Tariffs, trade wars, and tropical fish

[skjl47]

Have you or anyone on here ever purchased one of those products? What percent of global market share do us manufactured products represent?

Hello; Your style of response struck a chord. There was also a nagging notion of past contentious experience with you. I did a search and did find we were at odds about the covid 19 vaccines, perhaps other topics.
My point with a listing of USA made products was they do exist. Offhand i do not know if i have ever used any of the listed makers. What i get from your post is a deflection from the main points.

 

[HarleyK]

Let's focus on our shared love for fish. I find that makes it easier to overlook statements where we respectfully differ.

 

[Conchonius]

My main concern is that the tariffs are not going to be a consistent strategy. They may be reversed if the Republican Party ever loses power. They may be reversed if US oligarchs or PACs put enough pressure on the government. They may be reversed if the US president, a man famously prone to changing his mind, changes his mind. The tariffs were, after all, put on an abrupt 90-day hold for many countries just recently.

It might be that the US benefits in the long term if tariffs are upheld for long enough to establish new supply chains (or ramp up domestic production). But as things stand now, importers might cut a deal with e.g. German companies, only to find out two months down the line that China is no longer under tariffs and their stuff is cheaper once more. I don't think that kind of instability benefits anyone.

That said, I do not reside in the US. I wish those of you who do luck in navigating this.

 

[danotaylor]

I guess I was wrong in saying I haven’t bought American products. I just never knew what was and wasn’t American made. All these companies produce American made products, some of which I have purchased through secondary avenues, such as Amazon.
I see peeps here and other sites mentioning purchasing tetra, aqueon, python, Seachem, API, and so on.
These companies couldn’t survive if they weren’t making a profit, some of which no doubt comes from exporting their products. I purchased Seachem, NLS & tetra prdocucts for sure in Australia

 

[danotaylor]

C Conchonius you may be correct. We’ll have to wait and see. The general population has always been at the mercy of govt & the global elite pressures. Every time governments change, there are changes that trickle down to the consumer. Some for the better. Some for the worse. The first year of a new political party is always the most uncertain.
Having said that though, with regards to tariffs, and as a reminder, the previous administration in the US saw fit to keep new tariffs implemented during the 2016-2020 administration due to the economic benefits they produced, so at the very least some of the public opposition being communicated is nothing more than political pot stirring. Whether or not they will be reverse will be determined by whether or not the proposed or assumed benefits become actuality.

 

[PhishMon84]

I guess I was wrong in saying I haven’t bought American products. I just never knew what was and wasn’t American made. All these companies produce American made products, some of which I have purchased through secondary avenues, such as Amazon.
I see peeps here and other sites mentioning purchasing tetra, aqueon, python, Seachem, API, and so on.
These companies couldn’t survive if they weren’t making a profit, some of which no doubt comes from exporting their products. I purchased Seachem, NLS & tetra prdocucts for sure in Australia
View attachment 1560183View attachment 1560184View attachment 1560185

I'm sure these companies raw materials, packaging ect is mostly sourced from china

 

[danotaylor]

Here’s the thing, the government of each nation has a responsibility to set things up to benefit onshore production and the sale of products produced “at home” to the consumer. The way they “level the playing field” this is tariffs.
Here’s an example of tariffs Canada imposed on US products coming in to Canada before this new season of tariffs emerged;

Is Canada wrong for these tariffs? Of course not. They need to protect the production and sale of Canadian goods so Canadian production doesn’t shut down.
There has not been international free trade for eons. Most of us never even knew about the disparity in tariffs charged by different countries in relation to what their home country charges until now. We have been ignorant of it, chalking price increases up to cost of living increases caused by inflation.
I for one am for each country doing what they see fit to be best for the people who voted them in. In my 54 years on this planet, there has never been a party in power with whom I 100% agree. Never has, never will. It’s just the way it is

 

[danotaylor]

I'm sure these companies raw materials, packaging ect is mostly sourced from china

That may or may not be true. How are you “sure” of that?
Even if this were true, they are still being assembled for sale onshore, and therefore employ local people. They sell nationally & internationally, so I am not sure of your point or the relevance of your comment

 

[PhishMon84]

That may or may not be true. How are you “sure” of that?

Almost everything thats "made in America" is reliant upon raw materials from overseas. the idea of American made is sort of a fallacy these days. whether plastics or tech or agricultural.

I don't have a specific percentage you can find many, diverse sources with a simple google search

 

[skjl47]

as a reminder, the previous administration in the US saw fit to keep new tariffs implemented during the 2016-2020 administration due to the economic benefits they produced,

Hello; Such is correct. To use an old movie example. Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid scene where Butch is challenged for leadership of the gangs. The giant outlaw declares he will take over and rob the train in both directions. Butch defeats the big guy and later decides to rob the train in both directions.