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The tariffs are being paid by Americans. Why is that a surprise?
(discuss.online)
Video and source: https://xcancel.com/dieworkwear/status/1951851958559703117#m
Normally you'd start with a very small tariff and increase that on a regular schedule over a few years so businesses in the whole supply chain can anticipate and adjust in a reasonable stable environment.
It's the opposite of declaring liberation day and chickening out repeatedly. Of course, doing the opposite of good policy also has the opposite result. Businesses are leaving USA. It's easier to produce in another country in a stable environment and import the final product, and pay tariffs on it, only once.
That last bit is what people don't understand.
If you're an auto manufacturer, and you are given the choice to pay 50%+ tarrifs on your raw materials before selling your car that now has to be much, much more expensive due to the tarrifs. Or you could build the car in Europe, pay none of those tarrifs on parts, and export it to the US where the buyers will pay a 15% tarrif after the recent deal with the EU.
So it's more profitable for the manufacturers and cheaper for the consumers to shut down US auto plants and move everything to Europe.
Art of the Deal.