The Little World

A recent Youtube post by a Canadian hobby shop owner pointed out the selective nature of the current tariff brouhaha.

He gets supplies in from US distributors and recently had a shipment stopped by Canadian Customs, with a 25% tariff fee slapped on it. When he was notified of this he took his ordering invoices to Customs and had them check the country of origin of the goods.

All were from China, Japan, Thailand, or other countries. The Canadian Customs then waived any tariff and let the shipment come in to him.

Had there been Testors paint, or Bachmann trains, or Athearn buildings, these would have attracted the 25%. Note that the YouTube feature was made at the start of April so the full effect may be changed now.

What it tells me is that the US makers will now have a tough time sending their goods away from their shores, and the nations of the world will turn increasingly to Asian and European makers for their hobby goods.

If that is not a shot in the foot by the White House, I don’t know what is. Insularity and isolation is one step away from inbreeding and infarct.