Myth: Trump Setting U.S. Up For Trade War

Democrats, the media, and liberals around the world. They keep talking about how Trump is going to incite a trade war if he continues to raise tariffs. But, it's hard for Trump to start a trade war when it started over 30 years ago.

So, Trump raises the steel tariff to 30%. Democrats see this as the beginning and the end. They are afraid other countries will get upset and raise tariffs for outgoing products.

But, this is said without looking at our history. You name your country. That country has a 30% tariff to our steel going into their country. We have only a 2.5% tariff on imported steel. That 2.5% is usually not paid.

So, who benefits from this set-up. It's certainly not the U.S. So, Trump raising the tariff to 30% is only playing a game. It's making it so there is an equal tariff both ways. It gives U.S. steelmakers an equal opportunity to sell steel abroad.

Plus, what can it hurt? If those other country's don't want high tariffs, they can easily call Trump. They can make a deal. That deal can call for a reduction of tariffs on both sides. Perhaps steel tariffs can be reduced to 10% both ways. That would be fair.

So, this idea that Trump is setting the U.S. up for a trade war is poppycock. It has been going on for a long time.