Trade War vs. China
Current Research for the MLA Summer Debate Camp…
TOPIC: Trade War (Protectionism) vs. China
Resolved: President Trump\’s protectionist policies (ex. tariffs) against China does more harm than good.
BACKGROUND:
Tariffs Defined & Explained (The Balance, December 19, 2018)
Tariffs Explained: Tariffs are custom taxes that governments levy on imported goods. The tax is a percentage of the total cost… Tariffs increase the price of imports. Those higher prices [on foreign imports]give an advantage to domestic [local companies in the U.S.] products. They are used to protect a nation\’s industry. But tariffs are a barrier to international trade. Other countries retaliate and impose their own tariffs. Over time, tariffs reduce business for all countries involved.
Pros and Cons: U.S. policymakers go back and forth on whether tariffs are good or not. When a domestic industry feels threatened, it asks Congress to tax its foreign competitors\’ imports. It helps that sector, and that often creates more jobs. Growth in that industry improves workers\’ lives, but it also raises import prices for consumers. Tariffs always force a tradeoff between workers and consumers. Another disadvantage of tariffs is that other countries retaliate. They raise tariffs on similar products to protect their domestic industries. That leads to a downward economic spiral, as it did during the Great Depression of 1929.
REQUIRED RESEARCH VIDEOS:
Here\’s how much more you may pay with Trump\’s tariffs,
CNN Business, May 10, 2019 [2 min]
https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2019/05/10/trump-china-how-tariffs-will-affect-consumers-foreman-pkg-lead-vpx.cnn
IMPORTANT: A \”Stealth Tax\” is when consumers pay more for imported goods (companies \’pass along\’ the cost).
President Trump Threatens 10% Tariff On Chinese Products,
TIME Magazine, August 2, 2019 [1 min]
https://time.com/5641813/trump-tariffs-china/
Trump\’s latest China tariffs: What we know so far,
USA Today, August 2, 2019 [2 min]
https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/08/02/trump-china-tariffs/1898606001/
NOTE: Please read/skim the article too. It is current and well-explained.
REQUIRED RESEARCH ARTICLES:
Trump increased his tariffs on China—here’s what they are and how they work,
CNBC News, May 11, 2019
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/11/what-trumps-tariffs-on-china-are-and-how-they-work.html
Trump Plans More Tariffs for China. You’ll Feel This Round.
New York Times, August 2, 2019
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/02/us/trump-china-trade-war-tariffs.html
President Trump Threatens 10% Tariff On Chinese Products,
TIME Magazine, August 2, 2019
https://time.com/5641813/trump-tariffs-china/
ADDITIONAL \”OPTIONAL\” RESEARCH ARTICLES & VIDEOS:
[Background] Trade Protectionism Methods With Examples, Pros, and Cons,
The Balance, July 10, 2019
https://www.thebalance.com/what-is-trade-protectionism-3305896
[Harvard] Q&A: China tariffs may not be a negotiating ploy; they could be the goal,
Robert Lawrence, Trade Expert, Harvard University, September 27, 2018
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/research-insights/policy-topics/globalization/qa-robert-lawrence
CONTACT INFORMATION (Coach Bill):
Bill Eddy,
coachbill@magnetacademy.com
714.655.8135 (I prefer text)
When contacting me, please include your name and class information (day/time). Thanks!