https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/the-threat-of-tariffs/

From: B

Sent: Wed 6/29/2016 4:49 AM

To: wblock@loyno.edu

Subject: Trump Trade Question

Dear esteemed professor Block.

I have a question that I hoped you could help answer. I have noticed that Libertarians seem to oppose Trump’s position on trade with China and have lambasted it as protectionist. On this issue I would argue that they are getting it wrong. Specifically I’m talking about his threats of tariffs if they will not allow their dollar to float. The case being made is that Tariffs are bad and that he shouldn’t be using threats against China in the first place as it’s not our business to tell them what to do. I dismiss the “threats” part because it’s not actually a threat in the libertarian sense. Nobody is forcing them to trade with us in the first place. So it’s still their choice no matter what the tariffs are set at. No it’s not a politicians business to tell other countries what to do, but then again he isn’t forcing them to do anything. And it’s no more his business to tell them what to do than it would be for him to tell us what to do. So then we are left with “Tariffs bad”. OK they are bad. But is it worth using some leverage to get them to float their dollar? Wouldn’t it be better for them and us if they were to allow their dollar to trade freely? His goal isn’t to actually impose tariffs it’s to get them to float their dollar which would be better for all of us. Would you please help me make some sense of this muddle. As it stands I don’t see anything un-libertarian. It’s not an actual violation of NAP. So isn’t it then simply an economic issue where he would actually bring about a positive change if he can pull it off?

Best Regards, B

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9:43 am on February 26, 2019