# Trump may be starting a Trade War to deflect away Mueller hot on his trail **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 23, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302 "2018-01-23T16:12:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Clu-Me-In](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/1 "2018-01-23T16:12:54Z")
It appears that the President is attempting to start a Trade War with China by slapping steep Tariffs on Solar Panels and Washing Machines. Trump says that the tariffs are aimed at protecting American companies from cheap foreign imports. Since he cannot justify starting a real war with some weakling country, I believe he’s using this trade war to divert attention from the fact that the Independent Counsel is now deep inside his administration with the recent interview of the Attorney General. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/2 "2018-01-23T16:18:58Z")
> [@Clu-Me-In](#): > > It appears that the President is attempting to start a Trade War with China by slapping steep Tariffs on Solar Panels and Washing Machines. Trump says that the tariffs are aimed at protecting American companies from cheap foreign imports. Since he cannot justify starting a real war with some weakling country, I believe he’s using this trade war to divert attention from the fact that the Independent Counsel is now deep inside his administration with the recent interview of the Attorney General. I think he’s using it as a bargaining chip to try and force the Chinese into doing more about North Korea (and maybe to back off of their expansion into the South China Sea area). He’s been holding various economic things over the Chinese collective head since before he was even elected, and since he was elected he trots them out only to put them away once the Chinese make a concession. He’s doing the same sort of thing with Mexico and Canada and NAFTA. It’s basically his method for doing business…he likes having leverage and showing he has a big stick to hit someone with and uses it to threaten in order to get his way. He thinks he can run the US just like he does one of his businesses or even his personal relationships. I don’t think you need to look for deeper or more convoluted reasons than he’s a dick, acts like a dick, and this is how he does things. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/3 "2018-01-23T16:21:16Z")
I belief the solar cells are Chinese, and the washers South Korean. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Terrific](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tom_terrific/32/342_2.png) [@Tom\_Terrific](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Terrific)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/4 "2018-01-23T16:55:29Z")
According to the AP the solar cells are mainly Chinese and the washing machines are Mexican. Cite [https://apnews.com/5f68ab2a45124b29be5dfbfc474dde73/Trump-hits-solar-panels,-washing-machines-with-tariffs](https://apnews.com/5f68ab2a45124b29be5dfbfc474dde73/Trump-hits-solar-panels,-washing-machines-with-tariffs) ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/5 "2018-01-23T17:27:29Z")
> [@XT](#): > > I don’t think you need to look for deeper or more convoluted reasons than he’s a dick, acts like a dick, and this is how he does things. I think that reasons are not deep too, but I do think that Trump is thinking that he is also killing 2 birds with one stone. So it is not just to get something from China, but also to try to limit the reach of solar power vs his simple minded already chosen winner: coal and oil. > **[Trump Imposes 30% Imported Solar Tariff, Threatens 23,000 Jobs In 2018 -...](https://cleantechnica.com/2018/01/23/trump-solar-tariff-jobs/)** > > After 8 months of uncertainty and vitriol, US President Donald Trump has decided this week to impose a 30% tariff on imported solar cells and modules in response to a Section 201 trade case filed by Suniva and SolarWorld back in April of 2017, a move... > [@](#): > > Trump Imposes 30% Imported Solar Tariff, Threatens 23,000 Jobs In 2018 > > In brief — because I’ve covered the story since June of last year — Chinese-owned and US-based solar manufacturer Suniva filed a Section 201 trade complaint with the United States International Trade Commission (ITC). It was soon joined in the complaint by SolarWorld, and a month later the ITC accepted the complaint and began an Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigation. > > Since then a near-consensus has built up that introducing tariffs on solar cells and modules would have a catastrophic cost to the US solar industry. In June, the US Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) claimed that the US solar industry could lose a third of its workforce, or an estimated 88,000 jobs, if the relief sought by Suniva and SolarWorld was granted — in October both companies modified their petition and reduced the relief they were seeking. > > The sheer threat of tariffs has already detrimentally impacted the US solar industry, with the cost of solar increasing for the first time in years. In October, GTM Research analyzed the potential impact of tariffs, and it was bad news all around. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/6 "2018-01-23T17:36:51Z")
This has been brewing since last [fall](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-whirlpool/panel-finds-u-s-washing-machine-makers-hurt-by-lg-samsung-imports-idUSKBN1CA1W4) and now LG and Samsung appliance plants in the US will slow their US [hiring](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-tariffs/trump-slaps-steep-u-s-tariffs-on-imported-washers-solar-panels-idUSKBN1FB30B). > [@](#): > > The move punishes Samsung, which recently began washer production in South Carolina, and LG, which is building a washer factory in Tennessee. > > LG Electronics said that the decision will hinder the ramp-up and employment prospects of its new plant, which will not begin production until late 2018 or early 2019. ---
**Author:** ![Translucent\_Daydream](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/translucent_daydream/32/16170_2.png) [@Translucent\_Daydream](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Translucent_Daydream)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/7 "2018-01-24T13:24:21Z")
While this may be good for Solar World, it’s absolute shit for the solar installers. They fought this. Solar World has about 500 employees, while the solar panel installation industry employs thousands. This won’t cause the price of solar panels to go down, they go up and the installers aren’t going to get the install jobs. I know a few that are already being prepared for layoffs. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/8 "2018-01-24T13:33:30Z")
> [@Translucent\_Daydream](#): > > While this may be good for Solar World, it’s absolute shit for the solar installers. They fought this. Solar World has about 500 employees, while the solar panel installation industry employs thousands. This won’t cause the price of solar panels to go down, they go up and the installers aren’t going to get the install jobs. I know a few that are already being prepared for layoffs. That is what a local installer said this morning on the local NPR affiliate. His US supplier has sold out of their stock, and he will have to buy Chinese at the tariff rate. ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/9 "2018-01-24T13:40:12Z")
It could simply be that he is keeping one of his campaign promises (and pursuing a policy long advocated by many on this board.) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/10 "2018-01-24T13:55:51Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > I think that reasons are not deep too, but I do think that Trump is thinking that he is also killing 2 birds with one stone. So it is not just to get something from China, but also to try to limit the reach of solar power vs his simple minded already chosen winner: coal and oil.] And the washing machine tariff is for his other chosen winner: rocks by the river? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/11 "2018-01-24T14:05:39Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > It could simply be that he is keeping one of his campaign promises (and pursuing a policy long advocated by many on this board.) I didn’t know it was a popular position on the SDMB that there should be a big tax on solar panels. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/12 "2018-01-24T14:10:45Z")
> [@Clu-Me-In](#): > > …I believe he’s using this trade war to divert attention from the fact that the Independent Counsel is now deep inside his administration with the recent interview of the Attorney General. I believe he is not. Where does that leave us? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/13 "2018-01-24T14:13:20Z")
So prices are going up on appliances. Great! Stupid Trump. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/14 "2018-01-24T14:30:56Z")
The first report I heard on NPR said that the tariff was on “industrial washing machines”, which I take to be not household washers, but those that are found in laundromats. I cannot find a reference to that now. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/15 "2018-01-24T14:43:56Z")
> [@Tom\_Terrific](#): > > According to the AP the solar cells are mainly Chinese and the washing machines are Mexican. Cite [Trump applies tariffs to solar panels, washing machines | AP News](https://apnews.com/5f68ab2a45124b29be5dfbfc474dde73/Trump-hits-solar-panels,-washing-machines-with-tariffs) We should make the Mexicans pay for the washing machines. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/16 "2018-01-24T14:53:51Z")
The solar panel thing is just a way to give a middle finger to environmentalists. I don’t see why it matters though. Aren’t solar panels $0.50 a watt now? That would make them $0.65 a watt with a tariff. An extra $0.15 isn’t going to make much difference since solar costs about $3-4 per installed watt. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/17 "2018-01-24T17:11:24Z")
“Hot on the trail?” Really? Looks more to me like Mueller has nothing, and is getting desperate. That’s why he’s trying to get Trump to testify under oath- he’s got absolutely nothing to charge Trump with, but MIGHT if Trump is brash and stupid enough to say something false under oath. (And he certainly IS brash and stupid enough.) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/18 "2018-01-24T17:13:53Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I didn’t know it was a popular position on the SDMB that there should be a big tax on solar panels. I don’t recall any protectionist rhetoric on the board. And to the extent that there has been any discussion of trade wars with China, the general response has been “no”, as I recall it. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/19 "2018-01-24T17:17:19Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > “Hot on the trail?” Really? > > Looks more to me like Mueller has nothing, and is getting desperate. That’s why he’s trying to get Trump to testify under oath- he’s got absolutely nothing to charge Trump with, but MIGHT if Trump is brash and stupid enough to say something false under oath. > (And he certainly IS brash and stupid enough.) Mueller is keeping it pretty opaque so both of your opinions seem to me more based on what you probably already thought before it even started. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_fun_ball/32/17664_2.png) [@Happy\_Fun\_Ball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Fun_Ball)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302/20 "2018-01-24T17:36:51Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Mueller is keeping it pretty opaque so both of your opinions seem to me more based on what you probably already thought before it even started. Agreed. I think it is Astorian and Clu-me-in that have nothing. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-may-be-starting-a-trade-war-to-deflect-away-mueller-hot-on-his-trail/807302.md?page=2)