# Will Trump's tariffs help him in the next presidential election? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 9, 2018, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285 "2018-03-09T15:59:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Rysto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecccb3/32.png) [@Rysto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysto)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/81 "2018-04-15T17:38:29Z")
Because Trump didn’t impose tariffs on _Chinese_ steel? He instead imposed tariffs on all steel regardless of its origin, although eventually backpedaled and exempted some countries. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/82 "2018-04-15T18:22:56Z")
And, cite on anyone here saying that it’s fine for the EU? Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t, but I expect most Dopers aren’t too engaged in that situation. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2018, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/83 "2018-04-15T18:32:36Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > Why is it fine that the EU imposes tariffs on Chinese steel because of dumping allegations but wrong when Trump does it? > > [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-china-steel/eu-extends-duties-on-stainless-steel-pipes-from-china-idUSKCN1GI1HC](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-china-steel/eu-extends-duties-on-stainless-steel-pipes-from-china-idUSKCN1GI1HC) > > :rolleyes: Why do we care what the EU does? Why don’t you care that Trump used Chinese metals in his buildings? Why don’t you care that not a single item (except his MAGA items) that Trump sells is made in this country? ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2018, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/84 "2018-04-16T11:03:09Z")
Still waiting for **Silver lining** to come back and tell us how well the whole tariff thing is working out. ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2018, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/85 "2018-04-22T23:47:39Z")
"Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he supports President Trump’s efforts to pressure China on trade issues. Schumer told New York AM 970 radio host John Catsimatidis that he credits Trump with “squeezing China,” adding that the president is " **on the right path, particularly with the intellectual property."** My bold. > **[Schumer backs Trump approach to China: He’s ‘on the right path’](https://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/384291-schumer-backs-trump-on-approach-to-china-hes-on-the-right-path/)** > > Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he supports President Trump’s efforts to pressure China on trade issues.Schumer told New York AM 970 radio host John Catsimatidis that he … ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/86 "2018-04-23T00:02:47Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > "Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said he supports President Trump’s efforts to pressure China on trade issues. > > Schumer told New York AM 970 radio host John Catsimatidis that he credits Trump with “squeezing China,” adding that the president is " **on the right path, particularly with the intellectual property."** My bold. > > [Schumer backs Trump approach to China: He’s ‘on the right path’](http://thehill.com/homenews/sunday-talk-shows/384291-schumer-backs-trump-on-approach-to-china-hes-on-the-right-path) Intellectual property is not the same as material goods. And Trump was all in favor of buying cheap metals from China until he started running for President. Are you aware that other than his MAGA merchandise, all his products are made outside of the US? Maybe he should lead by example. ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/87 "2018-05-21T01:10:00Z")
More winning by Trump. I’m surprised this hasn’t been posted sooner. Not really. LOL. [https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-china-agree-abandon-trade-war-beijing-043915337.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-china-agree-abandon-trade-war-beijing-043915337.html) **US, China agree to abandon trade war: Beijing** “Washington and Beijing have agreed to abandon any trade war and back off from imposing tariffs on each other, Chinese state media reported Sunday.” “An earlier joint statement issued in Washington said Beijing would **“significantly”** increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details.” “There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China,” the joint statement said. “To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services.” My bolding. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/88 "2018-05-21T09:26:34Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > More winning by Trump. I’m surprised this hasn’t been posted sooner. Not really. LOL. > > [https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-china-agree-abandon-trade-war-beijing-043915337.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-china-agree-abandon-trade-war-beijing-043915337.html) > > **US, China agree to abandon trade war: Beijing** > > “Washington and Beijing have agreed to abandon any trade war and back off from imposing tariffs on each other, Chinese state media reported Sunday.” > > “An earlier joint statement issued in Washington said Beijing would **“significantly”** increase its purchases of American goods, but offered few details.” > > “There was a consensus on taking effective measures to substantially reduce the United States trade deficit in goods with China,” the joint statement said. > > “To meet the growing consumption needs of the Chinese people and the need for high-quality economic development, China will significantly increase purchases of United States goods and services.” > > My bolding. Because both sides always keep their promises. Ri-ight. That sound you just heard was Trump running (not walking) back his previously stupid action. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a8b319/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_wuzzy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/89 "2018-05-21T11:30:55Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Because both sides always keep their promises. Ri-ight. That sound you just heard was Trump running (not walking) back his previously stupid action. This is typically partisan stuff. As far as I know no increased sanctions had been placed on China by Trump, only the threat of future sanctions. Negotiations have taken place and a compromise of sorts has been reached. Sure, let’s wait until the details are published but the direction of travel on this ‘agreement’ is encouraging.It certainly suggests the pearl clutchers on this thread were wrong. ---
**Author:** ![LAZombie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b38774/32.png) [@LAZombie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LAZombie)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/90 "2018-05-21T14:22:23Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > This is typically partisan stuff. As far as I know no increased sanctions had been placed on China by Trump, only the threat of future sanctions. Negotiations have taken place and a compromise of sorts has been reached. Sure, let’s wait until the details are published but the direction of travel on this ‘agreement’ is encouraging.It certainly suggests the pearl clutchers on this thread were wrong. The reality is that the trade deficit was neither wholly negative or wholly positive for either party. China has matured as an economy, and Trump basically nudged China along the path she was already taking. I think both sides win in this situation. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2018, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/91 "2018-05-21T15:53:23Z")
> [@LAZombie](#): > > More winning by Trump. I’m surprised this hasn’t been posted sooner. Not really. LOL. > > [https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-china-agree-abandon-trade-war-beijing-043915337.html](https://www.yahoo.com/news/us-china-agree-abandon-trade-war-beijing-043915337.html) > > **US, China agree to abandon trade war: Beijing** > > “Washington and Beijing have agreed to abandon any trade war and back off from imposing tariffs on each other, Chinese state media reported Sunday.” Funny how this happened just a few days after a Chinese state-owned corporation [agreed to make a major investment](http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/15/news/companies/trump-organization-indonesia-china-project/index.html) in a project that the Trump Organization has a substantial interest in. “Charley Hustle, you bet!” - Chico Escuela ---
**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:** [May 21, 2018, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/92 "2018-05-21T16:45:34Z")
> [@Fuzzy\_wuzzy](#): > > This is typically partisan stuff. As far as I know no increased sanctions had been placed on China by Trump, only the threat of future sanctions. Negotiations have taken place and a compromise of sorts has been reached. Sure, let’s wait until the details are published but the direction of travel on this ‘agreement’ is encouraging.It certainly suggests the pearl clutchers on this thread were wrong. Uh, it is very easy to hit a straw man, what many are pointing out is that the tariffs that Trump proposed or his say so that “we can win a trade war” were very dumb things. His staff managed to convince Trump to pull back. > [@LAZombie](#): > > The reality is that the trade deficit was neither wholly negative or wholly positive for either party. China has matured as an economy, and Trump basically nudged China along the path she was already taking. I think both sides win in this situation. And one has to add that there was damage anyhow just by the clownish moves of Trump. [http://time.com/5270271/china-cutting-soybean-purchases-after-tariff-threats/](http://time.com/5270271/china-cutting-soybean-purchases-after-tariff-threats/) > [@](#): > > (WASHINGTON) — With the threat of tariffs and counter-tariffs between Washington and Beijing looming, Chinese buyers are canceling orders for U.S. soybeans, a trend that could deal a blow to American farmers if it continues. > At the same time, farmers in China are being encouraged to plant more soy, apparently to help make up for any shortfall from the United States. > Beijing has included soybeans on a list of $50 billion of U.S. exports on which it has said it would impose 25 percent tariffs if the United States follows through on its threats to impose the same level of tariffs on the same value of Chinese goods. The U.S. tariffs could kick in later this month; China would likely retaliate soon after. > It can take a month or longer for soybean shipments to travel from the U.S. to China. Any soybeans en route to China now could be hit by the tariff by the time they arrive. > “The Chinese aren’t willing to buy US soybeans with a 25 percent tax hanging over their head,” said Dan Basse, president of AgResource, an agricultural research and advisory firm. “You just don’t want the risk.” As pointed, more damage has been averted now, but as they did say in WWII: “Was this trip really necessary?” The right wing info sources in the USA are not really sounding logical if they insist that Trump is so great when what is going on is that they are congratulating a bully that when called for his dumb move, falls for the explanation that he is now a winner for not tossing farmers or others under the bus as he was willing to do. It is like a plane pilot that manages to save the plane and the passengers and it’s called a hero, but it was found later that the “hero” made a very dumb mistake that caused the emergency in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/93 "2018-05-22T21:32:05Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > …As pointed, more damage has been averted now, but as they did say in WWII: “Was this trip really necessary?” Yes, it worked like a charm for Trump’s supporters: OUR GUY IS REALLY STRONG! STRONGEST IN THE SCHOOLYARD, NYAH NYAH NYAH! YOUR GUY ISN’T ANYWHERE NEAR AS STRONG! etc. > [@GIGObuster](#): > > The right wing info sources in the USA are not really sounding logical if they insist that Trump is so great when what is going on is that they are congratulating a bully that when called for his dumb move, falls for the explanation that he is now a winner for not tossing farmers or others under the bus as he was willing to do… But you’re not accounting for the infinite capacity for double-think possessed by Trump’s supporters. They are impressed by the bullying and posturing. And they easily manage to ignore the ignominious walk-back. They love it. It’s only people who value facts, logic, and consistency who fail to be thrilled by this sort of thing. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2018, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/94 "2018-05-22T21:56:52Z")
[Chances of China Trade Win Undercut by Trump Team Infighting](https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/21/us/politics/trump-trade-china.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage) Here’s a [Twitter thread](https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/998867045503643648.html) from Ilan Goldenberg detailing the missteps. Some highlights: [ul] [li]Failure to prepare[/li][li]Taking away your negotiating space[/li][li]Taking away your opponent’s negotiating space[/li][li]etc[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2018, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/95 "2018-05-23T14:59:03Z")
Trump’s evil is surpassed only by his incompetence. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/96 "2018-05-24T02:59:56Z")
[Trump proposes 25% tariff on imported cars.](https://www.politico.com/story/2018/05/23/trump-tariffs-car-imports-national-security-567581) Damn the consequences, America first! ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/97 "2018-05-24T05:45:01Z")
Like I said in the Amazon thread, the more he worries rich and powerful people, the better, I say. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2018, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/98 "2018-05-24T15:44:35Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Like I said in the Amazon thread, the more he worries rich and powerful people, the better, I say. If you can’t beat 'em… find someone his own size. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2018, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/99 "2018-05-26T21:34:58Z")
> [@Leaper](#): > > Like I said in the Amazon thread, the more he worries rich and powerful people, the better, I say. Yeah, it’s the only way anything will happen to rid the world of the threat posed by the malign clown. Congress and/or members of the Cabinet could be moved by the exhortations of the mega-billionaires—and by nothing else. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [May 26, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285/100 "2018-05-26T21:40:23Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > Trump’s evil is surpassed only by his incompetence. Dunno, he’s pretty ugly too. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-trumps-tariffs-help-him-in-the-next-presidential-election/810285.md?page=6)