U.S. Steel laying off hundreds in Michigan

[SlowSpyder]

I find it painfully ironic that you would ask this question on a forum for computer hardware enthusiasts. Many component vendors prices are currently up 25% due to tariffs and some of the smaller companies like Caselabs have been put out of business as a result of these tariffs.

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

Looks like cases would be the outlier then.

I can tell you my Thermaltake View 71 RGB is about $10 more than when I bought maybe 18 months ago. But, I don't think that tells us anything.

 

[JSt0rm]

I find it painfully ironic that you would ask this question on a forum for computer hardware enthusiasts. Many component vendors prices are currently up 25% due to tariffs and some of the smaller companies like Caselabs have been put out of business as a result of these tariffs.

he is a russian troll. All of that is a bonus to him.

 

[artvscommerce]

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

Looks like cases would be the outlier then.

I can tell you my Thermaltake View 71 RGB is about $10 more than when I bought maybe 18 months ago. But, I don't think that tells us anything.

fyi- caselabs was a chassis manufacturer that was around for nearly 50 years. Their CEO cited the tariffs as the specific reason why they were forced to close their doors.

When I checked on components from some of the other vendors I buy parts from, I found that the prices were exactly 25% higher than before the tariffs went into effect.

I'm certainly not claiming that ALL pc components are up 25% due to tariffs, but there are countless examples to be found if you look around.

 

[SlowSpyder]

fyi- caselabs was a chassis manufacturer that was around for nearly 50 years. Their CEO cited the tariffs as the specific reason why they were forced to close their doors.

When I checked on components from some of the other vendors I buy parts from, I found that the prices were exactly 25% higher than before the tariffs went into effect.

I'm certainly not claiming that ALL pc components are up 25% due to tariffs, but there are countless examples to be found if you look around.

I used to buy DFI and Abit parts too, they went bye bye before the tariffs were a glimmer in Trump's eye. Companies come and go in this segment. Did the tariffs directly cause the company you mention to go out of business? Maybe. But, then again other case manufacturers are still doing just fine, the PC enthusiast and gaming market continues to expand and grow. Sounds like more of a business problem than a tariff problem. Guess they should have had more diverse suppliers and had products beyond just desktop cases.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that with a trade war there can be winners and losers, causalities. But if this trade war was a good idea or not will be told not by any single small company's rise or fall (or from 200 people being temporarily laid off).

 

[artvscommerce]

I used to buy DFI and Abit parts too, they went bye bye before the tariffs were a glimmer in Trump's eye. Companies come and go in this segment. Did the tariffs directly cause the company you mention to go out of business? Maybe. But, then again other case manufacturers are still doing just fine, the PC enthusiast and gaming market continues to expand and grow. Sounds like more of a business problem than a tariff problem. Guess they should have had more diverse suppliers and had products beyond just desktop cases.

Don't get me wrong, I understand that with a trade war there can be winners and losers, causalities. But if this trade war was a good idea or not will be told not by any single small company's rise or fall (or from 200 people being temporarily laid off).

Well keep in mind, I brought all of this up because you implied you hadn't seen prices increase on things that you purchase.

You are correct in that there will be winners and losers but the data so far seems to suggest that american companies are the ones being hurt the most by the tariffs with many of the benefits going to non-american companies. Smaller american companies seem to be hit the hardest which is not good for competition or innovation in the market.

I am seeing plenty of evidence that this tariff strategy was not only ineffective at attaining its goals of reducing the trade deficit, but it actually seems to be accelerating the very issue it was supposed to address.

btw- DFI is still going strong, they just make industrial motherboards and systems now.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Well keep in mind, I brought all of this up because you implied you hadn't seen prices increase on things that you purchase.

You are correct in that there will be winners and losers but the data so far seems to suggest that american companies are the ones being hurt the most by the tariffs with many of the benefits going to non-american companies. Smaller american companies seem to be hit the hardest which is not good for competition or innovation in the market.

I am seeing plenty of evidence that this tariff strategy was not only ineffective at attaining its goals of reducing the trade deficit, but it actually seems to be accelerating the very issue it was supposed to address.

btw- DFI is still going strong, they just make industrial motherboards and systems now.

And I posted a link to show that PC part prices really haven't budged. And I think we'd both agree that the enthusiast PC market, the gaming market are expanding. I'd expect such luxury products to see a dent if the tariffs were really that harmful.

Didn't know DFI was still around, thanks. Haven't owned one since the socket A days, haven't seen them around.

 

[artvscommerce]

And I posted a link to show that PC part prices really haven't budged. And I think we'd both agree that the enthusiast PC market, the gaming market are expanding. I'd expect such luxury products to see a dent if the tariffs were really that harmful.

Didn't know DFI was still around, thanks. Haven't owned one since the socket A days, haven't seen them around.

The link you provided only shows dates ranges that were post-tariffs so its not really possible for the data to show the majority of the impact from tariffs. Prices also tend to go down (and sometimes up) on components over time. The chart doesn't show what the price changes would have been without the tariffs. However if you you dig a little deeper on this issue or talk to some of the component vendors you would see how big of a negative impact this has had.

The extra 25% has to come from somewhere- and it isn't coming from China. Companies are forced to choose between making thinner margins or passing the added costs on to the consumer. Either way it is the US that is paying these added costs and all we seem to be getting in return is an even larger trade deficit.

With the trade deficit growing and the cost of goods rising, I am really struggling to see how anyone can support this approach.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

Looks like cases would be the outlier then.

I can tell you my Thermaltake View 71 RGB is about $10 more than when I bought maybe 18 months ago. But, I don't think that tells us anything.

Seasonic said around the beginning of the year their power supplies will cost approximately $20 more due to tariffs. Seems to be mostly true.
However this is one area where we sort of agree. If China is using some machinations to make the power supply at a lower cost, I would rather there be a tariff and accept I need to pay more for the power supply due to the tariff. Gives other more friendly countries or US business a chance to compete.
I would prefer to have a plan in place which the President does not appear to have. That is what I don't like about the twitter tariff threats.

 

[thilanliyan]

Gives other more friendly countries or US business a chance to compete.
I would prefer to have a plan in place which the President does not appear to have. That is what I don't like about the twitter tariff threats.

I seriously doubt even these tariffs would allow any US-based company to manufacture PC components and price them competitively with Chinese-made products. Most hardware companies already moved facilities to China/Asia...bringing them back would be a massive headache for them, and who knows what will happen with the next US admin.

 

[artvscommerce]

I seriously doubt even these tariffs would allow any US-based company to manufacture PC components and price them competitively with Chinese-made products. Most hardware companies already moved facilities to China/Asia...bringing them back would be a massive headache for them, and who knows what will happen with the next US admin.

The tariffs are creating uncertainty and that is causing capital investment to be far more limited than it would be otherwise. This is yet another example of why this strategy will continue to accelerate the trade deficit rather than reduce it.

 

[fskimospy]

I'm old enough to remember when Republicans said that Obama was creating regulatory uncertainty and how that was very very bad.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

I seriously doubt even these tariffs would allow any US-based company to manufacture PC components and price them competitively with Chinese-made products. Most hardware companies already moved facilities to China/Asia...bringing them back would be a massive headache for them, and who knows what will happen with the next US admin.

I know but it’s hard to say what would have happened if the market was monitored better or if this went on for 8 years or if by some miracle Congress decides to agree and put some business incentives out.

 

[Mandres]

Isn't this just a symptom of the shift towards the new worker-less workplace? In 20 years will the manufacture of steel, or cars, or oil & gas products require even a fraction of the human labor that it does today? it sure doesn't seem like it.

Look at US Steel - invest 1+ billion into a new plant, and still layoff workers from the old one. Do you think that new plant needs anywhere near as many operators to run?

This isn't an R or a D thing, and certainly not a Trump thing. This is the new reality as walking, seeing, learning robots begin to take over every bit of physical work that our society and economy require. And that's a good thing, as long as those displaced workers are provided for from the same largesse that the new efficiency is creating.

 

[dainthomas]

Ummm, not trying to support Trump, but your thread title is misleading. "Less than 200" is not "hundreds".

Not to get all grammar-y, but technically anything over a hundred is hundreds, over a thousand is thousands, etc.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Isn't this just a symptom of the shift towards the new worker-less workplace? In 20 years will the manufacture of steel, or cars, or oil & gas products require even a fraction of the human labor that it does today? it sure doesn't seem like it.

Look at US Steel - invest 1+ billion into a new plant, and still layoff workers from the old one. Do you think that new plant needs anywhere near as many operators to run?

This isn't an R or a D thing, and certainly not a Trump thing. This is the new reality as walking, seeing, learning robots begin to take over every bit of physical work that our society and economy require. And that's a good thing, as long as those displaced workers are provided for from the same largesse that the new efficiency is creating.

I work in IT and can tell you automation is the wave of the future in this area as well.

 

[dainthomas]

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

Looks like cases would be the outlier then.

I can tell you my Thermaltake View 71 RGB is about $10 more than when I bought maybe 18 months ago. But, I don't think that tells us anything.

My brother works at a car stereo place, and their prices shot up when the tariffs kicked in. Of course his sales (and commissions) went down a proportional amount. Fortunately I bought my new Kenwood right before that happened.

 

[fskimospy]

Isn't this just a symptom of the shift towards the new worker-less workplace? In 20 years will the manufacture of steel, or cars, or oil & gas products require even a fraction of the human labor that it does today? it sure doesn't seem like it.

Look at US Steel - invest 1+ billion into a new plant, and still layoff workers from the old one. Do you think that new plant needs anywhere near as many operators to run?

This isn't an R or a D thing, and certainly not a Trump thing. This is the new reality as walking, seeing, learning robots begin to take over every bit of physical work that our society and economy require. And that's a good thing, as long as those displaced workers are provided for from the same largesse that the new efficiency is creating.

Yup. One of my favorite sayings is that the end goal of technology is 100% unemployment.

 

[Victorian Gray]

Is there anyone at the national level you agree with?

Cthulhu

 

[Jhhnn]

And that's a good thing, as long as those displaced workers are provided for from the same largesse that the new efficiency is creating.

That would be Eevil Soshulism, boy! The ownership class only pays you when you're working for them. If they don't need you, they don't need you & it's all up to them to decide in the coming Capitalist utopia. Y'all can fuck right off & die for all they care.

 

[alien42]

Isn't this just a symptom of the shift towards the new worker-less workplace? In 20 years will the manufacture of steel, or cars, or oil & gas products require even a fraction of the human labor that it does today? it sure doesn't seem like it.

Look at US Steel - invest 1+ billion into a new plant, and still layoff workers from the old one. Do you think that new plant needs anywhere near as many operators to run?

This isn't an R or a D thing, and certainly not a Trump thing. This is the new reality as walking, seeing, learning robots begin to take over every bit of physical work that our society and economy require. And that's a good thing, as long as those displaced workers are provided for from the same largesse that the new efficiency is creating.

It is a R or D thing and Andrew Yang has a solution for it.

 

[ch33zw1z]

https://pcpartpicker.com/trends/

Looks like cases would be the outlier then.

I can tell you my Thermaltake View 71 RGB is about $10 more than when I bought maybe 18 months ago. But, I don't think that tells us anything.

Haha, a major vendor I work with has started opening manufacturing in other parts of the world because they have to stay competitive. Hint, they didn't open it in the U.S.A.

Their prices didn't go down, just trying to stop the bleeding.

Guess what, the China plants have been doing it so long they are quite good at it. So far, the new plants are newbs and it shows

 

[DrDoug]

Russian spokesman, Moscow Mitch, has recommended that Michigan follow his example and sell out the United States so they too can land a sweet Russian steel rolling mill deal like he did in Kentucky.



"Da! Kentucky economy strong now, like great bear manly Russian President rides!"

 

[ondma]

Not to get all grammar-y, but technically anything over a hundred is hundreds, over a thousand is thousands, etc.

No, two or more units of 100 is "hundreds". One hundred plus less than another hundred is not "hundreds" it is one hundred plus a fraction of another hundred.

 

[Meghan54]

This seemed rather appropriate......