> Moving cheap crap around long distances is a huge source of pollution. One of the core ways we can actually reduce CO2 emissions to consume less stuff
Perhaps, but we could also help save the planet by all becoming vegetarian, or by staying home rather than flying, etc. In any case, I don't think Trump is looking to reduce consumption or international trade - he (appears) to just want to reduce trade imbalance and/or increase US independence.
> Then comes the human rights factors of forced and unfair labor. Your cheap t-shirts are made off the backs of ethnic minorities not allowed to leave the factory site after their 12+ hour shifts.
Do you think these workers would be happier without a job, or that US adding import taxes to Chinese-made clothes is going to cause Chinese manufacturers to pay more, or reduce working hours? What scenario are you thinking of where US import taxes on Chinese goods would be beneficial to Chinese workers?!
I don't care what Trump intends or says he intends. Ending de minimis was one of the highest value things anyone has done since 2000.
Diet changes are one of the hardest things to effect. And taking away travel has horrible effects on destinations, international relationships and more. Those are all losses for us as a culture.
Slave labor clothing from Temu is not.
Short of invading China, we can't fix their labor issues but we can stop paying for it.
If chattel slavery was still going on, you may not be able to end it but you can stop funding it.
The cost of doing this is.. no more cheap ass clothing from Shein. Not the end of a culture, not a violent uprising, not a revolution. Just no more bad fashion built on slave labor.
we gonna stop consuming everything built on slave labor (starting with say … most if not every phone in circulation)? or you just selectively shooting the breeze acting if you or anyone gives two shits about this?
I actively choose to buy more expensive electronics with known supply chains. I am sure slave labor still sneaks in - the electronics supply chain is crazy wide and depends on rare minerals.
There is no ethical basis for exploiting slave labor. That this makes cellphones and vibrators more expensive isn't something that can trade off with ethical cost.
Perhaps, but we could also help save the planet by all becoming vegetarian, or by staying home rather than flying, etc. In any case, I don't think Trump is looking to reduce consumption or international trade - he (appears) to just want to reduce trade imbalance and/or increase US independence.
> Then comes the human rights factors of forced and unfair labor. Your cheap t-shirts are made off the backs of ethnic minorities not allowed to leave the factory site after their 12+ hour shifts.
Do you think these workers would be happier without a job, or that US adding import taxes to Chinese-made clothes is going to cause Chinese manufacturers to pay more, or reduce working hours? What scenario are you thinking of where US import taxes on Chinese goods would be beneficial to Chinese workers?!