The “illusion of cheap” point is one of the sharpest lines in the piece. It gets to the core of why this isn’t just about economics. It’s about values embedded in price tags.
What stood out to me is how often we confuse trade liberalism with moral neutrality. But systems aren’t neutral if they reward the externalization of harm. That’s not free trade. It’s subsidized abuse by another name.
If tariffs are the tool to rebalance incentives, how do we make sure they support national resilience without calcifying inefficiency or entrenching bad actors at home? Because protectionism alone won’t rebuild a healthy industrial base; it just buys us time to do the hard work. Are we using that time well?
The “illusion of cheap” point is one of the sharpest lines in the piece. It gets to the core of why this isn’t just about economics. It’s about values embedded in price tags.
What stood out to me is how often we confuse trade liberalism with moral neutrality. But systems aren’t neutral if they reward the externalization of harm. That’s not free trade. It’s subsidized abuse by another name.
If tariffs are the tool to rebalance incentives, how do we make sure they support national resilience without calcifying inefficiency or entrenching bad actors at home? Because protectionism alone won’t rebuild a healthy industrial base; it just buys us time to do the hard work. Are we using that time well?
I tried to make this point in my recent debate with Peter Schiff: price is not cost.
Globalists laugh when a factory closes & an American community is impoverished, so they can save 50 cents on a made-in-China plastic spatula.
But I guess the joke's on them, because the microplastics will eventually give them cancer.
Ha! Yes, well said. I wrote a piece about this a few days ago. If you have a moment, check it out— I’d love to hear your thoughts. https://lukeringlein.substack.com/p/buying-american-isnt-sentimental