Tariffs

[TheBenHoyle]

Just a follow up from my earlier post, looks like my company is expecting our cost of goods to go up this year by 23%, higher in some areas and lower in others. But our total spend on the goods we buy will go up 23% this year over last year. That's a big hill to climb.

 

[Handlebar]

I see your point. I certainly don't buy $20 socks. But can you see mine. The stagnation or more likely a decline in the American middle class. Kids today do not have an expectation of doing better than their parents. I don't think it is a lie to suggest that whole swaths of the American public have not been able to succeed. I am not trying to be augmentative for the sake of argument. Are we making semiconductors why did we offshore so much of that to Taiwan?
If the cost of labor is going to be the final determinant for everything. Can anything be made in this country, outside of high tech and defense items?

 

[mevertsen]

I see your point. I certainly don't buy $20 socks. But can you see mine. The stagnation or more likely a decline in the American middle class. Kids today do not have an expectation of doing better than their parents. I don't think it is a lie to suggest that whole swaths of the American public have not been able to succeed. I am not trying to be augmentative for the sake of argument. Are we making semiconductors why did we offshore so much of that to Taiwan?
If the cost of labor is going to be the final determinant for everything. Can anything be made in this country, outside of high tech and defense items?

In regards to your last question.

I say "no"

Not at the current wage, housing, gap.

I just did a search for places in Fernley, NV, which is in a warehouse, inland port building boom right now.

$21 per hour starting wage.
$354k house
$990 monthly minimum for a studio apartment.

I just don't see how the math works.

Bring back manufacturing to the U.S 100 percent, and I would expect prices to rise a lot more on everything gets made here.

 

[SAJ-99]

I see your point. I certainly don't buy $20 socks. But can you see mine. The stagnation or more likely a decline in the American middle class. Kids today do not have an expectation of doing better than their parents. I don't think it is a lie to suggest that whole swaths of the American public have not been able to succeed. I am not trying to be augmentative for the sake of argument. Are we making semiconductors why did we offshore so much of that to Taiwan?
If the cost of labor is going to be the final determinant for everything. Can anything be made in this country, outside of high tech and defense items?

I definitely see your point. I don't know what the answers are, but they won't be easy. We got here because Americans built enough wealth to consume things and enjoy life. Corporations try to shave every cent off costs that they can to increase profits. That is capitalism. It is terrible, but it's better than anything else we have tried. I'm not sure every system doesn't devolve to the rich gaining wealth on the backs of the workers. The middle class either goes up to the rich class or down to the working poor. I would have more faith in this tariff thing being done with the best intentions if there were not simultaneous attacks on unionized labor.

 

[Nick87]

there were not simultaneous attacks on unionized labor.

Has that started now? (more than usual) Serious question.

 

[cgasner1]

Has that started now? (more than usual) Serious question.

Ya in a couple places

 

[Nick87]

Ford to offer employee pricing to customers as auto tariffs go into effect

The company cited "uncertain times" and the "complexities of a changing economy" as the reason for launching the discount.

abc3340.com

 

[SAJ-99]

Has that started now? (more than usual) Serious question.

Started with reversing Biden's rule on expanding who could get paid overtime. Last week has signed an EO to eliminate collective bargaining for employees at a bunch of federal agencies for "security reasons". Pretty much to game plan in Project 2025. Not exactly pro-worker.

 

[Nick87]

rule on expanding who could get paid overtim

For public sector?

 

[SAJ-99]

For public sector?

Yes. Since I can remember (not sure of origination), the Dept of Labor can define what is an eligible employee (hourly/OT) and what is an exempt employee. Biden rule said you could use salary level as a proxy for duties. It is complicated. Trump has to defend the Biden action in order to change the rule.

 

[406dn]

I definitely see your point. I don't know what the answers are, but they won't be easy. We got here because Americans built enough wealth to consume things and enjoy life. Corporations try to shave every cent off costs that they can to increase profits. That is capitalism. It is terrible, but it's better than anything else we have tried. I'm not sure every system doesn't devolve to the rich gaining wealth on the backs of the workers. The middle class either goes up to the rich class or down to the working poor. I would have more faith in this tariff thing being done with the best intentions if there were not simultaneous attacks on unionized labor.

Also, a big reason behind these tariffs, is to extend and make permanent the tax cuts from his first term.

Tump has been very skillful in talking to the working class, while he takes care of the class he is in.

 

[mtmiller]

Ford to offer employee pricing to customers as auto tariffs go into effect

The company cited "uncertain times" and the "complexities of a changing economy" as the reason for launching the discount.

abc3340.com

With nearly 200k 2024 models and 122 days supply sitting in lots, something had to be done to reduce inventory. That being said, if Super Duty was included, I would be shopping.

 

[SAJ-99]

Also, a big reason behind these tariffs, is to extend and make permanent the tax cuts from his first term.

Tump has been very skillful in talking to the working class, while he takes care of the class he is in.

Yeah. I am convinced that this point that Congress is just going to make numbers up (more than usual) to get it through. I sure wouldn't bet a nickel on those TCJA tax cuts expiring. They will pug in money from federal land sales, made up numbers from taxes collected on tariffs, and, of course, the expectation for GDP growth. Reality has no place in Washington these days.

 

[Nick87]

With nearly 200k 2024 models and 122 days supply sitting in lots, something had to be done to reduce inventory. That being said, if Super Duty was included, I would be shopping.

Getting close myself. Just gotta figure out a way to pay for it.

 

[Redmt]

Getting close myself. Just gotta figure out a way to pay for it.

I would love to have a new(er) f350 Power Stroke extended cab. If you guys would start a go fund me I will promise to try and not say anything stupid for 2 years.

 

[SAJ-99]

Tump has been very skillful in talking to the working class, while he takes care of the class he is in.

He mentioned he may cut China a deal if they sell Tik Tok. LOL. The grift is the purpose for all of this. He doesn't know anything else.

 

[devon deer]

I'm just pissed I have to pay another 10% for my Jack Daniels

 

[Redmt]

I'm just pissed I have to pay another 10% for my Jack Daniels

If you drink enough of it you won't care.

 

[Sytes]

I'm not a fan whizzing on our northern neighbor. They've always fought along side us and we hold positive relations as neighbors. That said, we've not held equitable trade though this should be managed via typical internal negotiations. However, that would discount the executive interest for the aggressive tariffs...
Loose Canadian/U.S. border.
One hell of a long border far, FAR longer and a fraction of border control than the short span along the Mexican border. Fentanyl among other trafficked values (inc. human) the southern border countries (MX and SA) supply our 350,000,000.

Here's the deal: Our various agencies intel is correct. Cartels exploit vulnerabilities. Access to Canada's population as well, and more importantly, the nexus to America's population. Seaports in Vancouver and Montreal are extremely weak for CBSA staffing. The land border between U.S. and Canada, 5,500 miles! The LONGEST bordering country in the world! CBP is up-ing their game, CBSA has begun to up theirs as well. Both are resilient though Canada is behind the times. Seaports in Vancouver to Montreal are over-run by the criminal element. Recently put to a stop (Thanks to Trump's rhetoric, as unfortunate as that sounds) Canada has begun to put a lid on immigrants to their country. Again, a great country and our valued neighbor. This is the nature of criminal organizations. Exploit weakness. Our Northern border is exposed due to the nexus through Canada.

As far as several countries that have taken advantage of America, it's about time. A few here throw around the words, "free trade"... this has not been the case and for far too long.

Reciprocal trade is fair trade. Not running companies out of the U.S. to maintain a competitive price with mass cheap, unregulated labor. We have become addicted to Chinese and other countries cheap labor. We should be paying more. That's the reality, IMO. There is an ethical value towards OSHA (if they don't get gutted), the safety and security our country offers our workforce. This cost money. China, on the other hand, cheap labor - and THAT is what we are addicted to.

In keeping as unpolitical as the OP requests, the command is a bully, much like a few bullies here. Personal ridicule attacks that certainly holds the opposite effect, though sure excites the follower's pom pom cheers, aside from strongarming countries to the table.

 

[Redmt]

We buy cheaper chinese products. Many are clones that are cheaper knockoffs of American products. We bitch when they don't last or break prematurely, yet we still buy them. Just possibly people will have the choice between cheap/inferior foreign made products and higher quality American products at the same price. Hopefully the American manufacturing industry can catch up and start manufacturing higher quality products again. Maybe
FYI, I run an older Cat dozer. When something inevitably breaks or wears out I don't even consider non-Cat parts that may or may not fit and definitely will wear out or break sooner.