US Administration announces 34% tariffs on China

Re:US Administration announces 34% tariffs on China – 20% on EU by no_wizard on Thursday April 03, 2025 @11:52AM (#43571508)

The way its being framed in the public - and often in discussions even in this Hacker News comments section - is its an alternative to raising other taxes. Trump is selling it that way, along with simultaneous tax cuts he wants to either extend or implement, which goes to show the tariffs are not some way of addressing the national debt concerns either.

While nothing does, the actual discussion around it isn't allowing any room for non-tariff tax increases regardless.

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Re:US Administration announces 34% tariffs on China – 20% on EU by ericmay on Thursday April 03, 2025 @12:29PM (#43572088)

I agree with your point about how the discussion is framed. To add to where it should be framed, in my mind, you can toss in cost cutting at the federal government in there as well.

Neither tariffs nor cost cutting, unless it targets major programs such as Social Security or Medicaid, will have an effect on the national debt or the deficit.

It’s all marketing.

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Re:US Administration announces 34% tariffs on China – 20% on EU by no_wizard on Thursday April 03, 2025 @12:42PM (#43572271)

Cost cutting always enters the equation, because somehow its better to eliminate benefits. Why not reform the programs? There is actually ample room for this, particularly with Social Security. Why not raise revenue via land value taxes, closing tax loopholes and other less and/or non regressive means?

The social safety net in this country is already terrible, making it more terrible by cutting the programs won't be better for anyone except a slice of the wealthy

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