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Trying a different path on trade: Our view
admin//March 16, 2018//
Listen to this articleHis style may be blunt and fall outside of the conventions we have come to expect of our elected officials. But our existing levers of power and established approaches have not created the kinds of prosperity we know this country is capable of producing for its citizens.
It is with these thoughts in mind that we consider President Trump’s order to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum coming into the U.S. from other countries, with some notable exceptions.
No one should be surprised Trump has pushed this issue. During the campaign, he proclaimed his backing for the domestic steel and aluminum industries. And as a business owner and citizen, he has talked for decades about his disdain for unfair trade practices.
Few economists dispute that some countries, such as China, cheat when it comes to dumping government-backed and -financed steel on the United States.
It is a practice that may lead to less-expensive products for consumers, but we are getting lower prices from a rigged system. We commend Trump for calling out such issues and pushing world markets in the direction of a fair and level playing field.
But as in all public policy decisions, winners and losers will emerge. Harley Davidson, which operates a large plant in York County, has been singled out among companies that could suffer if a trade war erupts.
But a trade war is not a given, and Trump has seemed flexible in his approach to how tariffs may be applied, again following through on his rhetoric to go easier on countries that compete fairly.
While Trump’s unorthodox approaches can be unsettling, they have led to headway in unexpected areas, such as the softening of tone coming from North Korea.
Voices from numerous directions have been sharply critical of Trump’s call for tariffs, and indeed the levies may end up wounding our economy.
But if there is a better way to begin fixing the deeper wound to our economy from unfair trade practices, we all should be open to suggestions from wherever they may arise.
