizing agents in foodstuffs and other products.
- Drugs used to dilate the cervix
- Blood-grouping reagents – medical blood tests
- Opacifying preparation for X-ray examination; diagnostic reagent designed to be administered to the patient such as Barium for GI series, dyes, and stains for other radiologic tests
- Antigens or antisera antiserum. A serum containing antibodies that are specific for one or more antigens. Also called immune serum. Human or animal serum containing one or more antibodies that are specific for one or more antigens and are administered to confer immunity.
- Thorium – coats tungsten filaments used in old-fashioned light bulbs, TV’s, electronics, etc.
- Dental cement and other dental fillings; bone reconstruction cement
- Chemical contraceptive preparations based on hormones or spermicides, birth control
- Gel preparation use human/veterinary medicine lubricant in surgical operations, physical exam, or coupling agent between body & medical instrument, such as KY Jelly
- Appliances identifiable for ostomy use
Are we screwed?
Maybe, maybe not. There’s no easy answer.
First of all, this hasn’t happened yet. It probably will, but so far these tariffs don’t exist. However, I advise you plan like it’s a “done deal.” If there are things you’ll be purchasing anyway, it doesn’t hurt to get ahead.
Secondly, this may end up creating more industry and jobs in the US. It’s really impossible to say whether that will be the end result or not. But one thing is sure, and I’ve written about it numerous times: consuming more than we produce is a dangerous way to live.
Finally, many of these things are products that we’ve lived without for centuries. Your budget may be tighter, your expenses may be higher, or you may just end up finding a workaround. It’s important to know about these things, but it’s even more important not to panic and to use this knowledge to empower yourself. You may have to revisit your budget if any of these things are essential and figure out where to cut so that you can still afford to purchase the needed items.
How do we prep for this?
Read over the lists above and take the time to go over to the government’s press release and read it over. When you’re reading, make a list of the items most likely to affect you and your family.
Then consider the following:
- Is the item essential?
- Can you stockpile it ahead of time?
- Can you make it yourself?
- Can you acquire it in another way?
- What are the alternatives?
Make a plan NOW before things get more expensive or shortages occur.
Will these proposed tariffs affect you?
Are you concerned that a particular item on the list will hit your family especially hard? How do you plan to prepare for potential price increases or shortages? Do you think Trump and China will back down, or do you think the trade war is on?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
If it does happen, “We the people” are frelled. But the 1% will make billions and that will make Tramp happy.
Time for your medication I see.
Why do you suggest that someone needs to be on medication if they post something you don’t happen to agree with?
There is very few things that will affect me on the list. I make a point of buying used where I can, like furniture, dishes, pots and pans, cars, etc. My toaster is NOS made in America. Even my stove was made in America (1955). I am off grid with an refurbished Edison Battery also made in America. luckily I use essential oils and herbs for medicine so I am not tied to pharma for meds. Even my blue jeans (Texas Jeans) are 100 % made in America. My goal is to purchase was is made in our country as much as possible. I know that Smithfield pork is owned by China, so I no longer buy that product. I have my own chickens, ducks, turkeys and dairy goats. Beef I buy for a neighbor. I buy a heifer or steer from him and have it butchered. The less ties you have to the system, the less control it has over you.
Great way to think and live! I am there with you but we are the minority I think. All those folks who live in the metro areas and even more who are dependent on the modern medical system are gonna have some troubles if this does come to pass. I really hope more and more folk learn to depend on themselves and start using the brain that God gave to figure stuff out!
The common folks who live in these countries are the ones who will be hurt by this “trade war.” Those well off folks won’t even feel it. Doubt Trump will notice the pinch when it comes.
Wait and see has become my mantra these days. Still gotta go home and fix supper, mow the yard, do chores etc. no matter what happens.
Thank you for getting that huge list together. I had not even thought of most of them so I now have things to consider but that’s why I am a reader here!
Good article with excellent content; extremely relevant to Preppers Daisy. I look at this as the Globalization War and not really a Trade War. The entire situation was a political creation a few years ago to make a few people filthy rich. Those people are now called Political Donors and are wildly enthusiastic about getting richer and trashing America. President Trump, elected as a PRO-American, sees the Trade situation clearly and as a threat to American soverignity; is asking for FAIR Trade. Now, those same people that got rich are now losing a little bit and making a LOT of noise and crying about it. The non-thinking ideologues that believe politicians are supporting them too.
In the end, we WILL pay more regardless of the outcome of this current skirmish. If Globalism wins, expect to live as if in Ethiopia or Bangladesh, for the Open Borders will permit EVERYBODY to come here and turn this Melting Pot into a literal Sewer of Human Misery. Only the Preppers with skills will survive that unless they immigrate too. But the Rich, WILL be richer and the Poor, WILL be poorer. Thanks be to Obama, Soros and Saul Alinsky w/Lucifer.
I can say personally that it has already affected me. We are purchasing sheets of metal for repairing our garage (a lot of people use this for roofing or siding) and it has had a 4% increase and a second increase as of April 16th. We bought what we could but will still need more. It may seem small but on a large amount it will add up. The company we buy from also told us screws and metal fasteners will also go up. If you have the means, I would get some tubs of nails and screws. My lightening fast mind is thinking everything metal.Canning caps and bands? Tools? Cell phones? Aluminum foil? Stock it deep and stock it high. Once it goes up, it seems like it never goes down. Thanks for the bump. You really got us thinking!
Tariffs will affect us all, one way or another; directly or indirectly. YES, We Must be Prepare for what will come, like it or not. President Trump is poking a wasps nest not fully understanding the consequences. He does it just because he can. There is no method to his madness. He lacks restraint as well as insight. He isn’t one to pick and choose his fights. But enough about the stupidity of our President. The bottom line is this people, it would be in our best interest to get ready the best way we can for SHTF event.
Personally, I make sure I BUY AMERICAN! I rather keep an American working than to pay a dollar an hour to a foreign worker. I don’t have a problem with their workmanship or that they too need to earn a living, but, when it comes to supporting someone – family comes first.
It is our American companies that need to get a hold of themselves and re-evaluate how and where they will conduct business. If they lowered their prices for those that need here in the USA and create a net work here in the USA then we All will be sitting pretty. But NO, these guys think of themselves as some sort of international organization where they can exploit a foreign country with their goods and services, Apple comes to mind. As such they must play by international rules such as tariffs and embargoes. When you have two mental midgets trying to play tit-for-tat; then the businessmen end up paying the price which they pass along to their strong support base – us, the American consumer. If it costs Apple $5.00 to make a new cell phone then why sell it to the American consumer for $1000.00 bucks? Answer because they can and we as an American consumer are stupid enough to pay for it just because we want all the bells and whistles. If that isn’t spoiled I don’t know what is. I have a land line in my home and it costs me $12.00 a month. I don’t need to make a call nor be texted. If you need me, leave a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible. My telephone bill isn’t $80.00 plus a month just $12.00 bucks.
So again, I say prepare yourself for what may come. Don’t be beholding to anyone or anything. Pay off your debt(s) as quickly as possible and watch and learn. Be patient, it will come, the SHTF scenario. It is just a matter of time and mistakes made by our Government and corporations will start the ball rolling down hill. What will set us apart is how bad it will affect us as a whole.
So will you be one of those crying the Boo-Who-Blues or will you be one of those that saw the handwriting on the wall and did something about it before you or our country really step in it?
He is looking out in the long term. Wake up.
Mr. McCraken, It is easy to say that Trump is looking out for the long term, with short term input. If you mean that we as a country will be dealing with his antics and actions for DECADES TO COME, then I agree with you. And you can BET YOUR BRASS BAND, I’m AWAKE NOW! How else am I to be prepare for the WORLD OF CRAP TO COME? I suggest that you tighten your seat-belt, ’cause its going to be a real bumpy road ahead. What more can you expect from a mental midget like Trump, except a tragedy in the making.
Good observations.
Thinking “down the road” one needs to understand what government really is…A group whose direction is to commit the crimes denied to lesser individuals (citizens).
The simplest answer to reducing the hurt caused by a tariff war would be to reduce other taxes (on average citizens) by the same amount accrued by government via tariffs.
Think that will happen? Yeah right!
Americans have become spoiled by low prices and high wages. They have been told by advertisers they “deserve” things they did not earn. And unfortunately, they believe it!
Some hard lessons are coming and they really are deserved.
The bulk of the population from the “Boomer generation” on (I am one) have enjoyed unearned lifestyles.
Hard lessons will be hardest on those who have been fooled into thinking they are entitled to that which they did not earn.
My parents were products of the great depression. Lessons they learned were not lost on or by, me.
The greatest compliment I ever received was from a friend who once sneered, “He can fix practically anything with almost nothing.”
That, I would qualify with, “Practically anything Worth fixing.”
Thank you for the lists! Reviewing them to see what additional items we use can be purchased now.
We have a standard of living largely based on Chinese slave labor. People who would decry black slavery have no problem buying products made by Chinese slaves serving their emperor-for-life. So if prices go up because unemployed Americans are once more hired at fair wages to do the work of Chinese slaves, I am ok with that. It is terrible that our government allowed us to become so dependent on a foreign government and slavery for neccessities. We do need to once again create our own capacity for supplying ourselves.
amen!!
I am so confused. Am I correct in understanding that the items we export to China will go up for us as well as the items we import from China? So the list that starts out with fruits and nuts China imposes a tariff on these items we export to them how is that gonna make our price go up? Seems like if China does not buy these items due to tariff we would have a surplus and the price would go down.
The list of items we import from China, the one with parts for anything that flies, drives or sails. I am pretty sure a lot of that stuff is not made in the US, so again we are screwed. Because everything we purchase depends on being driven, sailed, or flown so that will trickle down to everything we purchase. Even items made in the USA depend on machinery and trucks at some point in the distribution, that will need those parts from China.
I read the article twice and it seems like a no win either way.
Hi, Stacy – I’m sorry that wasn’t clear. The price of the items that China is imposing tariffs on will go up IN CHINA, not in the US. But because our farmers rely on being able to export those goods, it’s going to affect them seriously. The things we import FROM China will have an extra tariff slapped on them, making not only those things go up in price, but other things that are related. (Like you mentioned, the equipment and trucks, etc.) I hope this helps to clarify what was written.
This list goes to show you how many jobs were sent overseas.
Face the facts people, China has been screwing us since day one. The past administrations, Democrats as well as Republicans, have been too stupid or complicit to stop the drain. Personally, if it is going to cost me more to be able to buy American made products, so be it. Let’s bring the jobs home.
Bring the jobs home to WHERE? The factories are shuttered. Cohoes Mills , which made millions of comforters and bedding is now high end apartments, so don’t tell me we are going to just “unshutter” them. And how are we going to get them running again? With machines we don’t make here in the USA, repaired with parts we don’t make in the USA, installed by people who are not trained in the USA?
Have you been to PIttsburgh, PA lately? I have. The steel mills are GONE. They fell down from disuse and lack of maintenance. It is a wonderful thought to “put Americans back to work again” but have you tired to hire the up and coming work force? We coddled them to the point they don’t want to work. They want to sit down and have everything handed to them….oh, wait, emailed or texted to them…they won’t even walk over to the computer printer and pick up their own printouts.
I don’t know what the answer is, but I am pretty sure making the 1% richer isn’t the right way to go. How about tarriffs on companies that outsource their work that is sold here in the USA? Apple? Telephone companies’ tech support? How about outlawing moving HUGE amounts of profits to offshore accounts so it isn’t taxed? If you make the money here, you pay the taxes here.
Sigh. I am glad I am old. I am glad I don’t have grandchildren. Off to buy some canning lids before they go up in price.
Tattler makes a plastic, reusable canning lid. You do need the rubber seals though. Those will wear out before the plastic part. I’ve been using and reusing them for years.
I agree with a lot of the points made by posters here, and sympathize with all of their predicaments, but there is a level of understanding that is slipping by that is frustrating to me.
When Nixon opened relations and trade with China, the Government did encourage some trade with Asian countries to ease tensions and prevent wars. There were government incentives given and gifts from America. We gave them animal DNA, agriculture DNA and a lot of knowledge.
As they developed, they ORGANIZED very well and focused their efforts on specific industries. As many will recall, textiles came early, as did radios, TVs and other electronics. They could build them real cheap SO WE BOUGHT SHIPLOADS of them. They moved into cars, appliances, and all clothing. IT WAS CHEAP, so we bought them and US manufacturers went broke trying to compete. The BUY CHEAP, go bankrupt cycle kept repeating.
Your government didn’t CAUSE you to buy CHEAP, your need to conserve made that choice. Your government sure didn’t STOP YOU from buying cheap either. The past 6 Administrations let this problem get way worse and become completely dangerous. But now Trump says this trade imbalance of $500 BILLION is unfair and he gets shredded for being stupid, dangerous, called Tramp, needs impeached, etc FOR SPEAKING UP FOR AMERICA! Would you rather he say nothing?
LOOK IN THE MIRROR TO SEE THE REAL CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM! It’s not the Chinese, not Nixon, not CEO’s and sure not Trump either. You know as well as I do that if we keep buying cheap from China that they will COMPLETELY OWN America in just a few years.
I am not really worried about them owning America as I am about them crashing our system ( such as it is ). Does anyone realize that if China just stopped shipping us products that 70% of business would shut down within 6 months causing massive unemployment and inflation which wouldd crash our economy ? yes it would hurt them also but the oriental mind is not the same as ours. they have a “hive” mentality which would put their long term good and survival over the needs and wants of today’s citizen
I’m not as concerned with what I’ll have to do without from the list, as the fact that the list is so long and includes a lot of things that we as a people ingest or use for medical purposes! That’s appalling to me. Also, the fact that so many things that our country depends on, i.e. vehicles of all kinds, tools, tires, etc., are coming from there instead of here.
I agree with commenter “Dave”: It’s our “need” for “cheap” stuff (because we can’t afford American made, in a lot of cases) that got us into this mess. Not that our guberment had nothing to do with it, though; there’s a reason we can’t afford American made. We all have a choice to make: Do we buy cheap or do we buy quality? Do we spend our money here or there?
I also like “Mette’s” comment: Try to be as disconnected from the “system” as possible! We’ve been purchasing more things from the thrift store. There are so many great things that people get rid of! Also, grow your own or purchase from local sources as much as possible.
Anyway, we’re still learning and trying to teach our children along the way. People have survived a lot over the millennia. With God’s help, we will too.
Thanks for keeping us all updated on the world, Daisy! =)
You have been in an exchange rate war conducted by China for 40 years that affected the price of everything you bought, why is this response now somehow a bad thing. The war decimated the US industrial base and sent every skilled and semi skilled job to China, your black, youth and low skilled unemployment rate is a direct consequence of this war the same as it is for Europe.
mhash, the reason why this response is such a bad thing is that Mr. Trump didn’t coordinate his actions with anyone nor did he truly think it through. China has always been an old prejudiced woman when dealing with other countries. China thinks of herself as above all other countries because it considers herself the oldest country in the civilized world. So doing things in a tit-for-tat way is a easy response when dealing with unpredictable people or countries. Mr. Trump’s child like behavior will oblige China and go toe-to-toe with them in a tit-for-tat game.
On Wednesday 4 April, 2018 Mr. Trump raised the tariffs to 50 Billion, China follow suite. On Thursday, Mr. Trump then went to 100 Billion in tariffs as a retaliation against China. Again, China followed suite. By Friday 6 April, 2018, Mr. Trump authorized 150 Billion in tariffs and once again China followed suite.
There are those in the Government that say that China needs American food stuffs more than American needs their goods, (Republicans said this). Meanwhile the American Farmer has already committed their fields to sell to China. It is too late to change now, they are committed and fear that they will literately lose the farm on this BS if there is a tariff placed on their food stuffs.
If Mr. Trump pulls this off, then I will call him the genius of the 21st century. But I come from a military background and I learn that you can not win a war without everyone being on the same sheet of music. There are details, planning, counter-planning so on and so forth. Mr. Trump just open his big mouth, wave his arms around as if he is conducting a dog and pony show, only to let someone else do all the hard work. As it stands right now it is all talk. These so called tariffs haven’t gone into affect yet because everyone is trying to catch up to and understand exactly what the President wants to do and how to get it done. I’m sure that the courts will play an important role in this too. They will most likely say something as to the legality of the whole situation and Mr. Trump will be back at square one only this time with the entire world pissed off at him. You see when you play this tit-for-tat game the stock market will react and most likely will go down. When it goes down that is when American people will lose their jobs. Remember, 2007? When the market went down and the US went into a tail spin. The trucking industry fell apart because the merchants failed to resupply themselves with goods out of fear of being stuck with the surplus stuck on their shelves. The trucking industry is barely making a comeback now.
So what is gong to happen when Farmer John is stuck with a surplus crop? Do you think Mr. Trump will BAIL them out? No, I don’t think so either. Mr. Trump needs to stop acting like a one-man band and start acting like the President of these United States of America, plan first, then check your decisions for flaws or errors, then implement them.
We never should have allowed ourselves to get in this position in the first place. Hindsight is 20/20.
Time to pay the fiddler. MAGA.
That guy is definitely off his meds. You’re right, he should stock up. Ask your doctor to add valium to the list dude.
I’m all for bringing jobs home but so many of our factories have been dismantled to make room for high-rises & office complexes that I fear rebuilding them will take quite awhile. Then people will need to be trained to do the jobs. Working with your hands is certainly something no longer addressed by public schools. All they learn there is data entry or building Lego rockets. If we can make it through the initial phases it will be a good thing but it will be rough going for awhile.
I agree.
Time to tighten the belt a notch, keep gardening, canning, and sourcing things we need from craigslist, friends, and garage sales.
China needs us a lot worse than we need them.
I have refused to buy anything new made in China for years with an exception to fulfill a request from a frontline military family member deployed a second time to Afghanistan back in the day. For him I would have gone to China myself to get what he asked for which just wasn’t available from another source that I could find.
It is VERY HARD to find things not made in China and even harder to find things made in USA.
I think any corporate board only has “the bottom line” as a goal when making decisions and apparently most American shoppers feel the same way, which is why so many things come from China.
I have one new thing from China but I didn’t want to buy it so my son said it makes some things easier for him and he paid for it. Fair enough. Also, no one else in my family has taken my stand.
It makes me so sad that our country produces so little. We are no longer the leader and I doubt a trade war will return us to that position. Our products were the best (with a concession to German engineering).
Not buying Chinese products also helps keep the spending down
.;-)
But things change.
You really do your research well!
before all these taxes the country made lots of money on tariffs.
why we are dependent on our enemies i don’t understand.
the americas are a big place. we should have ties to mexico and canada, also brazil and any other friendly country here in the true western world.
we should be making our own strategic and medical supplies always.
i read that our soldiers’ boots are made in china! i wouldn’t let any national security necessities be manufactured anywhere in the world but right here at home.
we need to be as independent as possible.
hoping for america to solve most of our unemployment problems with tariffs.
read that the chinese are going to boycott soybeans.
farmers, grow mung beans instead. expand your markets beyond china.
the chinese will hurt without our soy, but may be able to buy brazil’s supply.
i have nothing against the chinese but your supply of necessities should be as close to home as possible.
i hope the chinese people don’t have o suffer, but stealing other people’s inventions and intellectual properties is almost unforgivable.
No. it’s okay I heard trump say that the farmers understand the need for this. It’s okay if they can’t sell their crop this year, They understand. It’s okay if they can’t make the payments on their machinery. The banks understand. Really, they do. The payment for the fertilizer? Not a problem the chemical companies understand. Paying their employees with no money in the bank, they’ll be happy to take I O U s. The banks will just collect those I O U s instead of mortgage payments and car payments and utility payments and medical payments and grocery payments
They understand! Do You! I thought not, I don’t either.
P.S. I heardit on the news that trump is going to pay all of their bills until 2018. After that we’re on our own.
Well, me, I guess all these farmers can look forward to the increase in their Tax Refund Check before they get their Unemployment checks while looking for a new place to live and work.
And the agribusinesses will buy up the bankrupt farms at pennies on the devalued dollars.
And charge us more at the grocery store.
Honestly, I personally support the tariffs…and quite frankly I don’t support much of anything Trump does. If we are going to “make American great again” we need to switch back from an economy based on services to one based on production. Foreign goods should cost more, and that includes goods made on foreign soil by American corporations. We need to make American self sustaining. Everything we need should be produced in America. Will that be a quick or painless transition? Absolutely not, but Americans need to buck up and rip the bandaid of cheap foreign goods off as rapidly as possible. This is, in my opinion, the only true way to save the American economy…well that and go back to a gold standard (but that is a whole different issue). Note: this is my OPINION please don’t be a troll. If your OPINION is different I can respect that, please be respectful of mine.
I do have one question I would be interested in hearing some facts about. Is China capable of producing enough food to feed it’s people? Does it currently produce enough food? Are the systems in place to increase food production? Is Russia, or any other country capable of filling in the gap if American is no longer supplying corn, grain and other such products to China? Do we, at least for the time being, have something they can’t live without?