Free Traders Case For Tariffs

[o_mlly]

That is tariff policy, not industrial policy.

Nope. What are your definitions for each?

Do you have a summary? No one is going to watch a multi-hour hearing that may not have anything connection to reality.

The clip is not multi-hour.

(staff edit)

 

[7thKeeper]

The clip is not multi-hour.

It's a 1 hour and 45+ minutes long video. I think that counts as multihour, close enough at least.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

The tariffs are not imposed on all countries.

Executive Order 14257 lists that the reciprocal tariffs apply to those countries whose "Trade Practices ... Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits." Vietnam is in that category.

As to Bangladesh, I did not find any specific EO's regarding tariffs. Perhaps you could share?

https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Annex-I.pdf

This is directly from white House official site.

 

[o_mlly]

None of which addresses the the affordability of cars. Nearly 80 percent of cars priced at less than $30,000 will be subject to 25 percent tariffs,

Then more than 20% of imported cars will remain affordable.

The auto tariffs are intended to bring those car exporters to the negotiating table. And it seems to be working.

 

[Hans Blaster]

Nope. What are your definitions for each?

Policy for fostering industry. Illegally throwing tariffs on nearly all imported goods is not "industrial policy".

(staff edit)

 

[o_mlly]

It's a 1 hour and 45+ minutes long video. I think that counts as multihour, close enough at least.

Close enough, eh? No, 1 hour 45 minutes is not "multi-hour".

This is directly from white House official site.

Thanks.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh held its first elections in 7 years, in December 2008 and the Awami League won a landslide victory in these elections. The new Government of Bangladesh (GOB) is headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League.

ustr.gov

U.S. total goods trade with Bangladesh were an estimated $10.6 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to Bangladesh in 2024 were $2.2 billion, down 1.5 percent ($34.0 million) from 2023. U.S. goods imports from Bangladesh totaled $8.4 billion in 2024, up 1.1 percent ($89.3 million) from 2023. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Bangladesh was $6.2 billion in 2024, a 2 percent increase ($123.2 million) over 2023.​

And the tariff is working to its intended end:

Bangladesh moves to deal with US tariff shock

As new US tariffs shake global trade routes, Bangladesh is pursuing a plan to reduce its trade imbalance with the US through targeted import increases, regulatory reforms and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Bangladesh is not panicking and may even stand to gain, officials said yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Now the Bangladesh government is seeking to open formal negotiations with the USTR to secure relief from the newly imposed tariffs and address the trade imbalance between the two countries.

 

[o_mlly]

Illegally throwing tariffs on nearly all imported goods ...

What jurisprudence can you cite that renders tariffs illegal?

 

[o_mlly]

If there is no summary, then it is useless.

Nonsense.

Policy for fostering industry.

And you're claiming that the tariffs do not foster industry in the US? Wrong.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Close enough, eh? No, 1 hour 45 minutes is not "multi-hour".

Thanks.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh held its first elections in 7 years, in December 2008 and the Awami League won a landslide victory in these elections. The new Government of Bangladesh (GOB) is headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League.

ustr.gov

U.S. total goods trade with Bangladesh were an estimated $10.6 billion in 2024. U.S. goods exports to Bangladesh in 2024 were $2.2 billion, down 1.5 percent ($34.0 million) from 2023. U.S. goods imports from Bangladesh totaled $8.4 billion in 2024, up 1.1 percent ($89.3 million) from 2023. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Bangladesh was $6.2 billion in 2024, a 2 percent increase ($123.2 million) over 2023.​

And the tariff is working to its intended end:

Bangladesh moves to deal with US tariff shock

As new US tariffs shake global trade routes, Bangladesh is pursuing a plan to reduce its trade imbalance with the US through targeted import increases, regulatory reforms and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Bangladesh is not panicking and may even stand to gain, officials said yesterday.

www.thedailystar.net

Now the Bangladesh government is seeking to open formal negotiations with the USTR to secure relief from the newly imposed tariffs and address the trade imbalance between the two countries.

As I mentioned earlier, even if Bangladesh removes all import taxes on US products, it won't affect the trade deficit with the US. You agreed that imposing or removing tariffs on developing nations won’t make a difference. Now, you are contradicting your own statement in post #370.

 

[o_mlly]

As I mentioned earlier, even if Bangladesh removes all import taxes on US products, it won't affect the trade deficit with the US.

Incorrect. The reported trade imbalance in 2024 $6.2 billion. That's a big number. We have agricultural products that Bangladesh could import to reduce that imbalance.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-urges-trump-delay-tariff-citing-moves-boost-imports-us-2025-04-07/

[Bangladesh] now focusing on increasing imports of U.S. agricultural produce including cotton, wheat, corn and soybeans.

You agreed that imposing or removing tariffs on developing nations won’t make a difference.

No. Please use the forum's quote utility to see your error.

Now, you are contradicting your own statement in post #370.

No. Please use the forum's quote utility to see your error.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Incorrect. The reported trade imbalance in 2024 $6.2 billion. That's a big number. We have agricultural products that Bangladesh could import to reduce that imbalance.

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/bangladesh-urges-trump-delay-tariff-citing-moves-boost-imports-us-2025-04-07/

[Bangladesh] now focusing on increasing imports of U.S. agricultural produce including cotton, wheat, corn and soybeans.

No. Please use the forum's quote utility to see your error.

No. Please use the forum's quote utility to see your error.

may be you need to remind your own post
see the high light you wrote yourself .

again, i will ask the same question - How can citizens in a country where 90% earn less than $3 USD afford US-made products?

 

[o_mlly]

may be you need to remind your own post
see the high light you wrote yourself .

Maybe you need to refresh your reading skills. "... will not solve ..." does not equate in meaning to "... won’t make a difference ...".

again, i will ask the same question - How can citizens in a country where 90% earn less than $3 USD afford US-made products?

I will ask you - How can citizens not properly feed themselves when other countries have surplus agriculture products to export to them?

Bangladesh ranks 191 out of 192 in obesity rates.

Obesity - adult prevalence rate Comparison - The World Factbook

www.cia.gov

191

Bangladesh

3.6

2016 est.

State of Bangladesh Food Security: Key Findings from IFPRI’s “Food Security and Nutrition in Bangladesh” Report – BDevInsights

bdevinsights.com

Food is more than sustenance. It is a cornerstone of human dignity and the foundation of national progress. In Bangladesh, a country that has achieved remarkable economic growth and poverty reduction over the last several decades, food security remains a persistent challenge. Despite a sharp decline in poverty—from 40% of the population in 2005 to 18.7% in 2022—millions of Bangladeshis still struggle with consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food, particularly in geographically vulnerable regions and among marginalized groups.​

 

[DaisyDay]

The tariffs are not imposed on all countries.

True - I believe that Russia, Russia, Russia and North Korea were excepted.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Maybe you need to refresh your reading skills. "... will not solve ..." does not equate in meaning to "... won’t make a difference ...".

I will ask you - How can citizens not properly feed themselves when other countries have surplus agriculture products to export to them?

Bangladesh ranks 191 out of 192 in obesity rates.

Obesity - adult prevalence rate Comparison - The World Factbook

www.cia.gov

191

Bangladesh

3.6

2016 est.

State of Bangladesh Food Security: Key Findings from IFPRI’s “Food Security and Nutrition in Bangladesh” Report – BDevInsights

bdevinsights.com

Food is more than sustenance. It is a cornerstone of human dignity and the foundation of national progress. In Bangladesh, a country that has achieved remarkable economic growth and poverty reduction over the last several decades, food security remains a persistent challenge. Despite a sharp decline in poverty—from 40% of the population in 2005 to 18.7% in 2022—millions of Bangladeshis still struggle with consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food, particularly in geographically vulnerable regions and among marginalized groups.​

Again, i will ask the same question - How can citizens in a country where 90% earn less than $3 USD afford US-made products?

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Nonsense.

And you're claiming that the tariffs do not foster industry in the US? Wrong.

You are contradicting yourself. You say that imposing tariffs on foreign goods will increase manufacturing, but why does the Trump administration want to make deals with foreign countries ?

The U.S. cannot balance the trade deficit and simultaneously bring jobs back to America. Balancing the trade deficit requires opening our market to foreign countries, allowing them to sell products here while they reciprocate. However, "Made in America" products are often more expensive than those from developing nations, which means their consumers won’t buy American products if cheaper alternatives exist. Thus, pursuing free trade and balancing the trade deficit does not lead to job creation in America.

 

[7thKeeper]

True - I believe that Russia, Russia, Russia and North Korea were excepted.

Belarus too, if I remember correctly.

 

[o_mlly]

How can citizens in a country where 90% earn less than $3 USD afford US-made products?

The same way the citizens afford to import goods from China, India, etc. The US is not even on Bangladesh's list of the top 5.

Bangladesh - The World Factbook

www.cia.gov

Imports - partners​

China 34%, India 17%, Indonesia 5%, Singapore 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)​

China Exports to Bangladesh - 2025 Data 2026 Forecast 1992-2023 Historical

China Exports to Bangladesh	Value	Year
Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products	$3.05B	2023
Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers	$2.37B	2023
Electrical, electronic equipment	$2.34B	2023
Cotton	$2.00B	2023
Knitted or crocheted fabric	$1.51B	2023
Manmade staple fibers	$1.27B	2023
Manmade filaments	$1.26B	2023
Plastics	$1.04B	2023

The U.S. cannot balance the trade deficit and simultaneously bring jobs back to America. Balancing the trade deficit requires opening our market to foreign countries, allowing them to sell products here while they reciprocate. However, "Made in America" products are often more expensive than those from developing nations, which means their consumers won’t buy American products if cheaper alternatives exist. Thus, pursuing free trade and balancing the trade deficit does not lead to job creation in America.

We've been over this. Your logic is flawed. Opening US markets to foreign countries increases the trade deficit. Foreign countries do not reciprocate. The administration policies are addressing that problem with reciprocal tariffs to bring those trading unfairly to the negotiation table.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

The same way the citizens afford to import goods from China, India, etc. The US is not even on Bangladesh's list of the top 5.

Bangladesh - The World Factbook

www.cia.gov

Imports - partners​

China 34%, India 17%, Indonesia 5%, Singapore 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)​

China Exports to Bangladesh - 2025 Data 2026 Forecast 1992-2023 Historical

China Exports to Bangladesh	Value	Year
Mineral fuels, oils, distillation products	$3.05B	2023
Machinery, nuclear reactors, boilers	$2.37B	2023
Electrical, electronic equipment	$2.34B	2023
Cotton	$2.00B	2023
Knitted or crocheted fabric	$1.51B	2023
Manmade staple fibers	$1.27B	2023
Manmade filaments	$1.26B	2023
Plastics	$1.04B	2023

We've been over this. Your logic is flawed. Opening US markets to foreign countries increases the trade deficit. Foreign countries do not reciprocate. The administration policies are addressing that problem with reciprocal tariffs to bring those trading unfairly to the negotiation table.

Providing data on Bangladesh's import percentages does not change the fact.

Bangladesh imports 34% of its products from China due to their affordability. Even if Bangladesh were to remove all import taxes on US products, US products would still be more expensive than Chinese products. Consequently, Bangladeshi consumers are unlikely to purchase US-made goods when they can acquire similar products at half the price.

 

[o_mlly]

Bangladesh imports 34% of its products from China due to their affordability. Even if Bangladesh were to remove all import taxes on US products, US products would still be more expensive than Chinese products. Consequently, Bangladeshi consumers are unlikely to purchase US-made goods when they can acquire similar products at half the price.

Again, no citations to support your opinions. Kindly do some research and get back to me.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Again, no citations to support your opinions. Kindly do some research and get back to me.

Do you need citations to know Chinese products are cheaper than American-made ones?

I apologize for any misunderstanding. I think we should start with basic facts like products manufactured in China tend to cost significantly less than those produced in America. After understanding these basic principles, we can then progress to more complex topics such as trade deficits and free trade.