06-10-2018, 10:33 PM
(06-10-2018, 10:34 AM)BigMark Wrote: The truth of the matter is America has a trade imbalance, we need to fix that. If he pissses a few people off and looks like an asshole doing it well so be it.
Trade deficit is not a sign of a problem if every country is benefiting. As the biggest economic (and capitalist) market, the U.S. would naturally be importing a lot from countries where goods and materials can be produced much more cheaply than here.
There may be some categories of imported goods and materials for which U.S. consumers would be willing to pay higher prices for domestically-produced ones in order to keep/create jobs here. I don't object to President Trump or anyone else renegotiating trade agreements in those cases.
And, if the U.S is being hosed by some countries in some categories by protectionist tariffs, it's reasonable to look into renegotiating those terms.
As for China, I think Trump was right before he flip-flopped; they've benefitted immensely trade-wise over the last 20 years via currency manipulation.
So, while I can support revisiting the current trade terms & policies and hope for good outcomes, I'm certainly not required to be a cheerleader for the dumb reality show tactics being employed by Trump and company in the process.
Our allies and other countries buy a shitload of goods (and even more services) from the U.S., and some of them have laid down their citizens' lives to support U.S. missions, time and time again.
The President and other negotiators don't need to be complete assholes by publicly humiliating them in order to address trade issues. That authoritarian 'biggest bully on the block' type bullshit has the potential to jeopardize important relationships.
Acting like outraged innocent victims (ie Trump and Kudlow today) when an ally that's been publicly attacked by the U.S. actually defends itself publicly is even worse.
Those hypocritical dramatic tactics employed by this administration serve no purpose other than to drum-up or rile-up support from certain American citizens. I'd rather see more diplomacy and informed professionalism (which does not equate to 'weakness').