President Trump gave the first salvo by imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum, using the national security exception to get around WTO rules. Canada, Mexico, Europe and China imposed retaliatory tariffs. Trump announced additional tariffs against China citing their lack of intellectual property protection and forced technology transfer. China came up with equivalent amount of tariffs on US products. In both cases, the other countries focused on retaliating against US products that are produced in areas that predominantly voted for Trump. The US targets are predominantly by product category (steel, aluminum, autos, etc. The latest round of tariffs imposed in September begins to hit consumer products.)

1) What effects did the higher tariffs have on prices, employment and US GDP?

2) Do you think that Europe, China, Canada and Mexico targeting products (like soybeans) from Red State producers was shrewd or did it backfire, making Trump less willing to compromise?

3) Do you think that the US strategy of applying tariffs (including use of the national security exception) is working/will work for the Biden Administration when dealing with China?