In the early 1900s, Henry Ford changed the way his employees interacted with the market his company contributed to. During that time period, the business mogul famously offered raises to his employees, making it possible for them to afford the very automobiles they helped produce.

Some fear President Donald Trump’s tariffs may reverse such historic changes to the automobile industry.

In speaking with an expert, it seems as though it’s being under represented how the cost of goods could be impacted by the tariffs. It’s been predicted by the secretary of commerce that car prices could be raised by $175. Other experts argue that it’s hard to predict how exactly prices will be affected, but local UAW leaders fear their employees will be priced out of even being able to afford a new Dodge Ram or Jeep.

That’s a step backward.

Tariffs and economic protectionism serve a singular purpose: trying to bolster a single industry under attack from foreign interests.

In theory, this seems all well and good. Steelworkers obviously are reaping the benefits of the president’s latest venture. Hardworking Americans within the steel industry are getting put back to work. That’s tough to argue with. But some question whether the harm will outweigh the benefits.

It only can be hoped that, at this point, the cost of American automobiles doesn’t climb too drastically.

In any instance, you can’t leave behind the American worker. Without the middle class, there is no United States. They make the goods we depend upon. They protect our streets. They keep the wheels of society turning.

Going backward, treading into territory that society started to leave behind with moves such as Ford’s, shouldn’t be allowed to come to pass by those leading our nation. The problem is we may be forced to tighten our seat belts and prepare for a wild ride as Trump forces protectionism in ways that very well may not benefit the majority.

Source: Kokomo Perspective