January 8, 2016
By Tim Worstall
Donald Trump certainly adds to the joy and gaiety of politics. But that doesn’t mean that he’s not capable of some entirely crackpot economic ideas. One such being what he’s just told the New York Times he wants to try: a 45% tax on all imports from China. This is not just abject populism it is also somewhere between foolish and insane as a piece of economic policy. Almost, but not quite, as bad as the new Venezuelan economy minister telling everyone that inflation has nothing to do with the money supply it’s all just greedy capitalists. At least the Venezuelan has the excuse of being a sociologist and no one’s expected any sense from them for decades.
And I’m sorry if this judgement seems a little harsh for those who do favour Trump at present but it really is an economic proposal verging on the edge of lunacy.
Here’s what he said to the NYT:
Donald J. Trump said he would favor a 45 percent tariff on Chinese exports to the United States, proposing the idea during a wide-ranging meeting with members of the editorial board of The New York Times.
Madness.
Read the full article at Forbes.com: Donald Trump's Entirely Ridiculous Idea Of A 45% Tax On Chinese Imports