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We’re back! We’re testing the waters with the new influx of people to see if this is valuable or not. We are also actively seeking moderators and people who enjoy discussion (and understand that being wrong is an important part of being a better person)! Send me a message if you’d like to help out.

This weekly thread will focus on The Future Of The USA. You may not be American (I’m sure not), but what happens with America can impact the world.

Some Starters (and don’t feel you have to speak on all or any of them if you don’t care to):

  • How do you feel things are going there?
  • How are they impacting relations with your country if you aren’t from America?
  • Do you think things will get better or worse?
  • How do you think things could be made better?
  • What should other countries do to mitigate the damage that may be occurring?
  • What are your thoughts on tariffs?
  • curious_dolphin@slrpnk.netEnglish
    2·
    7 days ago

    I’ll bite on tariffs. In a vacuum, my default opinion is that tariffs impinge on individual liberties and distort economies—they are a form of government interference and should be avoided. Since we do not live in a vacuum, I imagine two scenarios in which I’m okay with import tariffs:

    • Countries who don’t play fair should be treated differently from countries who do. For example, if a country subsidizes their own industries to make them more competitive in the global marketplace, then other countries are justified in imposing proportionate tariffs against that country. Similarly, if a country imposes import tariffs, then other countries are justified in imposing their own proportionate tariffs against that country.
    • If an industry is vital to national security, then this changes the calculus significantly. A contemporary example is energy independence from belligerent regimes. *cough* Russia *cough*

    Barring these scenarios, I favor allowing the markets to determine the winners through free and fair competition.