Trump gets schooled with some facts about trade after whining about deficit with Mexico

[DonViejo]

ERIC W. DOLAN
27 JAN 2017 AT 10:11 ET

President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Friday to complain about the United States’ trade deficit with Mexico. “Mexico has taken advantage of the U.S. for long enough. Massive trade deficits & little help on the very weak border must change, NOW!” Trump tweeted.

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the U.S. had a goods trade deficit of $58 billion with Mexico in 2015 and a services trade surplus of $9.2 billion. But journalist Simon Hedlin noted that the trade deficit didn’t tell the whole story.

Simon Hedlin ✔ @simonhedlin
.@realDonaldTrump U.S. goods and services trade with Mexico totaled $583.6 billion in 2015.

This is taking advantage how?

8:21 AM - 27 Jan 2017
427 Retweets 1,865 likes

Simon Hedlin ✔
@simonhedlin

.@realDonaldTrump U.S. exports of services to Mexico were $30.8 billion in 2015. This is an increase of 200% since 1993 (before NAFTA).

8:24 AM - 27 Jan 2017
255 Retweets 1,147 likes

Simon Hedlin ✔
@simonhedlin

.@realDonaldTrump Sales of services in Mexico by majority U.S.-owned affiliates were $43.4 billion in 2013 (latest data available).

8:25 AM - 27 Jan 2017
167 Retweets 726 likes

Simon Hedlin ✔
@simonhedlin

.@realDonaldTrump Total U.S. exports to Mexico are up 468% from 1993 (before NAFTA).

8:28 AM - 27 Jan 2017
208 Retweets 754 likes

Axios also noted that while NAFTA did increase the U.S. trade deficit with Mexico, it also led to a tripling of trade in general. “But the trade deficit is a lousy measure for any of this. More exports means more American jobs. You’d rather have $10 worth of exports and $15 worth of imports than $8 of both and no trade deficit,” the website reported.

http://www.rawstory.com/2017/01/trump-gets-schooled-with-some-facts-about-trade-after-whining-about-deficit-with-mexico/

[meadowlark5]

1. My brother harasses Trump zombies on Twitter - he follows some news site where they congregate

He told me today, that the Trump idiots are all on board with the 20% import tax/tariff. Additionally, they do not believe for one second that that 20% will be passed onto the consumer.

Are these dumbasses for real? Where would that increase be absorbed? The stupidity of these people is unfathomable.

[MarvinGardens]

2. Trade Deficit vs economic activity.

I remember casually noticing about 10 years ago that when the trade deficit fell, unemployment rose, and vice versa. But I do not know if this is generally true or was just a coincidence at the time. Does anyone know?