this post was submitted on 27 Nov 2024
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Explain Like I'm Five
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The US widget buyers in the fantasy scenario are 100% not getting fucked by tariffs, because--again, fantasy scenario--their dollars are not supporting slavery, wage slavery, or some unjustifiable bullshit that's barely technically not wage slavery. Gutting economic opportunities for bad actors that exploit labor is a win for everybody, and claiming otherwise is evidence of a misunderstanding born of too narrow a scope.
Basically, if I save a buck by poisoning my town's water, I haven't won.
That aside, I loved reading this. I already kind of knew it but your version made me know it better. Thanks for writing it.
The way you improve the lot of foreign workers (a good idea) is by putting in place trade agreements that mandate worker protections. “You can only sell us cheap widgets if the working conditions are reasonable “. Two further points. 1 - with tariffs the worker exploitation continues, the goods just cost more (see example above) and 2 - look at the vibrant and dynamic US motorcycle industry for an example of the long term consequences of being insulated from competition.