Author Topic: US Steel Tariffs  (Read 1600 times)

Offline gavor

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US Steel Tariffs
« on: March 05, 2002, 04:54:50 PM »
What the hell?

What happened to this world trade thing the US is so insistent on for everyone else? As soon as their industry starts screaming the government slaps a 30% tariff on all imports. What about our industry, which exports $400m worth of steel to the US? Double-standards.

Offline Staga

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2002, 05:09:52 PM »
That's what happens when politicians work for the corporations and not for the people. Good thing is it usually works only for a limited time.
When countries who import goodies from U.S put a extra tariff on those U.S manufacturers will notice their stuff doesn't sell anymore.
Bad thing is if you lose your markets to another manufacturer in another country it's hard (and costs lot) to gain those markets back. Kinda like pissing to your pants in a winter: Nice warm feeling first but little later your pants will be freezed and you feel yourself stupid.

Offline fd ski

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2002, 05:34:12 PM »
it's a free market competition thing :)
Do as i say, not as i do.

Offline Daff

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2002, 06:12:49 PM »
So much for globalisation and capitalism :p

Daff

Offline weazel

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Ummmm...
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2002, 07:16:32 PM »
Probably some of the shrubs corporate cronies were losing money, can't allow that ya know.

I'm surprised he didn't let them raid the employees 401K plans before leveling a tariff.

Offline funkedup

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2002, 07:39:30 PM »
Dweebzel, clueless as usual, manages to spin protection of the US steel industry into something that somehow hurts US workers...

Offline funkedup

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« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2002, 07:42:09 PM »
Even funnier is Europeans whining about protectionism.  You guys invented this toejam.

Offline J_A_B

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2002, 07:44:55 PM »
I support these tariffs.   The US steel industry is simply unable to compete with foreign competition that can pay its workers 50 cents an hour or less.   Furthermore, steel is an important national security asset and becomming totally dependent on foreign steel would be just as bad as our dependence on foreign oil.

Free trade is good and all, but NOT at the cost of sacrificing American jobs.  Why should Americans be put out of work so some Mexican or Korean can have his job?  The first, primary job of the US government is to provide for the security of the American people, and if that means protecting our jobs and assets by slapping tariffs on certain imported goods, than I'm all for it.  

J_A_B

Offline Tumor

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #8 on: March 05, 2002, 07:46:55 PM »
Whats the problem?  U.S. Steel corps are in trouble because they are undercut by foriegn producers.  U.S. is protecting their own...so?
"Dogfighting is useless"  :Erich Hartmann

Offline gavor

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #9 on: March 05, 2002, 07:51:15 PM »
Protection of the steel industry. Thats fine, if the US wasnt going around telling everyone they have to join in with the globalisation thing. Free, open trade! Isn't that what the world trade organisation(mightily pushed by the US) is all about?

It's funny, as soon as it doesnt work in your favour the government changes the rules. Your steel industry is falling apart, we can import better and cheaper steel but the old corporations screamed bloody murder and pleaded for the president to save their workers and their 'traditional profession'. Woe is them.

I'm sure economically it would have been better to do nothing, but politically the president has made the right decision. And right before congressional elections too. Coincidence?

Offline Staga

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« Reply #10 on: March 05, 2002, 07:52:28 PM »
Funked it will help steel-industry (not for long thought) but it will also hurt your export so you better hope U.S inner markets are going up and that they will stay up too.

Offline gavor

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #11 on: March 05, 2002, 07:55:50 PM »
Sorry JAB, mexico and canada aren't included in the tariffs. And we dont pay our workers 50c an hour.

I think the idea of globalisation IS caring about workers in other countries and promoting their industries, not locking them out and making THEM lay off their people. Its supposed to be a caring sharing world not one where we have to share but you don't.

Offline Sandman

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« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2002, 08:08:59 PM »
This just in... Business is war.

There is a reason corporate sharks read Sun Tzu.
sand

Offline Toad

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2002, 08:13:00 PM »
If and when a time comes when the US needs a lot of steel and needs it fast...... say like a major war or something...... and the US has no steel industry of its own anymore..... and then suppose that the "usual" US suppliers decide that they don't want the US to get any of their steel right then..... because maybe they think the US is "arrogant" or something...

then what?

Is there such a thing as domestic industry that is vital for national defense?

That's the question, IMO.
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!

Offline john9001

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US Steel Tariffs
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2002, 08:16:12 PM »
canada and mexico have a FREE TRADE  (see NAFTA) agreement with the USA, if you want FREE TRADE with the USA you must eleminate all your tariffs on US goods, this raise was done under guide lines of the world trade org, if you don't like it , take it up with the WTO, ......it's only for 3 years anyway