Tariff backlash, immigration cuts hurt Wisconsin economy

[riversedge]

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Tariff backlash, immigration cuts hurt Wisconsin economy


With friends like Donald Trump, the Wisconsin economy needs no enemies.

The retaliation by foreign governments to his sledge-hammer tactics in raising tariffs on incoming products, so far mainly on steel and aluminum imports, is already having a boomerang blowback on Wisconsin manufacturers. Examples:

• It is raising the costs or raw materials and therefore prices of Regal Ware’s cookware and appliances, making it harder to compete with its exports – 65% of its revenue. Regal Ware employs 200. Will its employment drop if its sales drop?

• Ditto for other steel and aluminum users like Briggs & Stratton, Ariens and Mercury Marine. Wisconsin is the second most manufacturing intensive state, so this state, which helped Trump win the presidency with its ten electoral votes, will be disproportionately affected by his growing trade war.

• New counter-tariffs by Mexico on U.S. food products will slam the state’s dairy industry. Mexico buys nearly one-quarter of our dairy output. Sartori Cheese says the blowback will be “pretty devastating.” Canada has also slated tariffs on dairy products.

• Ditto with pork exports for companies like Johnsonville Sausage. Mexican tariffs will go to 20% from 10% on July 5.

• Ditto with soy beans, a big crop here.

• Miller-Coors prices will rise because the costs of aluminum cans will rise. Higher prices generally spell lower unit sales.

• Thousands of suppliers down the supply chain, like Serigraph, which makes graphic parts for the whole goods manufacturers, will also see reduced business..................................

[Hoyt]

1. Well Wisconsin, in 5 months you have a chance to turn things around -- Vote Blue across the board.

The best way to send trump a message right now is to support Democratic candidates.

[MBS]

2. + 1 million.

I couldn't believe that Walker is actually running for a 3rd term! Two terms is bad enough - but 3 terms?! Seriously, Wisconsin voters, get rid of this guy in November. Please! For all of us!

[BigmanPigman]

3. When their pocketbook Is effected

and it hits them personally they finally wake up and smell the coffee...too late!

[MBS]

4. There is so much wrong about both Walker and Trump

and it's been so evident for years - it's depressing to me to think that people would only wake up when the evidence smacks them directly in their bottom line.

If that's what it takes to get them to vote for Democrats, maybe it at least will help us turn the tide. But it's still depressing that it would take so long, and only a very immediate, what's-in-it-for-me issue, to get them to open their minds a little. Will they ever understand, I wonder, exactly how destructive each of these guys has been to Wisconsin, and our country, respectively?

Depressing.

[BigmanPigman]

5. You just summed up Americans behavior perfectly.

It does have to hit their bottom line and it has been that way for as long as I can remember. It is always the economy. If it takes another recession to get the Dems in control we will clean up their mess like we always do and get no credit for it. It is like a broken record or Groundhog Day film.