Girl, The Tariffs

I was planning on steaming ahead on resistance talk, but we've got an elephant in the room. Or we should have one in the room, but won't soon? You know what I mean. I have seen so many people talking about the coming shortage of goods due to Trump's tariffs that I think it would be a mistake not to mention the issue.

So, if you've been living under a rock–I'm sorry, first of all, that you chose this moment to come out–here's the deal: Trump's policies have driven the US into a low-key economic war, primarily with China. A lot of our stuff comes from China, particularly plastic goods, like toys and household utensils, and electronics, like everything else you enjoy. The US is wielding one weapon in this conflict: tariffs, which happen to be a double-edged sword that's mostly cutting our way. Importers, and therefore consumers, pay the cost of tariffs, and as the cost of these tariffs increases, importers do less of their namesake activity. As the tariffs were implemented rather suddenly, their effects are going to be felt rather suddenly, as well.

Estimates put the slowdown of shipments to California ports in mid-May. After this, the supply shock will reach shelves across the country after around ten days.

What to Do

For now, and I want to stress this, for now, there's not much cause for concern with regards to prepping for these incoming shortages. Most of what is being cut off isn't the kind of thing that's going to save your life. They're conveniences–and I'm not trying to be eco-preachy right now, or to agree with Trump, but we'll survive this economic moment. That being said, some medical supplies, as simple as bandages and complex as medical device parts, could be affected. This should be about the only area of immediate concern you have. Do make sure you have enough of these goods, or consult with your doctor to see if anything you are using or taking is at risk.

Speaking pure facts, what we're likely to miss in a couple weeks are the following things: toys, apparel, footwear, appliances, parts for appliances, furniture, home goods. Medical devices and supplies aside, these are not critical items. If you're thinking of buying a freezer or something, you might want to buy it now rather than tomorrow, but most of these goods, as I said, are not critical to your survival or even your enjoyment of life.

While it would certainly be preferable that our consumerism was drawn down slowly rather than shocked, and I would certainly prefer this was done by choice of the public rather than at the hands of a wilting autocrat, it may prove to be useful as a test run for collapse. The kinds of shortages of convenient goods that are coming are the kinds of shortages we will definitely see as the world itself begins to contract. The things that you find yourself wanting or needing come the end of May or mid-June are the kinds of things you will want to find replacements for, however you're able to achieve that.

Remember that it's always a good idea to have extra food, water, and medicine on hand. While this first wave of shortages may not cause us too much harm, it is entirely possible that the damage Trump does to the economy continues, and we begin to see a real lack of the sorts of things we survive on as things get more dire. Also remember that no supply of essential goods lasts forever, and that buying things cannot be your solution for having a hard time buying things.

Next Steps

I will urge you, like all the other folks out there, to not panic-buy whatever you might be thinking of buying. A reasonable cache of goods is and always will be a smart idea, but hoarding is not something I can endorse. If you're worried about this rippling outward, well, that's probably a good instinct. But the answer isn't to participate more in the system that's falling apart. We're approaching summer here in the States–it's a good time to meet your neighbors and maybe try and grow something.

I know this is a short one; we may have another short one next week before we get back into the How We Win series. I need the breather.