Thread: Trump tariff effects on beer and cars minimal: trade director Peter Navarro

Canada: "Canada will take responsive measures to defend its trade interests and workers," said Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, who called the proposed U.S. tariffs "absolutely unacceptable."

Mexico: Citing government sources, The Financial Times says that amid talks on the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, Mexico had "made it clear that if included [in tariffs], Mexico will have no other option than to react."

European Union: "We will not sit idly while our industry is hit with unfair measures that put thousands of European jobs at risk," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned.

"The EU will react firmly and commensurately to defend our interests."

Good, we already buy way more crap from them than they buy from us. If they want to play hard-ball, we'll start buying even LESS of their crap. They will ultimately be the losers, not us.

The concern I have is that China reportedly produces about half of all the steel in the world. If we get dependent on them for our steel, and aluminum, we know they want to go to war with us. All they have to do is cut off their export of steel and aluminum to us and we will be at a disadvantage if they go after us. It would take a year or two to build up our own production industry. Nukes would be about the only weapon we would have. When World War 1 started, we had a shortage of many materials, and had to build them up rapidly.

We need to remain a self sufficient nation for our own safety!

Originally Posted by jtdc

The concern I have is that China reportedly produces about half of all the steel in the world. If we get dependent on them for our steel, and aluminum, we know they want to go to war with us. All they have to do is cut off their export of steel and aluminum to us and we will be at a disadvantage if they go after us. It would take a year or two to build up our own production industry. Nukes would be about the only weapon we would have. When World War 1 started, we had a shortage of many materials, and had to build them up rapidly.

We need to remain a self sufficient nation for our own safety!

Exactly!

Canada, top exporter of steel and aluminum to US, 'flabbergasted' by tariff
Angeles Times 4h ago

Originally Posted by jtdc

I guess we need a little war now and then. A trade war is less lethal than a shooting war. And it doesn't destroy the material things we love. It just redistributes wealth. But it may get the urge for war out of our system.

Good point. We need to shake things up a bit once in a while.

The trade deficit and steel dumping issues were put on hold while China was given the opportunity to help disarm N Korea. China has not been all that helpful since 6 Chinese ships were caught delivering oil to N.Korea in December 2017 and there has been no deescalation from N Korea's threats against the U.S.

The countries that have been ripping us off the for the most seem to be squealing the loudest.

Watching Journal Editorial Report, they talk about that the U.S. only imports about 2% of our steel from China. Canada, however imports 16% of their steel from China. Canada supposedly is one of those countries that would be hurt by the U.S. raising tariffs on steel. If they retaliate by not shipping steel to the U.S., they would need to import less from China. That might shore up their own steel industry and the effect of the U.S. tariff on China would still be felt by China.

We seem to trade for the sake of trade, not because we need what we import. It seems to be about big business importing and exporting!

I laugh when they talk about higher prices for American consumers. Americans have been paying higher prices for virtually everything that matters in my lifetime. Gas, homes, cars, health insurance, utilities, HVAC equipment, dental work, good shoes, good clothes, good appliances, nice furniture, etc., etc., etc. Free trade hasn't saved us a dime on anything vital, important or necessary. It's cost us tens of millions of good jobs and grown our national debt to over $21 trillion.

I don't think people truly understand the serious trouble we're in. We're bankrupt by every measure of bankruptcy. Yes, the economy is turning around and starting to grow, but it won't last unless you fix the problems at the base and reverse the policies that are the root cause of the demise. That's in progress, including Trump's efforts to fix these bad trade deals, level the playing field, and balance our trade deficits. Trade deficits mean more US money going out of our country than coming in.

When trade is imbalanced and we're on the side of deficits, it means our money and wealth are leaving our country that will never come back. That's just a mathematical fact. This has to be reversed so that we have "fair" trade which is balanced trade or surpluses, not "free" trade that means only one thing, bankruptcy of the United States because we printed money and gave it to foreign countries.

Canada, Brazil — but not China — will be hit hardest by Trump's steel tariffs

CNBC

Top US Import Sources of Steel, Aluminum

March 01, 2018 8:52 PM

• VOA News

FILE - Workers weld a steel structure in Beijing, China, Dec. 8, 2016.


President Donald Trump announced Thursday the United States will impose steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Trump talks often about wanting to go after China, but the proposed tariff or quota would harm Canada and Europe, too.

The top five exporters of steel to the United States are:
1. Canada
2. Brazil
3. South Korea
4. Mexico
5. Russia

China ranks 11th among the countries that export steel to the U.S.

The top four exporters of aluminum to the U.S. are:
1. Canada
2. Russia
3. United Arab Emirates
4. China

https://www.voanews.com/a/top-us-imp...m/4277212.html