US Trade Deficits: Brought to you by Campbell's Soup

The “easy to win” trade war has begun with an opening salvo on steel and aluminum.  Trusting his political instincts and putting faith in a few controversial advisors that view the cause and effects of trade deficits differently than most in the human race, Mr. Trump made the seismic move.   It’s unfortunate that in the real world the wrath of these measures, probably meant for China will be mostly felt by Canada.  Once again, we are the victim of a drive-by shooting.  I am sure that some in the White House told the president the facts, but when you are a genius you don’t have to listen.  Besides, his base will continue to think this is the first blow they wanted their government to make against their “job stealing” rival to the east.  

Up until a few hours ago, I held out hope that some of the adults in the room would temper the president’s intentions.  That is until I saw on television his Commerce Secretary Wilbur (Monty Burns) Ross out selling these measures to the base.  Wilbur did a little product placement by holding up a tin of Campbell soup that apparently he (or one of his staff) just bought from a convenience store for 99 cents.  Who cares if it goes up to $1.00?  Relax, everybody, this is no big deal.  

This, of course, begs the question to Wilbur as to how many cans of Campbell soup does it take to build a car or, since this is a national security priority, how many cans of soup to make a tank or a Stealth fighter.   

By the time this administration, that is blessed with an understanding of macroeconomics never seen before, gets through with the US, the only thing that most people in his base will be able to afford for dinner IS a can of Campbell Soup.  You can buy one from Wilbur.  

Anytime I hear the name Wilbur, it casts my mind back many years to a television show called Mr. Ed.  It was a sit-com about a horse who would talk and could be heard only by one person, Wilbur Post.  The humour was that the horse was smarter than poor Wilbur and would dish out advise and wisdom that would get Wilbur through the day.  I am not sure who the horse is for our current day Wilbur (but I do suspect its mane is orange) but I am sure that he has his ear up to the wrong end of the horse. We will all pay.