Trump's Tariffs and Possible Trade War

[tusks_n_raider]

And some people say the left is not patriotic...

I realize you are venting your frustration, but man, have a little perspective.

I do have left lending tendencies and I’m absolutely 0% patriotic.

Washington DC is a cesspool of corruption and it has probably always had an element of that but now it’s just beyond the pale.

If our leaders want patriotic citizens then they should behave in ways that make you proud and not embarrassed and full of guilt.

I know I’m in the minority because my vote fell in the losing pile but regardless of that I feel that both Trump and Vance conduct themselves in an abhorrent way.

 

[Huckleberry]

Why Trump decided to take the win and paused tariff war

Donald Trump finally decided to take the proverbial “win” on trade and the stock market rallied nearly 3,000 points.

nypost.com

Why Trump decided to take the win and paused tariff war

Donald Trump finally decided to take the proverbial “win” on trade and the stock market rallied nearly 3,000 points.

You can thank the bond market, with an assist from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, for making it happen.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Why Trump decided to take the win and paused tariff war

Donald Trump finally decided to take the proverbial “win” on trade and the stock market rallied nearly 3,000 points.

nypost.com

Why Trump decided to take the win and paused tariff war

Donald Trump finally decided to take the proverbial “win” on trade and the stock market rallied nearly 3,000 points.

You can thank the bond market, with an assist from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, for making it happen.

He’ll do it again.

If the power isn’t taken away from him he will continue to abuse Tariffs to manipulate the markets for personal gain.

His inner circle had to have made a fortune today.

Those that guessed his tweet ‘now is a great time to BUY’ made bank as well.

Those that expected stocks to continue to spiral because of Tariffs lost their butts.

There is nowhere to invest right now that isn’t volatile.

 

[Tidewater]

I do have left lending tendencies and I’m absolutely 0% patriotic.

Washington DC is a cesspool of corruption and it has probably always had an element of that but now it’s just beyond the pale.

If our leaders want patriotic citizens then they should behave in ways that make you proud and not embarrassed and full of guilt.

I know I’m in the minority because my vote fell in the losing pile but regardless of that I feel that both Trump and Vance conduct themselves in an abhorrent way.

Okay, there is nothing inconsistent between finding Trump's behavior abhorrent and loving your country.
You can be disappointed in your countrymen's political choices, and still love your country.
This is truly an awesome country. I have been to 55 countries and there is not one like the US.
I do appreciate your honesty.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Well I guess he does "know what he is doing". Manipulating the market for his and his friends own personal gain.

 

[Maudiemae]

The same people who were angry about the stock market losses are now even angrier about the stock market gains. I’m starting to think this was never about the tariffs.

I just don't see how businesses can operate when the market is in constant swings. Should he really be playing games like this? I don't think so. Oh, and here's another big worry he's solved. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presiden...ing-acceptable-water-pressure-in-showerheads/

 

[bamaga]

I just don't see how businesses can operate when the market is in constant swings. Should he really be playing games like this? I don't think so. Oh, and here's another big worry he's solved. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presiden...ing-acceptable-water-pressure-in-showerheads/

I for one am glad he has addressed this serious subject. I am about to undertake a bathroom remodel and do not want to stand in aisle 13 in my local home improvement store looking befuddled at the shower instruments.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I know it's not going to come as a big surprise, but I'm much more skeptical. I find it extremely difficult to give Trump the benefit of the doubt.

Completely fair. But I'm generally an optimist to a fault, so even though I've been burned multiple times, I'm going to hope for the best. Mainly because how I feel really only affects me - it's not going to change a thing.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I do have left lending tendencies and I’m absolutely 0% patriotic.

Washington DC is a cesspool of corruption and it has probably always had an element of that but now it’s just beyond the pale.

Good luck finding any place on earth that's not led by disgusting humans.

Humans are pretty much all the same - those who shouldn't have power are those who crave it the most and are those who are drawn to run for these positions where they can abuse lead the people for their own benefit.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Good luck finding any place on earth that's not led by disgusting humans.

Humans are pretty much all the same - those who shouldn't have power are those who crave it the most and are those who are drawn to run for these positions where they can abuse lead the people for their own benefit.

You’re not wrong and I agree.

It just feels like we almost invite it now though with little to no pushback.

Trump is literally a convicted felon.

He’s I’m sure also gotten away with countless crimes we’ll never even know about.

He pardoned US citizens who committed physical treason at the US Capitol and now it’s even being thrown around the idea of paying back money for physical damage.

This place has become Bizzaro land.

Now today it’s almost impossible imo to not acknowledge that he’s manipulating Wall Street for financial gain instead of taking measures with Tariffs to improve some worldwide trade imbalance.

The way and manner that Trump and even Vance speak about other countries and people is gross.

Vance refers to Chinese citizens as ‘peasants’.

That’s inflammatory to them I’m sure.

It’s not that I’ve never been patriotic but that it’s been snuffed out.

I never tell new people online that I’m an American because I’m embarrassed about what our country has become and what it’s devolving into.

The friends I do have in Canada, England, Australia, and Japan…. I always start off conversations with some form of ‘I’m sorry’ about what America/and/or Trump had done/is doing.

I don’t like or enjoy feeling how I feel about America and the majority of American citizens.

Where is a better place to live? I don’t know but I’m going to try and find it.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I never tell new people online that I’m an American because I’m embarrassed about what our country has become and what it’s devolving into.

The friends I do have in Canada, England, Australia, and Japan…. I always start off conversations with some form of ‘I’m sorry’ about what America/and/or Trump had done/is doing.

I don’t like or enjoy feeling how I feel about America and the majority of American citizens.

I mean, you do realize that anyone who blames you - out of a country of 340 million - is an idiot, right?

I have TONS of friends and clients all over the globe - not a single one has asked me about US politics. I've travelled to other countries for friends' weddings, etc. - none of them has questioned me about US politics.

IOW, I think either you're projecting or you need better friends.

 

[Maudiemae]

I mean, you do realize that anyone who blames you - out of a country of 340 million - is an idiot, right?

I have TONS of friends and clients all over the globe - not a single one has asked me about US politics. I've travelled to other countries for friends' weddings, etc. - none of them has questioned me about US politics.

IOW, I think either you're projecting or you need better friends.

It's people who are not your friends or clients who are more likely to say something. People who have a connection to you are going to be polite and avoid the subject. I have friends and relatives who are trumpies. We don't talk about it. Friends of mine were on a trip when he won the first time. They were in London when it was announced in the wee hours but Bill was up, watching. He woke Susan up. They were devastated. All the following day, everywhere they went, Londoners would express their sympathy whenever they realized Bill and Susan were Americans. Later, when my husband and I traveled to England, we heard people making disparaging comments about Trump, including a costumed tour guide at the Tower of London. He made a joke but it did not flatter Trump. I am embarrassed by the US, too.

 

[crimsonaudio]

It's people who are not your friends or clients who are more likely to say something. People who have a connection to you are going to be polite and avoid the subject. I have friends and relatives who are trumpies. We don't talk about it. Friends of mine were on a trip when he won the first time. They were in London when it was announced in the wee hours but Bill was up, watching. He woke Susan up. They were devastated. All the following day, everywhere they went, Londoners would express their sympathy whenever they realized Bill and Susan were Americans. Later, when my husband and I traveled to England, we heard people making disparaging comments about Trump, including a costumed tour guide at the Tower of London. He made a joke but it did not flatter Trump. I am embarrassed by the US, too.

I get it, but the irony of anyone from the UK making fun of the US is absolutely amazing.

The UK is about five steps ahead of the worst-case scenario of where we are in the US.

And FWIW, my clients are artists - they're not going to 'spare my feelings' when it comes to expressing themselves. The reality is those who live in the EU and UK are keenly aware of how broken their system is - ours isn't nearly as bad as you think in comparison...

 

[AWRTR]

It's people who are not your friends or clients who are more likely to say something. People who have a connection to you are going to be polite and avoid the subject. I have friends and relatives who are trumpies. We don't talk about it. Friends of mine were on a trip when he won the first time. They were in London when it was announced in the wee hours but Bill was up, watching. He woke Susan up. They were devastated. All the following day, everywhere they went, Londoners would express their sympathy whenever they realized Bill and Susan were Americans. Later, when my husband and I traveled to England, we heard people making disparaging comments about Trump, including a costumed tour guide at the Tower of London. He made a joke but it did not flatter Trump. I am embarrassed by the US, too.

I hear and see people in the US make fun of leaders of other countries all the time. Who cares. Biden was a running joke all over the world.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

I just don't see how businesses can operate when the market is in constant swings. Should he really be playing games like this? I don't think so. Oh, and here's another big worry he's solved. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presiden...ing-acceptable-water-pressure-in-showerheads/

That’s a fair point, but I don’t think his intention is to maintain the chaos over a long period of time. I could be wrong, though. Lord knows, I’ve been wrong about Trump before.

Also, the showerhead thing is fine by me. Terrible water pressure in the shower can ruin my day.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

I am embarrassed by the US, too.

I’m not embarrassed by my country, but I am embarrassed by the fact that I have to share it with so many people who are as soft as they are dumb. Our education system was once the best in the world, but now? And look at the work ethic around here. Ugh!

Which leads to my second point: I’m also embarrassed by my government and our political parties and culture. I used to argue that we deserve better, but we really don’t. Seemingly few people are bothered by the fact that our most profitable industry involves dropping bombs on people. We readily acknowledge that the western media is primarily propagandist horse crap, but rather than demand accountability, we just move on to social media and call it good.

There is much to criticize around here, but look at the UK. It is literally an Orwellian nightmare. People are going to jail over Facebook posts. So I think I’ll stick around because for all its faults, I can still openly criticize the people and systems in this country who deserve it and I can do so without repercussion. At least we have that.

 

[JDCrimson]

Today's post from the economist I follow...

Troubled Treasuries

The recent steepening of the yield curve and the astounding and quick rise in 10-year and 30-year Treasury rates suggest several all-bad possibilities. Is there concern that a recession could strain federal government resources? Is China selling Treasuries? Is everyone deleveraging Treasury trades all at once, and thus is everyone looking for cash simultaneously? Who knows, but this is potentially terrifying. Maybe it helps explain the sudden 90-day tariff pause.

 

[Bamaro]

Bessent must have been the 'last person in the room'. Tariffs have been a struggle between Navarro and Bessent for awhile. Probably the public argument between Musk and Navarro contributed to it also. For now, Bessent is winning. Dont trust the 90 day suspension. Trump can, and may, change his mind at any time since he deeply believes in tariffs.

 

[Bamaro]

 

[cdub55]

So was disrupting the supply chain, tumbling the markets, and blinking RIGHT AFTER the EU raised tariffs again flexibility??

Come on, I’m fine with negotiating but this guy wanted to come out and say these countries were all kissing his behind, that’s all this was ever about. And btw - do we have any source other than the guy who lies about everything that 75 countries actually DID call him to negotiate? Or is this yer another “l will build a wall and Mexico pays for it” moment?

Lets assume you run a business and your business has a customer. Not just any customer. He buys 15% of all your purchases that you have for that year. He is single handedly the biggest contributor to your wealth in sales. Now, lets assume one day that customer calls you and leaves a voicemail that says, "Hey Jimbo, I been thinking about it and I buy a lot of stuff from you. Like a lot a lot. I mean I really do like your stuff but I just feel like I could get a better deal, you know? I got word that you let Cleetus my neighbor buy some stuff last week and you cut him a much better deal than I've ever got. How come? I mean I still want to do business with you but I just think we need to sit down and see if we can come up with something that is good for the both of us. Give me a call back." Do you think, as a smart business man, do you call back Mr. Tom? Me thinks the answer is a resounding YES!