logoalt Hacker News

ccorcos04/03/20254 repliesview on HN

I really want to read a good response to this comment. I have the same questions, and I’ll add one more thought.

Lots of people talk about how the US should be more like Europe. People say the average European has a better quality of life, etc. Well, Europe has tariffs…


Replies

horsawlarway04/03/2025

So does the US??? Ex - we've been placing tariffs on solar/ev parts for many years now to drive investment in those industries (And this is hardly the only place we've done this).

Targeted tariffs to protect and strengthen specific industries are fine - especially if done slowly and while supporting those industries internally to make sure that they aren't disrupted, and that they can actually capitalize on the space provided by a tariff.

---

This policy is not fucking that. It's just a backdoor tax on everyone, with zero planning and support internally to bring those industries back.

Simple terms for your simple comment:

A morbidly obese guy slowly exercising is great.

A morbidly obese guy getting dropped into a marathon with no prep is a recipe for a heart attack.

qingcharles04/03/2025

Europe has tariffs. Everywhere has tariffs. Europe doesn't have tariffs like this.

Europe has higher taxes. But, somehow, despite the inefficiencies of governments, this produces a happier populace who work less and vacation more.

ViewTrick100204/03/2025

Europe has tariffs pretty much in line with the US. The weighted average tariff for the EU is 2.7% and 2.2% for the US.

There's of course the opportunity to get those in line, but that requires negotiations.

show 2 replies
wesapien04/04/2025

Tarrifs can be useful in protecting your players in an new industry. In specific situations not using it like carpet bombing.

Thomas Sowell who is 94 has some wisdom to share: https://x.com/HooverInst/status/1907630250135273527?ref_src=...