i've been clear that we shouldn't tax our own people but should focus more on export taxes, instead. however, i'm really suggesting we wait it out, and it might not take too long. republicans have voters to face in a year and a half.
out of all of the taxes, the ones that make sense are the ones that are about protecting american industry that does or could exist, probably for national security reasons. that's why we have import taxes. that would actually arguably apply to both steel and aluminum, in the united states.
is it a problem that the americans import so much aluminum? it could become one. fair enough. but, these tactics are usually reserved for developed industries and not raw industries. either the united states has aluminum or it doesn't; if it does, it will find it where it needs it.
like through recycling?
are they on the brink of starting a war? they're acting like it.
so, what industries does canada need to protect? fish. water. lumber. you put tariffs on that to protect your own.
however, i think that the insistence on holding to these metals tariff also requires a direct response in the form of an export tax on two specific metallic exports that america is reliant on canada for and cannot replace. it's become necessary.
the other thing is the auto tax. we had an auto pact going back to the 60s - this is before free trade. it kickstarted free trade. i think that if they're doing this, you mirror it, just to undo it. you want to relevel the playing field so that costs go up on both sides and not just entering the united states. you have to do that. and what else can you do?
is there some equivalent industry on the border that canada wants to protect?
let the senate pass the bill first, and see what the house does. export taxes are unilateral - easy to generate and remove.