I need to think and learn a lot more about tariffs. It is not as straightforward as some make it seem – especially those of “globalist” ilk. I do know that under “globalism”, the manufacturing capability of Australia has been decimated.
Some genius in the 1980’s or so decided that Australia should become a “services economy”, despite the physical reality of our massive resources in minerals and energy. Somehow it was decided it was better for Australia to export the materials for processing and manufacturing to places with cheaper labour. “They can do it cheaper than us, so let’s supply them materials and buy their products back.” This is the so-called win-win of globalism?
For most of my life, I have believed in the “Buy Local” principle. Tariffs appear to be a mechanism that helps people do that, even if local is more expensive. This protects the local producers from competition from non-local producers.
The theory appears to be that this protection at national borders (nationalism) is good for the nation involved. As opposed to globalism that claims that protection damages the non-local suppliers. And globalism claims that over time, the protection will cause an evolution of protected local producers towards lower efficiency and higher prices to end users. Globalism says therefore – globalism is better.
I have a strong preference to purchase from Australian businesses and companies, not from global conglomerates (who currently supply nearly all products found the middle lanes of your supermarkets.).
Global giants and their funders care nothing for those supposed beneficiaries of free trade in the global model? The purpose of exporting to labour rich countries was to assist them – the people – right?
With our global financial evolution toward aggregation – we have spawned “supercompanies” who, on autopilot, maximise returns to themselves through international manipulations, NOT maximise the return or value generated to any NATION or people.
Perhaps the ideals of globalism have been hybridized to suit the insatiable hunger of supercorporations and funds? These funds have advantage over smaller businesses because they can leverage the “globalist” system now in place. (Why they are so big?)
My initial thoughts on tariffs was a bit negative, but with more thought, perhaps it is time to rebalance the scale away from the massive advantage that supercompanies have banked heavily with in the past 4 decades?
And “negotiation” is best applied AFTER you have clear understanding of the variables, your own objectives, and a confidence and knowledge in the strategies to best achieve them.
Decide what we want AS A NATION, before haggling.
I, for one, want the return of our manufacturing sector. I want cheap, reliable, abundant electricity to feed both manufacturing and the development of Australia. I want a stop to the dumbing-down of our people and children. I want a reduction in the free kicks we give to our “miners” – who owns the minerals? I want to be able to trust our government. I want better protection for our environment – where our plants and animals life, not the BS CO2 global doomfest. I want to be able to trust that my food is food. I want to help international neighbours to thrive as best we can, as we thrive too. Eventually I want constant improvement in the infrastructure and quality of life in Australia paid for with excess wealth generated from wise activities.
Do our governments know what we (you) want? What is best for Australia? Is it written down anywhere?
It is probably something like “being remembered as the best government ever”. Or most likely “get re-elected so they can get re-elected so they can get re-elected”.
Does Trump know what he wants? Albo?
Good luck in that haggle.
To quote myself “If you don’t have a plan, you will be a weak pawn in someone else’s plan, and you may not like it.”