Source: New York Post
by Victor Davis Hanson
“Ten tariff questions aren’t being asked — but should be: 1) President Trump’s so-called ‘trade war.’ Many call the American effort to obtain either tariff parity or a reduction in the roughly $1 trillion trade deficit and 50 years of consecutive trade deficits a ‘trade war.’ But then what do they call the policies of the past half-century by Europe, Asia, China and others to ensure asymmetrical tariffs, pseudo-health and security trade restrictions, and large surpluses? A trade peace? Trade fairness? 2) Do nations prefer surpluses or deficits? Why do most nations prefer trade surpluses and protective tariffs? Are Europe, Asia, China and others stupid?” [editor’s note: “Nations” don’t prefer anything; only individuals have preferences. Regimes are gangs of individuals whose preferences come at the expense of the other individuals who identify with the “nations” the gangs rule – TLK] (04/13/25)
https://nypost.com/2025/04/13/opinion/trump-is-asking-tough-tariff-questions-critics-wont-answer/