New working paper from Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy, by Junjie Guo and Ananth Seshadri. Although they don’t give a one word answer, I’m pretty sure it would be “no”.
Executive summary:
- Tariffs are taxes collected by the government from domestic firms when they import goods from other countries. The burden of higher tariffs could be passed on to
consumers in terms of higher prices and to foreign exporters if they are forced to reduce their prices due to lower demand.- Evidence from President Trump’s first term suggests that the burden of tariff hikes fell almost entirely on domestic consumers and importers. Furthermore, the import and
retaliatory tariffs had a negative effect on the U.S. economy even after accounting for the positive effect on customs duties and domestic producers.- With tariff hikes, Wisconsin households and firms face higher prices and production costs related to imports, while the state government does not benefit directly from
increased customs duties.- The three countries (Canada, China, and Mexico) at the center of President Trump’s recent tariff actions are Wisconsin’s top three trading partners, accounting for about
half of Wisconsin’s imports and exports.- Products Wisconsin imports almost exclusively from these countries are more vulnerable to import tariffs against these countries, e.g., almost all live animals and
fertilizers imported to Wisconsin come from Canada.- Products Wisconsin exports almost exclusively to these countries are more vulnerable to retaliatory tariffs by these countries, e.g., almost all beverages, spirits and
vinegar exported from Wisconsin go to Canada.- Sustained tariff hikes against Canada, China and Mexico and retaliatory tariffs by these countries will have a negative impact on Wisconsin’s economy.
The paper summarizes the impact:
Because Wisconsin imports much more now than before ($38.9 billion in 2024 vs $27.7 billion in 2017), and the three countries (Canada, China and Mexico) at the center of President Trump’s recent tariff actions are Wisconsin’s top three trade partners and account for half of the state’s imports and exports, the impact of new tariff hikes and retaliations on the Wisconsin economy could be larger and more negative than it was during President Trump’s first term.
I have played a little internet game since first reading this post. I typed “tariff impact on the (fill in the blank) economy” and checked a number of states. I have yet to find a report on a state which suggests benefits to the state. Alaska is “uniquely vulnerable”. Alabama’s farmers will lose markets and its auto factories will pay more for parts. Indiana exports extensively to Canada and imports parts for further manufacture from Canada, China and Mexico. Florida’s construction and aerospace industries use lots of aluminum and steel…
So far, I haven’t run into a single analysis which says “our state will enjoy big benefits from tariffs”. Play along, if you like. Post your links if you find analysis which finds net benefits for some state from tariffs. Odds are, E.J. Antoni or some other Navorro wannabe will be quoted.
Will Elon Musk make Wisconsin rich? Well, maybe some of them — like billionaires John Menard, Diane Hendricks, the SC Johnsons, and the Uline guy.
According to Mother Jones, Musk has plowed $11 million into the state supreme court race to flip the court from Democrat to Republican.