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Posted by Simon Scheuer on August 2, 2025, 19:47:16, in reply to "Re: NO, I do not think economics is divorced from "policy". BUT"
in the 60's, he came home one day and marveled that the Japanese had the low bid to supply the structural steel for a major building construction project. OUR deficiency in domestic steel production goes back that far. We HAD MANY electronics firms in those days too before "management" decided foreign competitors had a leg up on us. There are many factors to consider when trying to "rectify" trade deficits. It does not appear that this consideration was in fact exercised. But what do I know...just some history and hard facts! The current administration has explained to me that they know it all. 
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Threads like these always get me to go off and read. My fatal flaw then becomes that I like to answer questions. This is a political discussion, but you asked.
On tariffs in general, I have no comments. However, on the issue of closing de minimis:
Did any business lobby for them? Yes...the US textile industry is one of the leading lobbyists:
https://www.furnituretoday.com/industry-issue/closing-the-de-minimis-loophole-act-introduced-in-d-c/
What trade imbalances are we looking to fix? I will let the previous administration answer:
https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/09/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-to-protect-american-consumers-workers-and-businesses-by-cracking-down-on-de-minimis-shipments-with-unsafe-unfairly-traded-products/
Notice their frequent mention of textiles, among other issues.
Finally, it's not "just Trump." There is some bipartisan support...at least agreement that we should do something to "fix" (or end) de minimis in Congress. To that end, this bill has been introduced. If it passes, you can no longer blame "your favorite whipping boy." It will have been done by an act of Congress.
https://www.whitehouse.senate.gov/news/release/whitehouse-graham-introduce-bipartisan-closing-the-de-minimis-loophole-act/
So, while I am still on the fence myself over the subject of tariffs in general, de minimis looks to have been a "target" for a long time before now. The current administration just decided to declare an emergency, and act. Congress could well "catch up" in the near future.
Your final question: Will tariffs improve US plastic kit manufacturing? I doubt plastic myself. But, the domestic resin/3D printed industry might very well find a revival, if it can capitalize on this opportunity.
The topic is actually de minimis, not broader tariffs. That subject, we can all have "endless free-for-alls" over. We can have endless free-for-alls over this topic, too. Our moderator will show up, and it will all be more hot air from us. I just wanted to answer your questions. They were good questions.
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a person should UNDERSTAND what a tariff was intended to do. The "economics" behind the current barrage of tariffs is unrecognizable while the "politics" of the tariff is inexplicable. Did any US businesses lobby for them? What trade "imbalances" are we looking to "fix"? In direct application to this hobby, will tariffs improve US plastic kit manufacturing? Recall, fearless leader STATED that tariffs are paid by the foreign importer. How many americans believer that? Previous Message
The choice of tariffs is always a political decision. They are set into laws written by people under political guidance. This is true even if, unlike this case, all political parties were agreed.
Do you think economics, like any other important aspect of governance (including defence) is divorced from politics? As long as differences in opinions exist action taken on them will have to be made by politicians. Previous Message
designed to protect DOMESTIC industries from unfair competition of imported products. A tactic foreign industry owners used was to underprice their product to destroy domestic competition. But a tariff can work both ways. A domestic industry can prod politicians to protect their overpriced product. Of course the administration has imposed tariffs such as a big one on Brazil whose primary export to the US is coffee! Anyone know of a "domestic coffee grower". Tariffs on imports that have NO domestic alternatives simply overload the American consumer with additional costs. You can juggle the "politics" of tax cuts compensated for by tariffs. There are plenty of products we import with no "domestic alternatives". Economics 101 Previous Message
So this is another dagger into our hobby. I am not being political here and I don’t mean any disrespect to the US based businesses that produce garage kits, accessories and PE. However this will adversely and unfairly impact Black Cat Models, Atlantic Models, Swordfish Models, Starling Models, Hellenic Ship Models, Micro Master and others that produce quality products that many of us have built kits or used their accessories.
And if this meant to help stem the tide of illegal drugs slipping into the US, the makers of those drugs will find other ways to get them in.
Felix Bustelo
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A new executive order eliminates the de minimus exception on small purchases. It was perviously eliminated on HongKong & Chinese items, it now applies across the board
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/suspending-duty-free-de-minimis-treatment-for-all-countries/
It used to be shipments valued as $800 USD or less woulf have no tarrifs collected. It now looks like ordering garage kits and parts from non-US suppliers will now become more expensive.
Paragraph 3.(c) and following lays out the rates for each tarrif bracket:
25% $200 per shipment
So, a purchase from an EU country with a 16% tarrif would have an additional $80 slapped on it, collected by the post office at delivery.
All this might change as TACO has slipped the 8/1 effective date back to 8/7, but be prepared.
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