Sen Johnson sez US becoming Soviet-type economy!

They are ice skating in hell today…I agree with US Senator Ron Johnson (R- WI) for the most part. Senator Johnson has some issues with the president’s tariffs and their effects on the American farmer and the cockamamie fix proposed by the White House:

Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson ripped the Trump administration’s plan to provide $12 billion in trade assistance to farmers hurt by tariffs, likening the measure to a Soviet-style economy.

According to Politico, Johnson told reporters Tuesday: “This is becoming more and more like a Soviet-type of economy here: Commissars deciding who’s going to be granted waivers, commissars in the administration figuring out how they’re going to sprinkle around benefits.”

Johnson has raised concerns with President Donald Trump about tariffs set on steel and aluminum exports. He claimed those tariffs and retaliatory measures by America’s trading partners have hurt businesses in Wisconsin and elsewhere.

“Time and time again I’ve heard from farmers that they want trade, not aid,” Johnson said in a statement. “Instead of throwing money at a problem we’ve helped create, the better option is to take action to make it easier for our farmers — and manufacturers —to sell their goods at fair prices to consumers around the world.”

Well…I agree…the tariffs have complicated world trade…not solved any of the actual issues concerning the president…in the meantime real Americans of every stripe are being harmed. Its usually best to leave long term agreements in place and start tweaking around the edges instead of creating crises you can’t manage…with unintended consequences galore (although economists would tell you that these aren’t unforeseen consequences from their perspectives).

I will also give Sen. Johnson credit for meeting with Wisconsin businessmen and farmers and listening to their concerns…and then taking the next step and voicing those concerns in Washington. Maybe he can finally leverage his self proclaimed businessman cred and get the tariffs removed.

additional reading if you are so inclined: Trump offers help to farmers hit by escalating China trade war

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