During a recent episode of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher”, the host engaged in a discussion with former Senator Al Franken about tariffs and their impact on the US economy. Maher expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of tariffs, stating that they are ultimately paid by Americans, and questioned why the Biden administration’s tariffs on Chinese cars don’t seem to have the same negative impact as Trump’s tariffs.
Franken countered that he wasn’t sure why the Biden administration has tariffs on Chinese cars, and Maher pointed out that this is essentially a tax on American consumers. Franken agreed that the seller in the US typically pays the tariff, which is then passed on to the consumer or harms the business.
Maher and Franken also discussed the concept of tariffs and their impact on the economy. Maher argued that the US needs to protect its electric vehicle manufacturers, while Franken stated that Biden’s tariffs are a bad idea.
Maher reacted to Franken’s statement, saying that it’s not that difficult to understand that tariffs are essentially a tax on Americans. He questioned why the Biden administration’s approach to tariffs is different from Trump’s, and why it’s not considered a bad idea when implemented by Democrats.
Franken didn’t provide a clear explanation for the Biden administration’s rationale behind its tariffs, leading Maher to express his frustration with the lack of transparency and consistency in the administration’s trade policies.
