Question

Discussion 4: Price Controls

Respond to the following prompt in a post with a minimum of 250 words, then comment on at least TWO other posts. Respond to the posts indicating your agreement or disagreement with their position and why. Feel free to bring in additional references to these reply posts.

• Find a current news article or video (within the past 12 months) that describes some government intervention in the economy with the intent of controlling prices. Identify the parties who benefit and those who are or will be hurt by this intervention. What unintended consequences will likely or have occurred as a result of this intervention. What is your opinion on this matter? Why? Include your thoughts and the link to the article in your post.

Answer 1

Recent articles in Washington post, suggest how the Us economy and president should react to rising prices of goods due to Chinese imports and NAFTA deal and how economy must be managed.

Explanation :

The biggest issue been surfaced is US China Trade War, Immigration Laws, US National Debt, Foreign Relations policy  

US and china have great history of trade wars however recent times has been largely due to sanctions been imposed on china by USA.

Recently, USA slpped tarrifs on 40% of chinese goods. which has caused prices of US goods to go up substantially becuase cheap imports fro china have been stopped.USA has also stopped cheap imports of steel and as a result Chinese government too has imposed substantial tarrifs on USA goods.

As a result, there has been currency devaluation in China to make it goods look more cheaper and attractive and has started selling Goods in emerging markets. US goods however have become more costlier and hence sales have decreased.

Chinese government has aggravated trade war by imposing fresh round of tarrifs , however before G20 summit which will be held in 2018, such issues will be resolved.

Since, China has imposed tarrifs we see there has been lack of entry of chinese workrs and visas in USA which has nullified the clear cut winner. Because of trade war, India has managed to export steel and aluminium to US markets and hence has been the greatest beneficiary.

Given the Presidential Power following economic strategies need best case implementation :

Resolution of NAFTA deal with negotiation as well as maintenance of great relationships with South Korea on denuclearization by maintaining an eye on all developments
US China pact and removal of tarriffsby signing of MOU and economic cooperation
Immigration laws been relaxed by allowing H1B for Indians who look to create startups IN UsA and generate more employment
Debt refinancing and additional taxation on corporates with large market Capitalization to decrease debt in short term.
Increasing interest rates to appreciate dollar and control inflation and money supply in market

Implications

The ezporters from China and Korea will hurt most due to protectionism policies and will largely benefit US domestic producers and reduce trade deficit largely. However unintended consequences like trade war on protectionist policy may be triggered by counterparts which may again cause trade deficit  

References:

Bailey, Martin Neil, What Happened to The Great American Job Machine!? The impact of trade and electronic Offshoring.

Cline, William R 2004. Trade policy and Global Poverty. Washington : Institute for International economics

Goldman Sachs, 2003. Dreaming with BRICS: the path to 2050. Goldman Sachs Global Economics paper 99

Zoelick, Robert B 2001. American Trade Leadership : What is at Stake? Speech before Institute of International Economics washing mton, September 24.

Schott, Jeffrey, 2004. Free trade agreements :US strategy and Priorities. Washington: Institute for International economics