General Discussion

Quit after 1st paragraph

A new study that examined 150 years of tariffs in the U.S. and abroad found they disrupt the economy and financial markets so much that the result is lower inflation.

Of those studied, how many were all encompassing? That is all products from all Countries. That is a HUGE difference from targeted tariffs on certain products. It also is not very representative due to changes in global economics.

For example what does a tariff in the early 1900s on lumber effectively tell us about current tariffs on Canada. I’m sure in 1910 we could easily meet all lumber needs by clear cutting in the Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes region. Canadian lumber would likely put a downward pressure on US lumber, thus lower costs because many tariffs were protectionary.

So what happened 100 years ago, on specific items is a great deal different than across the board tariffs today.

I bet the majority of people had limiting understanding of Supply Chain prior to COVID. I actually have a Degree in Supply Chain from 40 years ago, I think there was three colleges that had a Supply Chain program in the 1980s.

Hell we didn’t have an interstate Hwy system until well into the 1960’s so manufacturing was regional with almost all goods required coming from the same region. Economic air shipments of goods was in the 1970’s and 80’s, (and usually required mgmt signoff) Effective and timely communications across Oceans, the 90’s and 2000s. (Realistically not until about 2005)

Comparing the 1920s to 2020s is ignoring so many factors. Would be akin to comparing my Grandmothers opportunities (born in late 1890s) to my daughters opportunities. (born in 1990s)