Trade Deficits, Boon or Bust?

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by RickeyM

I admit that I don't know economics. I understand what a trade deficit is but is it as bad as what Felon says? Know I take anything he says with several grains of salt. Also which is better, levying teriffs on imports or incentivizing producers to produce goods here?

The felon has no idea what trade deficits actually are. From his statements, he seems to think that a $50 billion trade deficit with some country means we stupidly paid $50 billion too much for the stuff we imported from them. Therefore any country with whom we have a sizeable deficit is rolling in money, which they got by cheating us and which we should try to get back by making them pay big tariffs.

He has no actual idea how tariffs work, of course.

[donquixote99]

Originally Posted by Dondilion

A nation that does not produce its basic needs has lost its sovereignty.

Can you say why, or is this just something you know in your heart?

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by Oerets

Agree tariffs are bad, were intended to be used to protect a local industry over imported. When there is none local anymore.... outsourced, moved for profit in the past...

Also agree tax those who have profited from these and other advantages over the years. All at the expense of the rest of the nation.

Due to the competing philosophies of our political parties I don't see manufacturers rushing to bring back manufacturing here. Won't they simply shift to other places we haven't "placed" teriffs on?

As for taxing those who have profited from these advantages. Them's that got the gold makes the rules.

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

The felon has no idea what trade deficits actually are. From his statements, he seems to think that a $50 billion trade deficit with some country means we stupidly paid $50 billion too much for the stuff we imported from them. Therefore any country with whom we have a sizeable deficit is rolling in money, which they got by cheating us and which we should try to get back by making them pay big tariffs.

He has no actual idea how tariffs work, of course.

That clears up a lot.

[Noogies]

As it seems to create a lot of confusion, please indulge me while I give a brief but (hopefully) helpful clinic on the topic, using the USA and Canada (conveniently enough) as examples. I am not an economist, nor am I pretty enough to play one on TV, but I do have a (marginally) better than rudimentary grasp of the subject.

Although we have a land mass larger than that of the US, Canada's population is roughly 10% that of your country. At the same time, access to our rich stores of natural resources is desirable, if not imperative for the ongoing wellbeing of the US. However, given our much smaller population there is no way Canada can consume resources at the rate of a 330 million strong juggernaut. Therefore, there is no world in which Canada could be anything other than a net exporter to the US and you guys will always maintain a trade deficit with us. Sure, we buy stuff from you -- less and less every day in the current political environment -- but comparatively, it's spit in the ocean.

This seems to irritate MAGA. Maybe it gives them a sense of helplessness, I don't know, but the relationship really can't exist any other way. Well, maybe one other way -- that's where all this 51st state bullshit comes into play. Your feckless leader can declare access to our resources a matter of national security and start massing troops at the border. Who's gonna stop him?

Who knows, maybe WW III will start right here on the 49th parallel.

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by Noogies

As it seems to create a lot of confusion, please indulge me while I give a brief but (hopefully) helpful clinic on the topic, using the USA and Canada (conveniently enough) as examples. I am not an economist, nor am I pretty enough to play one on TV, but I do have a (marginally) better than rudimentary grasp of the subject.8

Although we have a land mass larger than that of the US, Canada's population is roughly 10% that of your country. At the same time, access to our rich stores of natural resources is desirable, if not imperative for the ongoing wellbeing of the US. However, given our much smaller population there is no way Canada can consume resources at the rate of a 330 million strong juggernaut. Therefore, there is no world in which Canada could be anything other than a net exporter to the US and you guys will always maintain a trade deficit with us. Sure, we buy stuff from you -- less and less every day in the current political environment -- but comparatively, it's spit in the ocean.

This seems to irritate MAGA. Maybe it gives them a sense of helplessness, I don't know, but the relationship really can't exist any other way. Well, maybe one other way -- that's where all this 51st state bullshit comes into play. Your feckless leader can declare access to our resources a matter of national security and start massing troops at the border. Who's gonna stop him?

Who knows, maybe WW III will start right here on the 49th parallel.

I'd hope in that eventuality our Joint Chiefs of Staff* would step in and take him and his whole regeme into custody for the purpose of, as he says, "to save the country" thus not violating any law.

I think it is as Donqui says, MAGA idiots think you guys are swiping something from us.

[Noogies]

Originally Posted by RickeyM

... our Joint Chiefs of State ...

Is that a thing?

[Dondilion]

Originally Posted by donquixote99

Can you say why, or is this just something you know in your heart?

In my heart.

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by Noogies

Is that a thing?

Actually it's the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

[Oerets]

Originally Posted by RickeyM

I'd hope in that eventuality our Joint Chiefs of Staff* would step in and take him and his whole regeme into custody for the purpose of, as he says, "to save the country" thus not violating any law.

I think it is as Donqui says, MAGA idiots think you guys are swiping something from us.

Me thinks it is just as simple as......

He wants it all. People mean little to him or borders. It is all contractual.

Or better feels he deserves it. All...everything... almost like he has seen what climate change will cause and wants to be holding the assets.