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n2d404/03/20252 repliesview on HN

The label "tariffs charged to the US" is just straight-up wrong, either due to incompetence or malice (likely to justify the high tariffs).

But basing the tariffs on import/export ratio makes sense if your goal is to be a net exporter with every country, as it discourages imports until that's the case. It's still somewhat arbitrary though; my guess is that the White House is pursuing that goal mostly for political, not economical reasons.


Replies

sorcerer-mar04/03/2025

It's because he thinks trade deficits are somehow a subsidy. He has literally used the terms interchangeably. He's just dumb.

myvoiceismypass04/03/2025

I would love to hear the plan on how the US can be a net exporter of coffee with, say, Indonesia (32% tariff). Perhaps we can take the funds from the tariffs and build mass greenhouses?

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