It would seem that veryone serious except Peter Navarro, ...

It would seem that veryone serious except Peter Navarro, Robert Lighthizer, Larry Kudlow���and Donald Trump���knows that imposing tariffs on intermediate inputs is especially bad, especially destructive: Chad Brown: The Element of Surprise Is a Bad Strategy for a Trade War: "Trump���s decision to impose restrictions on intermediate inputs and capital equipment is a step backward...

...It goes against decades of government work to lower trade barriers so Americans have easy access to low-cost, high-quality components. This is a basic competitiveness strategy for any government that wants to encourage companies to invest locally and employ more American workers to create valuable products. Trump���s plan means American-based manufacturing and service providers will find it increasingly difficult to compete with Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and throughout Asia���where tariffs on parts and equipment remain low. That would be bad enough.

Making matters worse is the administration���s ���element of surprise.��� That only amplifies the disruption to US businesses. President Trump may be using this tactic to avoid political pushback. But his sneak-attack tariffs are likely to turn out an unwelcome and startling disruption for the very same American businesses and workers he claims to be trying to help...

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