re: Government picking winners and losers on tariffs--steel gets the exemptions they want

You are a one trick pony but this is too damn easy not to engage. Steel and aluminum get sway because they are essential to national security. If the federal government has one primary objective, it's national defense.

China now produces something like 55% of the world's steel. They subsidize the industry so that they can continue to grow this percentage by driving other country's steel manufacturers out of business. So, seeing as China is our only geopolitical threat, what is the answer to this quandry? It sure as hell isn't allowing them to continue to consolidate steel production, thereby allowing them cut off all steel to us if the crap hits the fan.

The first step is to reopen plants in the United States and make them viable again. During this phase we will continue to allow China to produce the nasty chemicals required in their own country. At some point, hopefully we will tariff these as well, as we move to a supply chain that is completely domestic and protects our national security.