How do Americans feel about tariffs?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
This week, Donald Trump slapped 25% tariffs on our closets trading partners Canada and Mexico. He also imposed 20% tariffs on our enemy China. Tariffs are taxes charged on goods imported from other countries. The companies that bring the foreign goods into the country pay the tax to the government. Typically, tariffs are a percentage of a product's value. Imposing a 20% tariff on Chinese goods means a product worth $10 would have an additional $2 charge applied to it which is usually passed on to the customer. In your own words: what are tariffs?
Economists across the political spectrum generally consider tariffs self-defeating since Tariffs raise costs for companies who then pass the higher prices on to consumers. They're also likely to provoke retaliation from other countries that will slow American exports. How do you feel about tariffs?
According to the visual above, how do Americans feel about tariffs?
Americans express very different views on tariffs depending upon how the question is asked, a challenge for pollsters trying to measure public support for a complex and poorly understood issue. When a survey question defines tariffs as taxes on imports, for example, fewer people say they support them. When a survey question calls out specific countries, more are in favor of tariffs on China than on other countries. Based on the visual above and the visuals below* which highlight how the question was phrased, how do Americans feel about tariffs?
There is no universal rule to determine what makes a poll ‘valid.’ However, the key things to look for are sample size (number of people surveyed) and corresponding margin of error (be cautious of results when the margin of error exceeds 5 or 6 points); whether the sample was scientifically chosen or whether respondents were self-selected; and the wording and order of the questions (look for questions that seem to ‘push’ the respondent to an answer by describing some options more attractively than others). Which of these rules do you think is most important?
What is one question you have about the data from the visual above?
How do you think tariffs will impact you?
As tariffs start to kick in consumers should expect to see prices and inflation rise. How do you think these tariffs will impact the popularity of the president?
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to regulate foreign commerce, impose import tariffs, and raise revenue. Congress, in turn, has enacted laws giving the President the authority to impose tariffs under certain conditions. The Constitution also gives the President the power to enter into treaties with the advice and consent of the Senate. Congress could counter Trumps tariffs if they wanted to impose their power. Trump cited a national emergency regarding the flow of fentanyl into the country, as well as illegal migration, in ordering the new tariffs. The National Emergencies Act of 1976 allows any one member of Congress to force a vote on a joint resolution to terminate the emergency, which, if passed, could force an end to the tariffs. Why do you think Congress has not stopped Trump’s tariffs?
If Congress did pass a join resolution to terminate the emergency and terminate tariffs what could Trump do to block Congress?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
If you are a consume (you are!) you can contact your Congressional representative and ask them about their position on tariffs.
Get Creative
I have written two responses to tariffs which appear below. After reading my ode to tariffs and my diss rap of tariffs create your own poetic response to tariffs.
ODE TO TARIFFS
O, Tariffs, guardians of our trade,
A shield against the world's cascade,
Of goods that flood our market's space,
And threaten our domestic base.
You stand as sentinels of might,
Protecting industries from blight,
A wall against the foreign hand,
That seeks to claim our native land.
You raise the price of alien wares,
And thus our own production shares,
The market's bounty, large and wide,
With local craftsmen, side-by-side.
Though some may cry of higher cost,
And trade wars that are often lost,
Your purpose is to make us strong,
And right the economic wrong.
O, Tariffs, in your measured sway,
You help our nation find its way,
To balance trade and prosper long,
A bulwark, resolute and strong.
DISS RAP ABOUT TARIFFS
Yo, check the mic, one two
This ain't no lullaby, this truth's comin' through
About tariffs, those walls we try to build
But they ain't protectin', they gettin' us killed
Economically, that is, listen close, no sleep
These trade barriers, they runnin' way too deep.
(Verse 1)
So you think a tariff's gonna save the day?
Keepin' out imports, keepin' jobs in play?
But what about the prices that start to rise?
The everyday goods, right before our eyes?
From cars to clothes, everything's more dear
While other nations watch and start to jeer.
They raise their own tariffs, tit for tat you see
A trade war brewin', ain't no victory.
(Chorus)
Tariffs, tariffs, oh so misguided
A economic blunder, decision divided
They say they protect, but really they chain
The free flow of commerce, again and again.
Prices goin' up, competition down low
Who really wins? Nobody I know.
(Verse 2)
Small businesses struggle, consumers take the hit
While giant corporations, they just sit
Manipulating the system, behind closed doors
Profiting off the chaos, that's what this war's for.
Innovation stagnates, no need to compete
When the market's all locked up, oh so incomplete.
We isolate ourselves, from the global scene
And fall behind, yo, what does that mean?
(Chorus)
Tariffs, tariffs, oh so misguided
A economic blunder, decision divided
They say they protect, but really they chain
The free flow of commerce, again and again.
Prices goin' up, competition down low
Who really wins? Nobody I know.
(Bridge)
They talk 'bout national security, protectin' our land
But what about prosperity, and a helpin' hand
To developing nations, a chance to grow?
Tariffs hold 'em back, that's all I know.
(Chorus)
Tariffs, tariffs, oh so misguided
A economic blunder, decision divided
They say they protect, but really they chain
The free flow of commerce, again and again.
Prices goin' up, competition down low
Who really wins? Nobody I know.
(Outro)
So next time you hear about tariffs and trade
Remember this rhyme, and the price that's been paid
For protectionist policies, that don't protect at all
Just economic chaos, that makes us fall.
Word.
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