Liberal Forum

Help me to understand how a tariff is nothing but a government money grab that inserts itself between a manufacturer and an importer. 

The supply line looks like this: Manufacturer-Importer-Retailer-Consumer. The government has already positioned itself between the retailer and the consumer, now it wants another revenue stream by inserting itself between the manufacturer and the importer....with the consumer ultimately paying the final price.

The only positive that I see is that American companies avoid the tariff or more accurately, the import tax. The problem is that won't be enough to offset cheaper foreign products.

When I see China writing checks to Uncle Sam, maybe I'll re-think the process.
 

There are no tariffs on American made products. Lowering corporate taxes and imposing tariffs on goods built overseas is a GREAT idea. It produces jobs here and let's us control our own supply. Eliminating a lot of stupid regulations and lowering corp. tax helps make American business competitive.

RebelGator » 09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am

Help me to understand how a tariff is nothing but a government money grab that inserts itself between a manufacturer and an importer. 

The supply line looks like this: Manufacturer-Importer-Retailer-Consumer. The government has already positioned itself between the retailer and the consumer, now it wants another revenue stream by inserting itself between the manufacturer and the importer....with the consumer ultimately paying the final price.

The only positive that I see is that American companies avoid the tariff or more accurately, the import tax. The problem is that won't be enough to offset cheaper foreign products.

When I see China writing checks to Uncle Sam, maybe I'll re-think the process.

Cheap Chinese goods were so ridiculously cheap that it was hard to find anything made in the USA, if not impossible. 
I am guilty of being a frequent customer of Harbor Freight....but if you gave me no choice but  to buy  American stuff I would have still managed.
[Those $15 HF spray guns were the best deal ever though...I've painted 2 cars with those.]
 

RebelGator » 09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am

Help me to understand how a tariff is nothing but a government money grab that inserts itself between a manufacturer and an importer. 

The supply line looks like this: Manufacturer-Importer-Retailer-Consumer. The government has already positioned itself between the retailer and the consumer, now it wants another revenue stream by inserting itself between the manufacturer and the importer....with the consumer ultimately paying the final price.

The only positive that I see is that American companies avoid the tariff or more accurately, the import tax. The problem is that won't be enough to offset cheaper foreign products.

When I see China writing checks to Uncle Sam, maybe I'll re-think the process.

Would you like the scent of crullers to go with that whiff of coffee?



 

Blackvegetable » 09 Dec 2025, 12:02 pm » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 12:02 pm

Would you like the scent of crullers to go with that whiff of coffee?

Thanks for your participation in the thread.

PhiloBeddo » 09 Dec 2025, 11:46 am » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 11:46 am

There are no tariffs on American made products. Lowering corporate taxes and imposing tariffs on goods built overseas is a GREAT idea. It produces jobs here and let's us control our own supply. Eliminating a lot of stupid regulations and lowering corp. tax helps make American business competitive.

Yes, I addressed all that, Phil.

I still can't see how tariffs will do anything but fuel inflation.

Until China starts paying on their end, I can't see the tariffs as a good idea.

Other countries have high tariffs on us and they always have. Why should we always pay and not get paid? Fair trade is all we ask.

RebelGator » 09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am

Help me to understand how a tariff is nothing but a government money grab that inserts itself between a manufacturer and an importer. 

The supply line looks like this: Manufacturer-Importer-Retailer-Consumer. The government has already positioned itself between the retailer and the consumer, now it wants another revenue stream by inserting itself between the manufacturer and the importer....with the consumer ultimately paying the final price.

The only positive that I see is that American companies avoid the tariff or more accurately, the import tax. The problem is that won't be enough to offset cheaper foreign products.

When I see China writing checks to Uncle Sam, maybe I'll re-think the process.

Let me try to explain...

A Tariff is not really a tax... it's a really a "USER fee" that foreign countries and manufacturers pay for the ability or sell their good into the American market.  America is the LARGEST Free Market in the WORLD, and is something like 50% of the rest of the world combined!  MANY companies (and their countries of origin) will just PAY the reasonable tariff ( say 10%)... in order to sell their goods into America, and will STILL make money, and feel that "ITS A DEAL" to do so... and THAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA !

ALSO, if foreign can companies bring their manufacturing into America (or if they already have manufacturing here)... then, Tariffs DO NOT APPLY !  You might have seen that America has gotten something like $20 Trillion of new investment into America from foreign nations all over the world (since Trump announced the tariffs)... and THAT is because foreign companies are going to start to build their products IN America, pay American taxes, and hire American workers to do it... and TARIFFS do not apply... and THAT IS ALSO GOOD FOR AMERICA !

HOWEVER, if they don't (or can't)... then Americans Consumers can either find another manufacturer and NOT pay the tariff, or pay the tariff if there are no other manufacturers... BUT...  it ALSO becomes an "incentive" to American companies (usually smaller companies) to fill the void and to start BUILDING similar products in America... and THAT IS ALSO GOOD FOR AMERICA !

What's also interesting is that MANY foreign nations impose tariffs on American products... WHY?  BECAUSE it keeps American products OUT, and spurs MORE and NEW manufacturing in THEIR OWN countries... They also have the choice to NOT, but it protects their manufacturers, and it's GOOD for THEIR economy...

ALL & ALL, tariffs are a GREAT thing for America... it FORCES other counties to play fair, and will NOT let them MAXIMIZE their profits at the EXPENSE of America.  BUT, if they want to sell into the American market?  THEY CAN... for a fee !!   WHY would America EVER SCREW themselves, and NOT let tariffs to be used strategically... FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ??

ConservativeWave » 09 Dec 2025, 4:52 pm » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 4:52 pm

Let me try to explain...

A Tariff is not really a tax... it's a really a "USER fee" that foreign countries and manufacturers pay for the ability or sell their good into the American market.  America is the LARGEST Free Market in the WORLD, and is something like 50% of the rest of the world combined!  MANY companies (and their countries of origin) will just PAY the reasonable tariff ( say 10%)... in order to sell their goods into America, and will STILL make money, and feel that "ITS A DEAL" to do so... and THAT IS GOOD FOR AMERICA !

ALSO, if foreign can companies bring their manufacturing into America (or if they already have manufacturing here)... then, Tariffs DO NOT APPLY !  You might have seen that America has gotten something like $20 Trillion of new investment into America from foreign nations all over the world (since Trump announced the tariffs)... and THAT is because foreign companies are going to start to build their products IN America, pay American taxes, and hire American workers to do it... and TARIFFS do not apply... and THAT IS ALSO GOOD FOR AMERICA !

HOWEVER, if they don't (or can't)... then Americans Consumers can either find another manufacturer and NOT pay the tariff, or pay the tariff if there are no other manufacturers... BUT...  it ALSO becomes an "incentive" to American companies (usually smaller companies) to fill the void and to start BUILDING similar products in America... and THAT IS ALSO GOOD FOR AMERICA !

What's also interesting is that MANY foreign nations impose tariffs on American products... WHY?  BECAUSE it keeps American products OUT, and spurs MORE and NEW manufacturing in THEIR OWN countries... They also have the choice to NOT, but it protects their manufacturers, and it's GOOD for THEIR economy...

ALL & ALL, tariffs are a GREAT thing for America... it FORCES other counties to play fair, and will NOT let them MAXIMIZE their profits at the EXPENSE of America.  BUT, if they want to sell into the American market?  THEY CAN... for a fee !!   WHY would America EVER SCREW themselves, and NOT let tariffs to be used strategically... FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ??

yes....Tariffs are an entry fee or a pay to play in America's economy....no one is forcing them to sell their stuff here

 

RebelGator » 09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am

Help me to understand how a tariff is nothing but a government money grab that inserts itself between a manufacturer and an importer. 

The supply line looks like this: Manufacturer-Importer-Retailer-Consumer. The government has already positioned itself between the retailer and the consumer, now it wants another revenue stream by inserting itself between the manufacturer and the importer....with the consumer ultimately paying the final price.

The only positive that I see is that American companies avoid the tariff or more accurately, the import tax. The problem is that won't be enough to offset cheaper foreign products.

When I see China writing checks to Uncle Sam, maybe I'll re-think the process.

Welcome tto WOKEism.   BITE us toothless.   Your an election short and $300 Billion dollars gone like a frieght train to fat cat oligarchs.

Tarriffs in part destroyed our small town enterprise. The entire Industrial Refrigeration for Food and Beverage is hurting.  But Data Centers are hot to stay cool. It's still cheaper for US customers to go to our  Canadian Facility for built equipment.  I think there are some loopholes they benefit from. All I really know is our place has died and that place thrives.
 

RebelGator » 09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am » wrote: ↑

09 Dec 2025, 8:24 am

Help me to understand how a tariff is nothing but a government money grab that inserts itself between a manufacturer and an importer. 

The supply line looks like this: Manufacturer-Importer-Retailer-Consumer. The government has already positioned itself between the retailer and the consumer, now it wants another revenue stream by inserting itself between the manufacturer and the importer....with the consumer ultimately paying the final price.

The only positive that I see is that American companies avoid the tariff or more accurately, the import tax. The problem is that won't be enough to offset cheaper foreign products.

When I see China writing checks to Uncle Sam, maybe I'll re-think the process.

It's definitely a double edged sword...

this has been in the making for 60 years and not an easy overnight fix since manufacturing rode out of town on the "cheap labor" train...

until the "buy American" impacts foreign importers takes hold, there's gonna be some pain...
 

ROG62 » 10 Dec 2025, 8:58 am » wrote: ↑

10 Dec 2025, 8:58 am

It's definitely a double edged sword...

this has been in the making for 60 years and not an easy overnight fix since manufacturing rode out of town on the "cheap labor" train...

until the "buy American" impacts foreign importers takes hold, there's gonna be some pain...

What happens after "the pain"?

Blackvegetable » 10 Dec 2025, 9:10 am » wrote: ↑

10 Dec 2025, 9:10 am

What happens after "the pain"?

why are you so stupid, brown, WHY?
 

ROG62 » 10 Dec 2025, 1:41 pm » wrote: ↑

10 Dec 2025, 1:41 pm

why are you so stupid, brown, WHY?

Coward, please...

Gird your flabby loins and state your case...
 

Blackvegetable » 10 Dec 2025, 1:42 pm » wrote: ↑

10 Dec 2025, 1:42 pm

Coward, please...

Gird your flabby loins and state your case...

     

"noted"     
 

Blackvegetable » 10 Dec 2025, 1:42 pm » wrote: ↑

10 Dec 2025, 1:42 pm

Coward, please...

Gird your flabby loins and state your case...

why, brown? You NEVER do...