Why do we have the import restrictions rather than the cash poyment?

Question

If it would be cheaper to give each steelworker $375,000 per year in cash than impose restrictions on imports of steel, why do we have the import restrictions rather than the cash poyment?

Answer 1

Politics. When you place an import restriction on steel, you can say that you "saved American jobs." Nobody thinks about the cost (such as the lost jobs in the U.S. auto industry that has to use the more expensive steel).

Answer 2

Because it's not just the steel workers who want to be protected from the real world, it's also the steel corporations. They are the primary lobbyists who give congressmen money to vote in their interests. Individual steel workers might be happy with a charity check each month, but the corporations need to stay in business, making and selling product and generating cash flow.

Plus, its a lot easier and less risky politically for everyone to blow a lot of nonsense about needing protection from greedy, predatory, unfair foreigners, than to just transparently go on the dole.

Answer 3

I want yes, to both...Keep both sides happy :) I don't eat food from a can, so that part is not important to me. I buy a lot of fruits and vegetables that are imported from Mexico and will continue to do so.. Immigrant workers that come here to work on farms. do so, cause people here in America won't do the work. I hear the whining all the time "it's too hot, it's too hard,it's raining... well, that just tells me they don't want to work for a living. I know many that work on farms and make a decent living.

Answer 4

Want to know more about this too

Answer 5

I'm not sure

Answer 6

is anyone able to tell what is the correct answer for this question?