Trade policy is as complex as immigration

Your June 25 editorial “Stand Tough on Trade” and your June 24 editorial “Not Binary Choices: Good Immigration Policy Is Complex But Rational” are polar opposite in approach. The one on trade fails to note the complexity of imposing tariffs and would do well to heed the “no binary choice” caution of your immigration editorial.

The tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed are good for some industries and bad for others. Harley-Davidson is shifting some jobs from America to better compete in a world of tariffs. Many U.S.-based companies have applied for relief from tariffs either because they cannot afford the increased cost of needed imports, which will drive up their consumer prices, or they cannot get what they need.

The same is true in immigration. Several weeks ago you had a story about a large local nursery that is closing down because it cannot get necessary foreign workers. There are U.S. winners and losers from the barriers the president is erecting.

Despite the fact that Mr. Trump’s barriers (tariffs and walls) create winners and losers in America, the barriers he creates are all the rage with his supporters. Keep out foreign goods and keep out foreigners, even those whose lives are endangered, seems to be the ultimate plan.

Tariffs hurt some domestic industries and help others by restricting lower-priced competition. The rest of us lose and even the protected industries workers may lose in the long run. Open trade saves money for all and results in greater output by encouraging countries to focus on what they are best at producing.

Barriers that destroy immigration also hurt all. To cite just one high-profile example: Sergey Brin, born in Russia, teamed with Larry Page and founded Google and other companies. Countless other immigrants have dug our coal, made our steel, built our bridges and tunnels and helped expand our economy in many ways.

Asylum seekers have also played an important role. Most famous perhaps is Albert Einstein. Sometimes our country has lost its way as when we refused to allow the ship St. Louis to land and sent the asylum seekers back to Europe, where most died at the hands of the Nazis. However in most periods, we are the “Shining City of the Hill” and “The Golden Door” because we are thankful for all the blessings that have come to us as Americans.

Your admonition that immigration is not a binary choice is good advice. You and we should apply the same to tariffs. THEODORE GOLDBERG

Oakland