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sempron64
Are tariffs Trump's way of making up revenues for his tax cuts?
dragonwriter
> Are tariffs Trump's way of making up revenues for his tax cuts?

If they are, that's a stupid idea; tariff revene may make up for the revenue lost in regular taxes due to the tariffs themselves, but there is no level of tariff that is going to meaningfully offset the Trump tax cuts, and trying would just kill the economy.

ksk
US historically had very high tariffs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tariffs_in_United_States_histo...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_industry_argument

dragonwriter
> US historically had very high tariffs.

And...so?

ksk
Calling them a stupid idea that "would just kill the economy" is a rather unsophisticated way of looking at it. But I don't know, maybe you have a well researched opinion and are knowledgeable on this topic. We shall see !
setr
As I understood it, he's not calling tariffs stupid; he's calling an attempt to offset losses from tax refuction by imposing tariffs stupid.

Presumably, historical US was not implementing tariffs with this reason in mind.

matt_wulfeck
More like protect blue collar factory workers who voted for him for his very reason. These same people used to be the democratic base a few decades ago.
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enigma31401
You can believe that if you're that guillible LOL. He's doing his trumponomics damage control mechanics.
ksk
He said he would impose tariffs to protect workers, and hes doing it now. The question is, will they work?
vfulco
They are Trump's way of not having every industry hollowed out so we are only a nation of consumers. What country survives (or is stupid enough to) give up its IP on a monumental scale and survive?
wand3r
I've seen many economics101 arguments against these tariffs but I actually am cautiously in agreement with them. These are similar to sanctions and China has been gaming the market in it's own favor in various ways for a long time. Hopefully a longer term solution will see both countries making concessions and hopefully come to a political and economic agreement.