I’m a fairly traditional libertarian but I’ve softened a bit on my definition of “essential industries”. If other countries make essential goods we need, and they become hostile to us or get conquered politically by those hostile to us, in a war we would be in a lot of trouble. We saw a bit of this during COVID when we couldn’t even make basic products.
No matter the subsidies they will still lose if their products suck. But we need some minimum ability to build things here if it all goes to hell.
No matter the subsidies they will still lose if their products suck. But we need some minimum ability to build things here if it all goes to hell.