Monday, Sep. 06, 1993

Paying Protection Money

By Source: GATT

Government tariffs, subsidies and quotas protect jobs and incomes -- but at a price to the American consumer. In fact, in some industries the yearly cost of saving a job through protectionism is much more than the jobs actually pay. Here are some examples:

INDUSTRY COST OF PROTECTION

(per job saved)

specialty steel........................$1 million

color TVs..............................$420,000

ceramic tiles..........................$135,000

clothing...............................$36,000-$82,000

agriculture............................$20,000 (per farmer)

dairy..................................$1,800 (per cow)