Will tariffs cause MIM Fenders, Squiers and other imports to become more expensive. 25% or more

[MVE]

That’s the point of tariffs - it’s a tax imposed on imported goods, which the manufacturer/seller will pass onto the customer. The goal is to drive purchases of locally sourced products, but given the international supply chain necessary to manufacture instruments (ex: rosewood) it’s inevitable that some of those costs will be passed onto consumers.

The most damning example of how bad tariffs are for consumers is the tariffs passed during the Great Depression. In an attempt to spur job growth, huge tariffs were put on all imports. This led to 1. Manufacturing costs rising, since raw materials were imported and 2. Reactionary tariffs from other nations. This led to even further manufacturing reductions and worse job loss.

I totally learned that from watching Ferris Bueller…

 

[DJ Bebop]

Considering how intertwined we are in every part of the global economy, there is zero chance anything good will come of this.

 

[felis]

It sure will and my guess is USA made will be more affordable.

It didn't turn out that way when Harley asked the government to put import tariffs on Japanese motorcycles in 1983.

 

[Mike N]

Closed for review.

 

[MJ5150]

The political commentary and trolling posts, such as IBTL, have been removed. We'll give it another try.
Again, please do not post if you are unable to control your urge to make a political comment, even the ones you think are tricky aren't, or other trolling posts like IBTL.
Those who can't will be given an infraction and reply ban.


-Mike

 

[ajkula66]

If "across the board" tariffs actually end up being implemented - which I doubt, but I've been wrong before - the prices of MI are going to be the least of anyone's worries given the percentage of medications of all kinds that are being imported into the country.

I'd wager a guess that a majority of people on this forum have enough gear to survive the next few years without any additions to their stables. Their hard earned $$$ will be likely spent elsewhere first in case of any *serious* tariffs getting implemented.

My $0.02 only...

 

[HelpImaRock]

I only expect to buy strings over the next few years (I know, I know). I expect a 25% increase, even though my strings are Made in the USA. New gear prices will be the last of my worries, tho.

 

[msgoodrich]

Its simple: US tariffs are essentially taxes paid by US consumers. It will also raise prices of USA made products by (1) increasing costs of production inputs that are imported and (2) raising the prices of the foreign competition. Get ready for more inflation on basses and everything else.

 

[BigJohnAZ]

Maybe. It's used as a negotiating tool, sometimes to get other countries to lower their tariffs on US goods sold over there. It's not an automatic increase.

It may also bring manufacturing back to the US. Again, it's a tool.

 

[TheReceder]

My bet is that one of the contries like Indonesia that has most favored nation status wil become the go to location for import guitars and basses. Right now they only have an 8.1% tariff. I think Taiwan is at %6.34

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I expect that US imposed tariffs on foreign products will have equal or similar retaliatory tariffs on their products, so I would expect that US made instrument sales will go up outside of the US too. Consumers will just pay more for everything.

The only good thing from higher prices is that it might curb GAS!

 

[BunchyMutt]

It sure will and my guess is USA made will be more affordable.

Except every component will have to be American made and American manufacturing infrastructure is in no way set up for that. Ironically, for such a massive shift to be made in a short period of time, talent and materials would have to be imported, you guessed it, over seas.

 

[GreyBeard]

Recession is the main thing that brings prices down.

 

[Ellery]

There’s no way it won’t raise prices all across the board. Even on items that appear unrelated. Prices only go up. And once they go up they stay up.

 

[roccobass]

Add in Dingwall, Eastman, Reverend...

...and Phil Jones..

 

[40Hz]

Economists can easily explain why tariffs don't accomplish anything other than to trigger retaliatory tariffs, make it more difficult for American companies to sell their goods abroad, and increase the prices US consumers will have to pay for products. This isn't just opinion or theory. There's enough real world history to clearly demonstrate that tariffs are one of those ideas that may sound great in theory, but will absolutely crash and burn in practice.

If the pointless across the board tariffs currently being floated ever get put into effect, you can count on the prices of virtually everything you're buying to go up.

Lets just hope this is all rhetoric and posturing rather than an actual plan.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'd wager a guess that a majority of people on this forum have enough gear to survive the next few years without any additions to their stables. Their hard earned $$$ will be likely spent elsewhere first in case of any *serious* tariffs getting implemented.

My $0.02 only...

 

[DJ Bebop]

Maybe. It's used as a negotiating tool, sometimes to get other countries to lower their tariffs on US goods sold over there. It's not an automatic increase.

It may also bring manufacturing back to the US. Again, it's a tool.

As indicated earlier, even if that is true, bring back manufacturing to the US. It will take probably years to realize that on the ground here. Plants will need to be built or restored if possible. Then the fact we paid $15-20 an hour here instead of $1-2 an hour over wherever. Made in America maybe possible but not affordable to the US masses. But what do I know

 

[HelpImaRock]

But what do I know

I'll put it this way. Murphy was an optimist.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'll put it this way. Murphy was an optimist.

…and that was his downfall