Trumponomics

[Shadrach]

I recall that in postwar Australia there were varying tariffs on a whole host of goods and the Customs people had a bible of duties about 10" thick. Importing was incredibly complicated.

I guess very quickly, China and other high tariff countries will open plants in the lowest tariff countries, assemble there and then export to the US. This will be a never ending cycle of tariff reactions creating global insecurity and an overall downturn in the world wide economy. Working class and poorer Americans are heading for tough times that could go on for years.

How can this Madness be allowed? Why are all the countries charging each other all these tariffs, when they know the tariffs are paid by their own people? Am I wrong or aren't other countries charging tariffs to each other also, besides just the US? I'm confused how this benefits anyone?
Also, I really don't like how America is just a 2 party system, and members vote by what their party wants, not necessarily what is the right thing to do!

 

[Shadrach]

Another thing that makes me Crazy is everyday on the News, is Israel bombing the Shit out of Gaza, and all the World just says this is so horrible, and Do Nothing, but say they'll Pray for it To Stop! Where are All the Governments not just putting their foot down, and Stop this? Now they say without food and medical deliveries, these People are just going to Starve to Death!
Why not Everyone Boycott Israel, and cut them off of all Assistance?

 

[centurion]

Another thing that makes me Crazy is everyday on the News, is Israel bombing the Shit out of Gaza, and all the World just says this is so horrible, and Do Nothing, but say they'll Pray for it To Stop! Where are All the Governments not just putting their foot down, and Stop this? Now they say without food and medical deliveries, these People are just going to Starve to Death!
Why not Everyone Boycott Israel, and cut them off of all Assistance?

That was yesterday today the tariffs are the news of the day.

 

[centurion]

How can this Madness be allowed? Why are all the countries charging each other all these tariffs, when they know the tariffs are paid by their own people? Am I wrong or aren't other countries charging tariffs to each other also, besides just the US? I'm confused how this benefits anyone?
Also, I really don't like how America is just a 2 party system, and members vote by what their party wants, not necessarily what is the right thing to do!

Making tariffs instead of making love.

 

[Hawk256]

Another thing that makes me Crazy is everyday on the News, is Israel bombing the Shit out of Gaza, and all the World just says this is so horrible, and Do Nothing, but say they'll Pray for it To Stop! Where are All the Governments not just putting their foot down, and Stop this? Now they say without food and medical deliveries, these People are just going to Starve to Death!
Why not Everyone Boycott Israel, and cut them off of all Assistance?

Probably the only thing in the world I agree with you on but as long as the US is supporting Israel, they will continue to do what they want and no one in the world is going to stop them. It's terrible to watch a genocide in progress but no one is in a position to do anything to help and likely never will be. The UN votes to punish Israel and the US vetos it since it has veto power for any UN action. Great idea whoever decided that one by the way.

 

[Balifrog]

Well the markets appreciated...
Nasdaq down 6%
Dow Jones 4%
S&P 500 5%

And my own (modest) portfolio down 4,7%

And the benefits for the good American unionized autoworkers start to show already...

Stellantis shuts down four plants due to Trump's tariffs - UPI.com

Auto manufacturer Stellantis has temporarily laid off around 900 American workers and close to 4,500 Canadian employees in an effort to work around President Donald Trump's 25% automotive tariffs.

www.upi.com

"April 3 (UPI) -- Stellantis on Thursday paused work at two assembly plants in Mexico and Canada Thursday to work around President Donald Trump's 25% automotive tariffs.

Work will be paused for two weeks at its Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario starting on Monday, Canada and for all of April at its Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico.

Workers at the Mexican plant will still report to work daily but not work on making cars, as per their contracts.

The company temporarily laid off around 900 American workers and close to 4,500 Canadian employees"

 

[Balifrog]

Probably the only thing in the world I agree with you on but as long as the US is supporting Israel, they will continue to do what they want and no one in the world is going to stop them. It's terrible to watch a genocide in progress but no one is in a position to do anything to help and likely never will be. The UN votes to punish Israel and the US vetos it since it has veto power for any UN action. Great idea whoever decided that one by the way.

Note that of 15 million Jews wordwide, 6,3 live in the US.

"Visualization of Urban Areas by Jewish Population Haredi Jewish residents in Brooklyn, and home to the US largest Jewish community, which with over 561,000 adherents living in the borough, is greater than Tel Aviv. New York City is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel."

"As of the eve of Rosh Hashanah 2024, the global Jewish population stood at 15.8 million, with 7.3 million residing in Israel and 6.3 million in the United States"

And they are not blue collar workers, they are a very powerfull loby !

The World's Jewish Billionaires 2025 - Forbes Israel

Rankings Behind the numbers and data stand the people who shaped the world through groundbreaking innovation in technology, science, and culture. Forbes Israel’s 2025 ranking goes beyond wealth and assets – it tells the story of Jewish entrepreneurs who turned their vision into reality and...

forbes.co.il

 

[Shadrach]

Well the markets appreciated...
Nasdaq down 6%
Dow Jones 4%
S&P 500 5%

And my own (modest) portfolio down 4,7%

And the benefits for the good American unionized autoworkers start to show already...

Stellantis shuts down four plants due to Trump's tariffs - UPI.com

Auto manufacturer Stellantis has temporarily laid off around 900 American workers and close to 4,500 Canadian employees in an effort to work around President Donald Trump's 25% automotive tariffs.

www.upi.com

"April 3 (UPI) -- Stellantis on Thursday paused work at two assembly plants in Mexico and Canada Thursday to work around President Donald Trump's 25% automotive tariffs.

Work will be paused for two weeks at its Windsor Assembly Plant in Ontario starting on Monday, Canada and for all of April at its Toluca Assembly Plant in Mexico.

Workers at the Mexican plant will still report to work daily but not work on making cars, as per their contracts.

The company temporarily laid off around 900 American workers and close to 4,500 Canadian employees"

This is a Big mistake! The American plants are no way Ready! All I see is a lot of Workers getting laid off, everywhere, and Rich people getting huge Tax breaks? Yea, tell their Hungry kids, this is Great, and going to make Everything Better! Please tell us, how closing schools, factories,Cancer research facilities, Veteran hospitals, Old folks homes, Meals on Wheels, free lunches for poor children, Etc, is going to put food on the table?

 

[Shadrach]

Note that of 15 million Jews wordwide, 6,3 live in the US.

"Visualization of Urban Areas by Jewish Population Haredi Jewish residents in Brooklyn, and home to the US largest Jewish community, which with over 561,000 adherents living in the borough, is greater than Tel Aviv. New York City is home to the largest Jewish community outside of Israel."

"As of the eve of Rosh Hashanah 2024, the global Jewish population stood at 15.8 million, with 7.3 million residing in Israel and 6.3 million in the United States"

And they are not blue collar workers, they are a very powerfull loby !

The World's Jewish Billionaires 2025 - Forbes Israel

Rankings Behind the numbers and data stand the people who shaped the world through groundbreaking innovation in technology, science, and culture. Forbes Israel’s 2025 ranking goes beyond wealth and assets – it tells the story of Jewish entrepreneurs who turned their vision into reality and...

forbes.co.il

Is what they are doing now, any different from what happened in Ww2? Stopping them from Bombing Gaza, is not Antisemitic!

 

[John indonesia]

Heard and McDonald Islands: 10% (charges U.S. 10%

Evidently the penguins are charging the US 10% since that's all that populate Heard island and no one lives on McDonald Island either.

That can't be right. I understand Trump is very familiar with McD

 

[Bob]

That can't be right. I understand Trump is very familiar with McD

Maybe he thought he was giving himself a discount on Big Macs.

 

[fastpitch17]

Never thought I would say this but the Chinese gov is clearly out smarting the US Administration.

Not only holding things back but implementing Tariffs on agriculture goods that will affect the red states who overwhelmingly voted for trump. They are turning his backers against him. Of course, all wounds are self inflicted.

China Hits Back at US Tariffs With Rare Earth Export Controls

China placed export restrictions on key rare earth elements on Friday as part of its sweeping response to President Donald Trump's tariffs, potentially squeezing supply to the U.S. and the West of minerals vital to everything from defense to electric cars.

gcaptain.com

 

[Shadrach]

Protest Marches in America Now!

 

[harryopal1]

Just reading now that Elon Musk hopes for a day with zero tariff and free trade around the world. Apart from pulling in money for governments from tariffs my impression is that much was to do with protecting local industries by imposing tariffs on cheap imports that threatened the viability of home production. Zero tariffs would just take us back to where imports from countries with the cheapest labour and production costs would again undermine local production causing closures and unemployment,

I guess Musk is looking forward to resuming manufacture and export of EVs from China and outpricing US and other competitors.

Australian dollar plunges as Elon Musk hopes for 'zero-tariff situation'

With US President Donald Trump's tariffs risking a global trade war and a US recession, the Australian share market is set to dive when it opens on Monday morning.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Shadrach]

Just reading now that Elon Musk hopes for a day with zero tariff and free trade around the world. Apart from pulling in money for governments from tariffs my impression is that much was to do with protecting local industries by imposing tariffs on cheap imports that threatened the viability of home production. Zero tariffs would just take us back to where imports from countries with the cheapest labour and production costs would again undermine local production causing closures and unemployment,

I guess Musk is looking forward to resuming manufacture and export of EVs from China and outpricing US and other competitors.

Australian dollar plunges as Elon Musk hopes for 'zero-tariff situation'

With US President Donald Trump's tariffs risking a global trade war and a US recession, the Australian share market is set to dive when it opens on Monday morning.

www.abc.net.au

I like the idea of zero tariffs, and free trade around the World. But I am thinking only of being able to buy products from other countries, not available in your home country. I remember when I was a child, there were lots of Mom, and Pop stores in every town. Then Big Box Stores came in, and took over, and killed all the small businesses. Things used to be made with quality, and not just throw away cheap plastic imports!
The problem is people not caring about each other, and putting Profits above Quality! If the Governments would stop subsidizing Big Businesses, it would give the small businesses a fighting chance! Please someone explain this better than I can?

 

[harryopal1]

I think most of us have been in the position where there was a quality German made screwdriver for $12 or a look alike, seemingly but not actually, quality screwdriver for $2.50.
Made in China of course. The natural tendency is for people to buy the cheaper item when shopping. This is why tariffs became so commonplace post, to protect the local manufacturers but then as worldwide pressure mounted to remove tariffs there was a tsunami of cheap products across the spectrum of consumer buying. With less tariffs in developed countries industries just disappeared.

Historically these kind of trade issues are driven by the advantaged countries without regard to the social impact in other countries. In the 18th century as British cotton mills began to thrive, raw cotton was purchased in India while steep tariffs were imposed on Indian manufactured cotton. In the late 18th century the tax rose to 85% ad valorem (Measured against the value of the items.) In the 19th early century the tax ran about at about 65% ad valorem. The impact in India was enormous with mass starvation and millions reduced to abject poverty.

When it comes to trade the issues of social fairness often are of no account.

 

[fastpitch17]

Just reading now that Elon Musk hopes for a day with zero tariff and free trade around the world. Apart from pulling in money for governments from tariffs my impression is that much was to do with protecting local industries by imposing tariffs on cheap imports that threatened the viability of home production. Zero tariffs would just take us back to where imports from countries with the cheapest labour and production costs would again undermine local production causing closures and unemployment,

I guess Musk is looking forward to resuming manufacture and export of EVs from China and outpricing US and other competitors.

Australian dollar plunges as Elon Musk hopes for 'zero-tariff situation'

With US President Donald Trump's tariffs risking a global trade war and a US recession, the Australian share market is set to dive when it opens on Monday morning.

www.abc.net.au

I look at musk out there saying how it all needs to be free trade as a way for musk to be out there saying, let me sell my cars there with no added cost.

 

[Shadrach]

Maybe they could make Trump drink some too, and he'd stop being such a jerk?
Mario Tama/Getty Images
NEW YORK (The Borowitz Report)—Offering a remedy to last week’s devastating crash on global stock markets, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said on Monday that the plummeting trend could be reversed if investors would drink high doses of cod liver oil.

“Stocks are crashing because investors are in a bad mood, and the reason they are in a bad mood is because they are not getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids,” he said. “This is what caused the Great Depression.”

Bolstering the credibility of his suggestion, he added, “Dr. Oz is with me on this.”

Kennedy’s prescription, however, was met with skepticism from financial experts, who noted that tariffs on cod liver oil had made the liquid virtually unaffordable.

 

[Shadrach]

Some photos from The Portland March in US.

 

[Shadrach]

More Portland March photos!