Trump Blinked

Say it aint so · May 18, 2025

Vambram said:
Did you see the stock market today? It rocked, as I told you it would last week. Things are heading in the right direction, as I told you they would. By the end of August, my prediction will come true: The economy will be set to scale like a Elon Musk rocket ship. The ‘America first’ plan is coming together; President Trump just pulled off a move in Geneva that’s got the global elites shaking in their boots. The U.S. and China signed a 90-day tariff truce, slashing those crippling duties—ours from 145% to 30% on Chinese goods, theirs from 125% to 10% on American products. Trump’s calling it a “massive win” for American workers, and he’s dead right. This isn’t just a pause; it’s a power play, and as the NY Times said today, “Trump’s decision to impose, and then walk back, triple-digit tariffs on Chinese products over the past month demonstrated the power and global reach of U.S. trade policy.”

The Art of the Tariff

The plan is working.

dmlreport.com

When Trump announces he is undoing what he horribly did, the markets rebound.

It's like giving an arsonist credit for calling the fire department.

Vambram · May 18, 2025

Say it aint so said:
When Trump announces he is undoing what he horribly did, the markets rebound.

It's like giving an arsonist credit for calling the fire department.

We are doing a reset of our national economy so that the rest of the world is no longer taking advantage of the USA. I call that a win in my book.

Say it aint so · May 18, 2025

My predicition.

There will be no 200 trade deals at all.
As Trump et al announced, and to keep it out of public, they will just send those letters announcing tariff rates.

And that's it.

Say it aint so · May 18, 2025

Vambram said:
We are doing a reset of our national economy so that the rest of the world is no longer taking advantage of the USA. I call that a win in my book.

No one is taking advantage of us. We put protection tariffs on. Other countries put protective tariffs on. Don't succumb to Trump's insane idea of, because we as the nation who consumes far more than the next top four nations combined and thus there's a deficit, means we are being taken advantage of.

Bradskii · May 18, 2025

Vambram said:
We are doing a reset of our national economy...

So y'all be paying more for what the rest of the word produces. Great idea...

FreeinChrist · May 18, 2025

Say it aint so said:
No one is taking advantage of us. We put protection tariffs on. Other countries put protective tariffs on. Don't succumb to Trump's insane idea of, because we as the nation who consumes far more than the next top four nations combined and thus there's a deficit, means we are being taken advantage of.

That is what the ill-informed MAGA folks believe. They think that because the 340 million people in the US, who are pretty much richer than most in the world, consume more from another country than that country can spend, the US is being taken advantage of.

I wonder how they reason with the idea of tariffs on islands populated by penquins.

trophy33 · May 18, 2025

FreeinChrist said:
That is what the ill-informed MAGA folks believe. They think that because the 340 million people in the US, who are pretty much richer than most in the world, consume more from another country than that country can spend, the US is being taken advantage of.

I wonder how they reason with the idea of tariffs on islands populated by penquins.

Well, for example people in Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Qatar etc are richer than Americans, but their countries are not in trade deficits, they are in surplus.

It is more about the American culture of hoarding things and unlimited consuming, which can be also seen in the obesity rate, the consumer debt and other things.

trophy33 · May 19, 2025

Vambram said:
We are doing a reset of our national economy so that the rest of the world is no longer taking advantage of the USA. I call that a win in my book.

The issue is not any "other countries taking advantage of the USA", The issue is the ultra rich Americans taking advantage of common Americans, lending them money for life necessities and so constantly collecting and accumulating their resources in the hands of the few.

The cause of misery of an average American (you) is not China, but the USA. People like Trump and Musk do not represent you nor your problems or needs. They have their own goals.

Valletta · May 19, 2025

Bradskii said:
Yeah, 200 deals had been done. Oh, no...put a hold on that. It was a lie. They hadn't been done. But now he is going to do some deals. Ah, no. Hold on that as well. Apparently it's not possible to see everyone to make those deals. So now...'He said he thinks Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick “will be sending letters out” over the “next two or three weeks.”

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trump-says-countries-will-soon-get-letters-detailing-their-tariff-rates-heres-where-his-tariffs-stand-now-d5c9feda

That's nice. A letter. 'Dear India, I hope you're well. The weather is great here. Melania sends her love. Your tariffs will be 25%. Love, Donald'

Somebody in the not too distant future will make a musical about this. Actually, the technical name for the production will be a farce. The Brits are good at them. Younger people will confuse it for a documentary. Some of us will smile wistfully and tell them 'No. It actually happened exactly like that.'

They won't believe it. I know that for a fact. Because I have difficulty believing it now, as it actually happens.

Statements from companies involved seem positive:

Bechtel to Lead Expansion of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport - Bechtel

Bechtel signs Saudi airport deal during U.S. President’s visit Bechtel today signed an agreement with the King Salman International Airport Development Company to serve as the delivery partner for three new terminals at King Salman International Airport (KSIA) in Riyadh….

www.bechtel.com

Trump: Boeing wins Qatar Airways order of up to 210 jets

The commitment from the state-owned airline comes as Boeing pushes to rebuild its business.

www.bbc.com

https://www.oracle.com/sa/news/announcement/oracles-commitment-to-saudi-arabia-and-president-trumps-vision-for-global-prosperity-2025-05-13/

Bradskii · May 19, 2025

Valletta said:
Statements from companies involved seem positive:

Bechtel to Lead Expansion of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman International Airport - Bechtel

Bechtel signs Saudi airport deal during U.S. President’s visit Bechtel today signed an agreement with the King Salman International Airport Development Company to serve as the delivery partner for three new terminals at King Salman International Airport (KSIA) in Riyadh….

www.bechtel.com

Trump: Boeing wins Qatar Airways order of up to 210 jets

The commitment from the state-owned airline comes as Boeing pushes to rebuild its business.

www.bbc.com

https://www.oracle.com/sa/news/announcement/oracles-commitment-to-saudi-arabia-and-president-trumps-vision-for-global-prosperity-2025-05-13/

Bechtel have been dealing with the Saudis since the mid 20th century. They actually run Saudi's National Project Management Office, overseeing all their major infrastructure. They originally built the airport. I'd be absolutely astonished if they hadn't got the contract. It had absolutely nothing to do with Trump.

Bechtel charged with managing Saudi Arabia's infrastructure

San Francisco-based Bechtel, the nation's largest construction and civil engineering firm, last week landed a contract befitting an enterprise of its..

builtworlds.com

And Qatar already has over 140 Boeing aircraft, many more than ones from Airbus. No surprise there. And Boeing doesn't make any parts of their planes. They're almost all imported. Quite a lot from down here. That deal helps Australia no end. What were the tariffs Trump has put on those parts? 10% I believe...

Boeing Aerostructures Australia

www.boeing.com.au

wing2000 · May 19, 2025

trophy33 said:
The cause of misery of an average American (you) is not China, but the USA. People like Trump and Musk do not represent you nor your problems or needs. They have their own goals.

David Frum writes:

"...a tariff is a uniquely regressive tax, one that falls most heavily on the least affluent people in society. Imagine a low-income family eating a meal at home. The table is tariffed, the chairs are tariffed, the plates are tariffed, the knives and forks are tariffed, the Canadian wheat in the pasta is tariffed. Now imagine a wealthy family eating a meal in a restaurant. Their tables, chairs, and so on might be tariffed too. But the most important costs in their restaurant meal are the wages of the chef and the servers, the rent the restaurant pays to occupy its premises, and other overheads. Those costs are not tariffed. Basically, the more of your income you spend on services, the less you pay in tariffs. Income that is saved and invested pays no tariff at all, so the richer you are, the more of your income you can save and invest.

The working man’s car is tariffed. The rich man’s chauffeur is not tariffed.

The poor girl’s dolls are tariffed. The nanny hired to play dolls with the rich girl is not tariffed.

Towels are tariffed. Membership fees at the sports club are not.

The doorknob is tariffed. The butler who stands by to open the door is not."

The Ultimate Bait and Switch of Trump’s Tariffs

How to understand the phony trade deals with Britain and China

www.theatlantic.com

Valletta · May 19, 2025

wing2000 said:
David Frum writes:

"...a tariff is a uniquely regressive tax, one that falls most heavily on the least affluent people in society. Imagine a low-income family eating a meal at home. The table is tariffed, the chairs are tariffed, the plates are tariffed, the knives and forks are tariffed, the Canadian wheat in the pasta is tariffed. Now imagine a wealthy family eating a meal in a restaurant. Their tables, chairs, and so on might be tariffed too. But the most important costs in their restaurant meal are the wages of the chef and the servers, the rent the restaurant pays to occupy its premises, and other overheads. Those costs are not tariffed. Basically, the more of your income you spend on services, the less you pay in tariffs. Income that is saved and invested pays no tariff at all, so the richer you are, the more of your income you can save and invest.

The working man’s car is tariffed. The rich man’s chauffeur is not tariffed.

The poor girl’s dolls are tariffed. The nanny hired to play dolls with the rich girl is not tariffed.

Towels are tariffed. Membership fees at the sports club are not.

The doorknob is tariffed. The butler who stands by to open the door is not."

The Ultimate Bait and Switch of Trump’s Tariffs

How to understand the phony trade deals with Britain and China

www.theatlantic.com

Like the Obama and Biden tariffs, these changes in tariffs have varying effect. Tariffs on new cars, for example, don't affect the very poor much because many do not plan on purchasing a new car. They do bring in a lot of money for our country which can be used for tax cuts. Hopefully Democrats will join in in helping Trump eliminate taxes on tips (many of the working poor survive on their tips) as well as giving a $4000 credit for seniors, seniors who have been hurt by Biden administration inflation. Finally, realize tariffs are being used as a bargaining tool. With China, for example, we can force them to reduce the amount of fentanyl flowing into our country and killing so many of our young people. With Russia and Iran tariffs can be used as leverage to slow their violence.

wing2000 · May 19, 2025

Valletta said:
Like the Obama and Biden tariffs, these changes in tariffs have varying effect.

There is no likeness between targetted tariffs and across the board tariffs.

Valletta said:
Tariffs on new cars, for example, don't affect the very poor much because many do not plan on purchasing a new car.

The poor are impacted by the increased cost of replacement parts and repair.

Valletta · May 19, 2025

wing2000 said:
There is no likeness between targetted tariffs and across the board tariffs.

The poor are impacted by the increased cost of replacement parts and repair.

For those who own a car, so too the low price of gas will effect their budget.

Say it aint so · May 19, 2025

Valletta said:
Like the Obama and Biden tariffs, these changes in tariffs have varying effect. Tariffs on new cars, for example, don't affect the very poor much because many do not plan on purchasing a new car. They do bring in a lot of money for our country which can be used for tax cuts. Hopefully Democrats will join in in helping Trump eliminate taxes on tips (many of the working poor survive on their tips) as well as giving a $4000 credit for seniors, seniors who have been hurt by Biden administration inflation. Finally, realize tariffs are being used as a bargaining tool. With China, for example, we can force them to reduce the amount of fentanyl flowing into our country and killing so many of our young people. With Russia and Iran tariffs can be used as leverage to slow their violence.

When the prices of new cars go up and price people out that market, those people choose to opt for used cars instead. And those prices of used cars go up. That does effect poor people. To have Joe Six pack paying tariff taxes to subsidize tax cuts for the rich is not something to crow about. Not sure why you think it good. DOGE was suppose to find all the money to fund the tax cuts for the rich. What happened? Come the Trump bill and just like the least Trump tax cut bill. Why is it tax cuts for the rich go in perpetuity, but the tax cuts for everyone else, in this case seniors as you note, sunset coming to an end? The Dems were trying to reverse that. No GOP on board. Tariff Russian and Iran? One country missing from Trump's Liberation day of tariff increases was in fact Russian, while we don't trade with Iran. The smart thing to do is create a trade pack with nations like Vietnam and other Pacific Rim countries, so they trade with each other and isolate China. Oh yeah, Trump tore that up and now look where we're at.

Valletta · May 19, 2025

trophy33 said:
The issue is not any "other countries taking advantage of the USA", The issue is the ultra rich Americans taking advantage of common Americans, lending them money for life necessities and so constantly collecting and accumulating their resources in the hands of the few.

The cause of misery of an average American (you) is not China, but the USA. People like Trump and Musk do not represent you nor your problems or needs. They have their own goals.

Fortunately Trump is fighting for the American worker, trying to bring back the industries the wealthy have shipped out. He has pushed for no taxes on tips for the working class of America and that is in the new bill. Trump also has advocated for no tax on Social Security for the elderly. Unfortunately the Democrats are opposing the changes that will help the average American and it take 60 votes to get rid of the tax on Social Security. What Trump and the Republicans are thus doing is giving a $4000 tax credit to seniors to help them financially recover from four years of Biden administration inflation.

Bradskii · May 19, 2025

Valletta said:
Fortunately Trump is fighting for the American worker, trying to bring back the industries the wealthy have shipped out.

Didn't we do this dance when I explained about manufactured goods like air confitioners? You only make a fifth of what you need. Now prices will rise because imported units and parts will rise. And if you did have the capacity to build them right now with equivalent quality and the same price as they are now then you'd be doing it.

You're not because you can't. The return of manufacturing is a pipe dream. It's a fantasy tale told by Trump to those who can't be bothered to investigate the matter.

You're being lied to. Wake up to reality.

Say it aint so · May 19, 2025

Valletta said:
Fortunately Trump is fighting for the American worker, trying to bring back the industries the wealthy have shipped out. He has pushed for no taxes on tips for the working class of America and that is in the new bill. Trump also has advocated for no tax on Social Security for the elderly. Unfortunately the Democrats are opposing the changes that will help the average American and it take 60 votes to get rid of the tax on Social Security. What Trump and the Republicans are thus doing is giving a $4000 tax credit to seniors to help them financially recover from four years of Biden administration inflation.

LOL, trying to bring back industries he makes use of in manufacturing his products still to this day.

trophy33 · May 20, 2025

Valletta said:
Fortunately Trump is fighting for the American worker, trying to bring back the industries the wealthy have shipped out.

How does it help the American worker? You do not have high unemployment and people do not want to do such jobs. So you will need
immigrants to work in such factories and the average American will just pay more in price.

Valletta said:
He has pushed for no taxes on tips for the working class of America and that is in the new bill.

What about pushing for the living wage for everybody who works full time, like in every normal country? Reliance on customer tips is a perversion in itself.

Focus on real problems and on real solutions, not on political marketing.

Bobber · May 20, 2025

Say it aint so said:
When Trump announces he is undoing what he horribly did, the markets rebound.

It's like giving an arsonist credit for calling the fire department.

Or it's like thanking a hacker for unlocking the files he encrypted.

Trump Blinked

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