Trump calls for 10% tariff on all imports

and the gullible will think these other countries will be cutting the US checks for that 10%. Hint: consumers will pay it.

 

It’s a set up. There is zero intention if he was elected. It’s just fodder for him to point to as why the “global cabal” is against him. It’s a way to push a narrative of a weak globalist Joe Biden.

 

Tariffs were the reason for the increase in Scotch whisky prices

 

more leftist nonsense from the party of UNlimited gov. this is right up there with "new nafta" in the war on free markets.

 

This would be a really stupid idea in 1923. In 2023 it would destroy our economy. It would never happen, but to even say it is idiotic.

 

What’s worse ? Tariffs on imports of 10% or a 10% increase in taxes ?

 

well, they are the same thing mostly. However, I'd say tariffs are worse b/c they will lead to retaliatory tariffs...hence, a 10% tariff(TAX) will trigger taxes greater than 10%. Further, this sort of tax is massively distortionary & will result in lots of deadweight loss (a lot of the pie goes into the garbage). It will also weaken our ability to compete.

 

If anyone knows a greater wealth generator than trade, let's hear it.

 

just interesting to me that an increase of tax of all personal production(increase in income tax ) of 10% is somehow less Impactful in a negative way Vs a 10% tax on optional purchases.

 

it's far less distortionary for 1 thing

 

What kind of taxes? They would all be worse than tariffs offhand, but I'm sure some worse than others

 

I don't know if inelasticity of demand is the correct term in this context, but I imagine there are many imports that consumers view as necessities or close to it and for which there may not be sufficient domestic alternatives?

 

And remember, that 10% tariff will be followed by retaliatory tariffs on US goods, leaving our products more expensive worldwide.

 

Actually they're synonymous. A tariff is a tax on imports paid by consumers. I guess the difference is that an across the board 10% increase in tariffs would be more the more regressive of the two assuming you're referring to income tax. Also increasing the price of imports through tariffs would provide a free ticket for domestic manufacturers to raise the prices of their goods. I guess that would be fine if one likes inflation.

 

Quick lesson in history as to the effects of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930.

While the tariffs played a relatively small role in the drop in the GNP they were a contributing factor.

 

Why do you keep saying a nationalist economic policy is "leftist" ... this is basically mercantilism lol. And in general terms free markets are "liberal" economics at least in the classic sense.

 

The rich pay far more in sales taxes than the poor. They buy more and therefore pay a much larger percentage.

I get you have an envy issue. But let’s spare even going to percentage of income. Because we also know the rich pay far more as a percent of income than the poor. The poor do not pay any income taxes. Almost half the country does not pay income taxes.

 

That’s not even remotely true. As a percentage, sales tax is a flat tax. However, as a percentage of income, sales tax is highly regressive. Poor people pay far more of a percentage of their income in sales tax than wealthier individuals. And don’t even get me started with the logical flaws in “They buy more and therefore pay a much larger percentage” because they are abound.

As far as income tax as a percentage of income, the middle is who is being squeezed there. The *effective* income tax rate for the middle is often more than the wealthy, despite the fact that income taxes were created to tax the wealthy the most since most other taxes are regressive. Income tax was intended as a more progressive tax than it is, but has been so bastardized for the top 1% that it is no longer accomplishing that purpose anywhere near its original intent.