LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

To the Editor:

Ever since World War II and the Marshall Plan, our country has helped other countries rebuild after the war and given many other countries preferred access to our markets so they could grow and prosper.

We wrongly believed helping China would move them towards a more democratic government. In the beginning we accepted larger tariffs on our products because our production overwhelmed every other country. That was 80 years ago for most countries and China a mere 25 years ago.

By allowing these countries, especially China, to charge our exporters usurious tariffs, we have almost destroyed our manufacturing base. Thousands of factories across the U.S. are shuttered. Critical manufacturing in medical supplies, prescription drugs and more are now manufactured by our number one enemy, China. Additionally, mining for rare earth minerals, copper and other critical metals for our military needs exacerbates our slide into dependence on other countries, especially China. Many countries that have taken advantage of us are quite happy they can export to us at low or no tariffs and then turn around and block our products with high tariffs or import policies that block U.S. goods.

Because of the unfair imbalance of tariffs and regulations by these countries we keep slipping farther and farther behind. This is the tipping point where we either do something now to rescue our businesses and jobs or we will be left behind forever.

These new reciprocal tariffs will help some like the auto industry right away, if their cars are made here.

It will help our ranchers who have not been able to sell beef in Australia and elsewhere. Dairy farmers in the Northern states will be able to sell their products in Canada. Unfortunately, some businesses will feel the pain for a while like soy bean and corn farmers.

We as consumers can start buying American products that have no tariffs.

Tariffs will be opening markets for our companies and encouraging manufacturing here in the U.S.

Already several trillion dollars in investment in the U.S. has been scheduled by many companies. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Many countries are already negotiating tariffs with us so they can still sell here. This is long overdue because no one wanted to face the truth, there will be no gain without some pain.

Jim Blair

Rostraver Township

To the Editor:

I only wish there were some way to get to our dear President Trump. After seeing how terrible that Denmark was to our vice president and his wife, it is only right to attack them immediately, but even more important I have found a more serious problem right here in our own area.

There is a group here feeling that he is not doing all the rights things. This group is from Rostraver Township clear into Fayette City. It is so bad that they sometimes call him a dictator and his political followers a very bad word that I just refuse to repeat.

Now, rather than take a lot of time from signing his signature, I would like to make some suggestions only to help in any way.

I can name these people in that I attended a few of their meetings, only to get information, so please don’t feel I am suitable for prison as other individuals just named.

In any case, if you would simply destroy all the homes from the stop sign and lights at the Route 201 crossroads and down to the end of Fayette City, we would feel much safer. The people could then be free to find homes at some more favorable neighborhood.

Your friend, Mr. Musk, should be able to do this for you in a short time. This area could be re-done with possibly a fine golf course, a nice overlook of the river or a docking area for only the wealthy. By the way, a lovely Trump Towers could beautify the area even more. Once again, I am only trying to help you.

I am a true follower. I love you, master Trump.

Duane Nelson Belle Vernon