Friend-
As you may know, last week President Trump announced his intention to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. Simply put, a tariff is a tax on an imported or exported commodity. The president’s particular proposal puts a tariff of 25% on foreign-made steel and 10% on foreign-made aluminum when brought across the U.S. border. There’s been a robust discussion over the past week about the potential costs and benefits of this new trade policy proposal.
Critics of this plan argue that tariffs in and of themselves hurt our economy when it is the consumer hit with the higher price tag in the end. In this case, it is products like beer, cars, and airplanes where Americans could see a price increase passed on to them. Opponents also fear that imposing tariffs could inevitably results in a trade war where other countries retaliate by levying tariffs on American-made goods. In the end, these folks argue that tariffs pose a tremendous cost to American consumers, jobs, and the economy as a whole.
On the other hand, those in favor of levying tariffs argue that they will put American businesses that manufacture steel and aluminum on a level playing field. When other nations produce such commodities at a lower price, sometimes by way of human rights violations or currency devaluation, they flood the United States with cheap goods. When American businesses can’t compete with low foreign prices, they ship those American manufacturing jobs overseas. Proponents believe that these tariffs would allow the U.S. to rebuild its steel and aluminum industry. For instance, tariffs, they say, could help maintain our defense industrial base in the event of war.
Given all of this, I want to know what you think. Do you support the administration’s proposal to impose a 25% tariff on steel and 10% tariff on aluminum?
Yes
No
I don't know
Click here to take the poll.
I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Your opinion helps me shape my thinking as I represent you in Washington.
Sincerely,
Rob
