What does American isolationism look like?

[neurosis]

We already know that Trumps main advisors are isolationists. I don't know if that's the end game today?

Lets say our goal is to move manufacturing back to the US and everyone starts to "buy american" and we rely less on foreign imports and trade. What does that end up looking like for the American consumer?

I'm sure that everyone has seen the studies that show if we were to manufacture and assemble an i-phone in the US, that $1000 phone would cost around $3000.  What about vehicles? Televisions? Computers? Food? Furniture?

Wages haven't kept up with inflaion over the years, not even close. Would products made in America cost more than the ding were about to see from the tariffs?  If so, what's the point?

[riverhunter]

No more trader joe's?

[Del.]

We already know that Trumps main advisors are isolationists. I don't know if that's the end game today?

Lets say our goal is to move manufacturing back to the US and everyone starts to "buy american" and we rely less on foreign imports and trade. What does that end up looking like for the American consumer?

I'm sure that everyone has seen the studies that show if we were to manufacture and assemble an i-phone in the US, that $1000 phone would cost around $3000.  What about vehicles? Televisions? Computers? Food? Furniture?

Wages haven't kept up with inflaion over the years, not even close. Would products made in America cost more than the ding were about to see from the tariffs?  If so, what's the point?

The point is fair trade for America and keep the plants and jobs here.

[Newbeeee™]

If so, what's the point?

If everything costs more money, everyone gets poorer....

[neurosis]

The point is fair trade for America and keep the plants and jobs here.

I'd like to see the plan to raise wages and train people or even convince people to do some of these jobs. Convincing these younger generations that they should be wasting their lives away in blue collar jobs when they'll never be able to afford their own home is getting more difficult by the year. 

[neurosis]

If everything costs more money, everyone gets poorer....

Not everyone.

[beej]

We already know that Trumps main advisors are isolationists. I don't know if that's the end game today?

Lets say our goal is to move manufacturing back to the US and everyone starts to "buy american" and we rely less on foreign imports and trade. What does that end up looking like for the American consumer?

I'm sure that everyone has seen the studies that show if we were to manufacture and assemble an i-phone in the US, that $1000 phone would cost around $3000.  What about vehicles? Televisions? Computers? Food? Furniture?

Wages haven't kept up with inflaion over the years, not even close. Would products made in America cost more than the ding were about to see from the tariffs?  If so, what's the point?

I have more questions than answers when it comes to tariffs.

As far as isolationism is concerned, I know that Washington is often described as an isolationist. Whatever isolationism looks like today it will not look like it would have in GW's day. with the advent of modern communications, air planes, and long range missiles. that sort of isolationism is gone.

[Del.]

I'd like to see the plan to raise wages and train people or even convince people to do some of these jobs. Convincing these younger generations that they should be wasting their lives away in blue collar jobs when they'll never be able to afford their own home is getting more difficult by the year.

I agree with you. Trump has been weak in addressing how he will fill these new jobs.

[neurosis]

I have more questions than answers when it comes to tariffs.

As far as isolationism is concerned, I know that Washington is often described as an isolationist. Whatever isolationism looks like today it will not look like it would have in GW's day. with the advent of modern communications, air planes, and long range missiles. that sort of isolationism is gone.

When I read through what Trumps adviors think should happen, I only hope that Trump has his own idea of how this plays out. Unfortunately, what he's doing, seems to be following that playbook pretty closely. Navarro is regarded as a fringe economist that is stuck in the past and he seems to be the one calling the shots.

[neurosis]

I agree with you. Trump has been weak in addressing how he will fill these new jobs.

I have to be honest, Del. I don't think he knows. I really don't think this has been fully thought through.

If this is just a negotiation tactic to level the playing field when it comes to trade, we'll probably know sooner than later? 

[CNCAppsJames]

Just got an e-mail notice from Rego-Fix;

April 4, 2025
 
 Dear Valued REGO-FIX Sales Partner,
 
 As we have all been following the tariff news, a new 31% tariff has just been imposed on goods coming from Switzerland.  While we hope that this tariff will be overturned or reduced, as of today that is not the case.
 
 As a result, REGO-FIX USA must implement a 23% surcharge on all POs starting Monday, April 14th.  This will be shown as a separate line item and must be added on all POs.  If the percentage changes or get rolled back we will adjust accordingly as soon as possible.

[Del.]

I have to be honest, Del. I don't think he knows. I really don't think this has been fully thought through.

If this is just a negotiation tactic to level the playing field when it comes to trade, we'll probably know sooner than later? 

We know for certain plants are going to be built and are being built. I believe Honda is already building in Indiana. You still have to fill the jobs.

[gcode]

https://instapundit.com/712475/

Europe has been getting a free ride from the US taxpayers for years
Trump is working to change that

[CNCAppsJames]

I'd like to see the plan to raise wages and train people or even convince people to do some of these jobs. Convincing these younger generations that they should be wasting their lives away in blue collar jobs when they'll never be able to afford their own home is getting more difficult by the year.

All things being equal, kids today generally speaking will take an office job over a manufacturing job. They've had "manufacturing is dirty and not for you" beat into their heads for decades.

The money is there. It's not easy. If a guy like me can get where I am, anyone that is motivated to do the work can do well for themselves.
Yes you may have to move.
Yes you may have to get dirt under your fingernails.
Yes you may have to lift heavy stuff from time to time.
No it is not glamorous work.
No you will not get clicks, likes, follows, subscribes, etc...
Yes you will spend your own time learning. Some of that learning may even come at your own expense. But if you are unwilling to invest in yourself why should someone invest in you?

I could go on.

[neurosis]

https://instapundit.com/712475/

Europe has been getting a free ride from the US taxpayers for years
Trump is working to change that

That's another side of the conversation. Right now, I'm just talking about what it's going to mean for us to have to purchase everything "made in america" if we want to avoid paying tariffs.  Are we really going to pay less for "made in america".  Will there be enough jobs created to offset the costs? Will anyone be able to afford "made in America"?  Is anyting being done to raise wages to offset the cost difference?