We're on the same page, and I agree that when it's misused, the tariff is the tool of a bully. Which Trump is.Yes, I meant to write "nuances." LOL
I agree with you that the tariff is over-used. Trump seems to have only one tool in the toolbox relative to the situation. And that is the tool of a bully. Regarding trade, it's the use of tariffs. It seems to be his lead move and only move. How did he think China (or any country) would react? I suspect he thought China would cave. Asian countries more than any have to save face in a confrontation. Their pride will not let them look week. Is Trump wise enough to propose a solution where both sides can win? We're on the "everybody loses" path at the moment. And the average America suffers. When elephants fight the grass gets trampled.
I don't pretend to know the solution to dealing with China; I don't have access to any special inside knowledge. I've just studied the subject and have a belief that international trade is greatly beneficial to those who participate in it. It just seems to me that instead of spending time on self-harm policies, it would have been far better to develop alternatives to China. They need us more than we need them. If they see we are aggressive in courting other countries, China will be incentivized to behave better. That seems far better than going the protectionist route.
Your point about Asian cultures needing an out to save face is a good one. Trump, however, believes that if the opposition is left with a shred of dignity, he himself has shown weakness. A 99% win is a loss because it's not a 100% annihilation.
I do believe that the President (any President) has to have the tariff in his back pocket -- where everyone should hope it stays. But if it's not there at all, the country's bargaining position is materially compromised. It's kind of like the threat of a Qualified opinion from an auditing firm. It's drastic. It's nasty. It has the potential for a lot of collateral damage to a lot of innocent parties. But without that ultimate hammer hovering in the background, the auditor is a paper tiger.
The flip side is that, with great power comes the obligation to use it responsibly. The auditor can't issue Qualified opinions willy-nilly. The President shouldn't pull out the tariff hammer simply because it's there, and that's what seems to be lost here.
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