Donald Trump has revitalised the US economy
Donald Trump dramatically reduced unemployment and reinvigorated the US economy. This track record is critical at a time when the coronavirus is rapidly weakening Trump's economic gains.
<
(3 of 7)
Next argument >
Context
Donald Trump has implemented a series of domestic and international policies to foster domestic production, job creation, and a thriving economy. His use of tariffs has resulted in more job security for Americans, and unemployment rates have consistently dropped.
The Argument
Trump has improved the U.S. economy by mitigating reliance on foreign exports, increasing tariffs, creating WTO disputes, increasing technical education, and creating jobs. His policies have fostered wage-growth and have also helped the stock market.
Counter arguments
It is more expensive to produce goods in the United States, particularly (electrical) machinery and tech modules. Therefore, the residual benefit for both companies and workers is elusive, since production abroad results in an elevated profit margin.
Foreign retaliatory measures almost always convolute the tariff process, canceling out benefits for all parties involved.
It worked – he got elected and put “a 25% tariff on all of the dumped steel all over the country” (Trump). However, four years later, we see a minuscule increase in domestic steel-working jobs, increased tension abroad, and even solvent reprisal from China.
Economic gains and increased job numbers were the result of Obama-era policies
Proponents
Framing
Framing to Consider:
- Economic Strength
- Neoliberalism
- Capitalism
- Nationalism
- Hegemony
Premises
Economic strength is generally good
Reliance on imports is bad for the economy
Rejecting the premises
Argument hinges on the assumption that capitalism is good. Neoliberalism blinds us to slow violence and condemns us to inaction—that kills the environment and is the foundational basis for inequality.
Capitalism is the root cause of all forms of inequality