Ben Shapiro believes President Trump needs to make it clear exactly where he stands regarding placing tariffs on the United States’ trade with other nations.
He suggests a simple abolition of tariffs as an incentive for other humane nations to have the opportunity to do business with the United States, as long as they are also not imposing tariffs.
If Trump wants to prove he's pushing tariffs in order to achieve free trade, he should simply say America is happy to abolish ALL tariffs with any human-rights-respecting country that does the same, with no preconditions, in any non-defense industry.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 10, 2018
The issue has been the conflicting trains of thought from the administration.
The big problem with his tariff policy is that we're hearing two different messages: the free trade message from Kudlow and co. trying to twist Trump's pro-tariff policies into a sort of leverage-for-free-trade policy, and Trump's own message, which is trade war-friendly.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 10, 2018
Now, the strongest economic position is no tariffs in any case. But if you're going to use tariffs to ratchet down tariffs in other countries, you can't send mixed messages about how awesome tariffs are.
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 10, 2018
Here is what the president tweeted about tariffs at the conclusion of the G7 Summit in Canada on Saturday. He made it clear that he is not going to allow other nations to apply large tariffs on trade with the U.S.
Just left the @G7 Summit in beautiful Canada. Great meetings and relationships with the six Country Leaders especially since they know I cannot allow them to apply large Tariffs and strong barriers to…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
…U.S.A. Trade. They fully understand where I am coming from. After many decades, fair and reciprocal Trade will happen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
The United States will not allow other countries to impose massive Tariffs and Trade Barriers on its farmers, workers and companies. While sending their product into our country tax free. We have put up with Trade Abuse for many decades — and that is long enough.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
Then after reiterating that theme, he fired a shot at Canada and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Based on Justin’s false statements at his news conference, and the fact that Canada is charging massive Tariffs to our U.S. farmers, workers and companies, I have instructed our U.S. Reps not to endorse the Communique as we look at Tariffs on automobiles flooding the U.S. Market!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 9, 2018
When asked about tariffs imposed by the United States on other nations, this is what Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross had to say on the Fox Business Channel.
.@SecretaryRoss: "The reason that we ended up putting the tariffs on the EU is largely that France led a decision that they wouldn't negotiate with us while the tariffs were pending… So you know what their reward was for pushing the president that way? He imposed the tariffs." pic.twitter.com/q5oPWe1Jvh
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) June 10, 2018
You can see the point Shapiro is making. Trump wants other nations to eliminate tariffs completely when dealing with the United States, but then threatens or imposes tariffs on nations.
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