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Chris's avatar

'Tarrifying'? Very punny, Wilde:)

First of all, thank you, Rufus, for your thoughtful and balanced piece on the current tariff panic. In an age where Trump Derangement Syndrome and extreme polarization dominate Western discourse, it's rare to find commentary that attempts genuine analysis rather than reacting to the messenger.

Most mainstream coverage fixates on variations of "orange man bad," completely missing the point. In reality, tariffs — as blunt as they may seem — are not entirely irrational when facing a trade imbalance as massive as the one the U.S. endures today. Dock workers themselves have expressed amazement at the sight of colossal container ships arriving fully loaded from China’s ports — the largest in the world save Singapore — and returning empty. That’s right: not half-empty, but completely empty. The implication is chilling — the U.S. has nothing China wants to buy.

Given that, efforts to reclaim U.S. manufacturing make basic sense. However, as with all things, the devil is in the details. Trump may be right in principle, but the execution has been haphazard. Rather than build consensus with key stakeholders and phase in policy with cooperation, he launched an all-out tariff war on so-called Liberation Day. The result? Chaos. Even if it's ultimately a win, it may prove to be a Pyrrhic one.

What's most striking to me is the lack of real analysis in the media. Beyond the usual inflammatory soundbites, there’s little in the way of grounded commentary. What’s happening now isn’t revolutionary — it’s part of a broader shift already in motion. Countries are rethinking globalization, leaning into friendshoring, and forming regional blocs like ASEAN and BRICS. Even if some manufacturing returns to the U.S., it would have been wiser to target specific subsectors rather than take a scattershot approach.

Singapore offers a useful example. Despite high labor costs and minimal land, they've developed a thriving, high-growth manufacturing sector by focusing on niche areas. If the U.S. blindly forces companies to set up shop domestically without considering costs, infrastructure, or sustainability, they may build a fragile sector propped up only by tariffs.

In summary, while I support the goal of revitalizing American manufacturing, it deserves the deft chisel kf a skilled sculptor— not a sledgehammer.

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Timmy Taes's avatar

Good article. Tariffs are confusing. My friend, Arthur, in Scotland, told me that the Scots are upset about Trump's tariff on Scottish whisky. Whisky is their biggest export.

Probably 12 years ago or so, I read an article by the famous Libertarian writer James Bovard. Back in the day, he and his girlfriend toured Europe.

Bovard found a way into the World Tariff HQ in Basel (maybe Geneva or Zurich, I can't remember), Switzerland.

James found a stack of binders 6" thick, which contained all the tariffs in the world. James decided to liberate this binder and put it in his backpack.

When he returned to his hotel room, James told his girlfriend to pack. They were leaving on the next train to anywhere.

So, yeah, the EU sets tariffs and the US enforces them. Trump is saying "Piss off!" to the EU both in Ukraine, NATO, and tariffs. Trump is getting the Euro-Monkey off of America's back.

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