Tariffs are an indirect tax on consumers

The column by Keith Burris in the Forum section Sunday is lacking in intellectual honesty (March 11, “Trade and the Ties That Bind”). He states that Mr. Trump has “tilted U.S. trade policy toward U.S. interests — toward American steel and aluminum and autos … .” Since the auto industry is a major consumer of both steel and aluminum, it is clearly not correct to say that higher metal prices help the auto industry.

This tariff is merely an indirect tax on all consumers of products using steel and aluminum in an effort to save jobs for people in those industries. The higher costs to U.S. manufacturers using imported steel and aluminum will be passed on in higher prices to U.S. consumers. Domestic steel and aluminum prices will increase to the competitive market level that reflects the import tariff. And imported finished products, such as cars, that include steel and aluminum will also have higher prices as the importers will, for sound economic reasons, increase their prices to mirror the higher prices of domestically produced competitive products.

The argument for national security is wrong when the largest sourceof steel imports is Canada — a country whose citizens have foughtand died in all wars and is the closest possible ally.

Mr. Burris argues that a little protectionism is useful. But consider the potential impact of tariffs from other countries, and the potential loss of employment in impacted businesses, and deciding how best to increase jobs in general and not in a specific industry. The latest jobs report showed a low unemployment rate and higher labor force participation. Certainly many unemployed steel workers could work elsewhere with a little help. The idea of having a guaranteed job for life is just no longer valid. ARTHUR L. GOLDBERG

Squirrel Hill

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I find it bitterly ironic that on the day the Post-Gazette reports that the GOP-led House Intelligence Committee announces a whitewashed conclusion to its Russian collusion investigation (March 13, “Trump Campaign, Russians Didn’t Collude, Panel Declares”), the PG’s Thought for Today was “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” TOM CONNOLLY

Dormont

As President Richard Nixon said in 1973: “People have got to know whether or not their president is a crook.” Robert Mueller’s job is to answer that question as well as “Is the president a traitor?”

Every effort must be made to ensure that Mr. Mueller is able to pursue the investigation where the evidence leads to a thorough conclusion. This imperative extends beyond the Mueller investigation and those in its sights to the survival and success of the American constitutional republic. I urge our Congress to leave no stone unturned and to allow Mr. Mueller and his team to do their duty to the republic and the citizenry. R. LAWRENCE CONLEY

McCandless

As we near tax time, a time most of us dread, let’s put it in perspective.

From the moment I leave my driveway, I am thankful for the roads and bridges that are provided for me (some in worse shape than others, but it’s better than traversing through the woods). I’m grateful for the police and fire services that protect me. I’m glad to help the less fortunate with goods and services. And last but not least, I am most appreciative of the greatest military on Earth that provides me with the security to sleep well at night.

We can argue about how much we pay and where it’s allotted, but I’m happy to give my fair share. Imagine life without it. JOE LIPINSKI Mt. Lebanon