I survived Biden’s mess and got nothing. I’ll survive Trump’s tariffs because we will get something for it. Debt needs to be reduced, trade imbalances need to reduced and we need to bring back companies to US We can’t survive long term by just Importing tons of cheap goods and at mercy of foreign govts for meds, electric grids, food, etc. plus does not create the kind of jobs we need long term. Should Amazon go down we would come to a stop as malls, stores, businesses here all closing down as can’t compete. I have cancelled Amazon (can’t even know what you are buying anymore anyway) and support local now. We need to buck up, spend less, make better choices and realize all countries are having issues they need us as badly as we appear to need them though so I believe something will shake out more in our favor and we at least get better security.
Finally, things are moving in the direction that I have wanted them to for years. Trade wars are for sissies: I'm talking about the real thing. Having fought them before, the Mexicans might well see us coming.
But not Canada.
Trump is absolutely right about this being a national security matter. Those pesky Native Americans might appear beaten, but one can never be too sure. After taking down Custer at the Little Big Horn, where did Sitting Bull escape to?
Canada.
I don't trust those Brits either. Who is to say they don't want their colonies back? Without their once awesome Navy, they would have to launch an overland attack. And where is the closest Commonwealth country from which they might do just that?
Canada.
Imposing tariffs on us, just because we imposed tariffs on them. . . . I mean, who the hell do they think they are? At long last, we have leadership that embraces the wisdom voiced by John Candy's character in the movie, Canadian Bacon:
"There's a time to think and a time to act. And this, gentlemen, is no time to think."
("No Time To Think." Hey, that's even better than "Make America Great Again.")
Biden policies made Russia the 8th largest economy. How? By all the stupid sanctions that caused Russian capital to be reinvested back into the Russian economy instead of fleeing to other countries.
This is the same play for Trump tariffs. They will force foreign producers to move more of their manufacturing to the US where policies can direct their existence to all the labor surplus areas. And more American producers will form and grow due to the better price competition landscape for American consumers. Lastly, Trump is dismantling the Global Order where ocean freight will get much more expensive because the US is no longer policing the seas for free, and this will also spur more investment in domestic production.
I'm going to write something that may be somewhat controversial & maybe I will hear why I am wrong. Not everyone in the US is poor. Too many people act as if that is so! Many people have the attention span of a gnat, too. What about all the businesses that went out of business in 2008? What about the businesses that heroically tried to stay in business during Covid? What about those people who work 2&3 jobs, which my parents did in order to give me & my sibs an opportunity for a better life? BYW, we also worked after school & weekend & summer jobs. It paid off for us. Why are so many unwilling to acknowledge these truths? Donate time & talents to Food banks, little pantries, carry socks in your car & a snack so that when you see someone in need, you can help a little? The current administration is trying to get some things straight. Be a little, just a little patient. Sheesh!
The biggest cost to the American public is the cost of energy and running the government bring those costs down and there will be more money in the pockets for the citizens of this country Oh Mexico says there going to start cracking down on the cartels what caused that
I saw some clips of the clown show that was the process for selecting the next democratic chair. Talk about doubling down on a failed strategy…. They have learned nothing.
I don't care if prices rise somewhat. I can pick and choose what to buy or not buy. I want more secure borders. If increasing tariffs by US forcing Mexico and Canada's "leaders" to increase their border's security, so be it.
We are $36 Trillion in debt. We’re adding approximately $1 Trillion in new debt every 90 days. We’re are running trade deficits with countries whose products and service we really do not need. Countries by the way that have facilitated millions of illegal entries along with deadly narcotics. Yes, the markets will roil a bit. Dems and their media acolytes will bitch and moan, but they’ve done nothing to address the fact that we’re essentially bankrupt. Right now debt makes up about 97-104% of our GDP depending upon whose stats you look at. This means we have a zero productivity economy. Some estimates forecast debt as 200% of GDP by 2050. Do people understand what that means? We’ll have no economy. We need severe cuts. We need to balance trade. This can can no longer be kicked down the road.
Trump is doing nothing that will effectively address the debt. Remember, he has promised "not to touch SS and Medicare." Without restructuring these entitlements to reflect the current and future demographics, nothing else we do will amount to a drop in the bucket. Starting trade wars with our allies will do nothing to solve our debt problems. It only makes products more expensive for Americans to buy.
Respectfully, there are two ways to fight debt without continually refinancing debt - cuts and growth. Time and again Trump has said we are sitting on the largest, greatest form of wealth in the world. Removing crippling restrictions and regulations on energy exploration and development combined with cutting wasteful spending combined with cutting trade deficits is the best way out of the mess we find ourselves in.
Adjusted for inflation, energy prices today are on par with their historical prices. $.29 a gallon in 1955 is the equivalent of $3.00 plus today. With oil being a global market, USA gas prices will only go down if Trump's desired increases in domestic production increase global supply and thereby push down prices worldwide. USA producers really do not want to depress oil prices as doing so would reduce profits. So, while Trump's tariff and oil production plans may make sense to MAGA simpletons, they will not work in the real world.
Small subcontractors' empty job calendars speak to the truth of what you say, Joe. If you have cash and need a home repair or reno job done, now is the time to call. You'll likely discover that the best tradesmen, those who usually are booked up weeks in advance, have time on their hands and are looking for work.
Why? Because, as several have told me, few customers have any disposable income, and are putting off work as a result.
Erick, no one is speaking of WHY Trump has placed tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. As detailed by Trump's press secretary Leavitt, it is to cause action from these countries to stop fentanyl being produced and then moved across our borders. Trump believes that pressuring these nations financially will force them into putting measures in place to actively stop those who make the fentanyl. Once these measures are in place, Trump will ease or reverse the tariffs. He believes in the long game economically, that our economy can withstand tariff pressures better than Mexico, Canada and China, and they will back down.
This isn't much different than what Reagan did with our military buildup against Russia.
So let's be clear up front about what this is. This is a Tax on the American people. If you are not smart enough to understand that, that's on you. Let's also be clear about the damage this will do. First off many small businesses are commodity based, which operate on razor thin margins. They have no choice but to apply the full amount of the tariff to it's products. If the tariffs remain for a long time, small businesses will close at record numbers (you will never hear about them on Fox News). Corporations have a responsibility to return a profit to it's share holders so they will pass on the majority if not all of the increase to the American consumer (like mine is getting ready to do). If they don't it will diminish their ability to hire, support pay increases, and invest in growth. This decision is so maniacally stupid on every level. All would agree that Mexico needs to be a part of the solution to address fentanyl, but taxing the American people is not how you go about it. Trump has proven time and again he doesn't truly care about the American people, but he does care about providing a tax break to the wealthy, this is one way to pay for it. I can't yet say I regret voting for him as I had no other option, hopefully he comes to his senses soon on this terrible decision.
So $36 Trillion dollars in debt with ridiculous trade imbalances with Mexico, Canada, China and many others by the way, you think this is sustainable? Our debt is about 100% of our GDP which means we have a zero productive GDP. If these imbalances continue and we continue to spend, small businesses won’t matter because there won’t be any. Credit card debt is at an all-time high. The overwhelming majority of consumers are making minimum payments at best. And you’re concerned about a tax on the American people. Buy maple syrup made in Vermont. By avocados grown here in the U.S. and by the way if small businesses are “commodity based”, they might want to rethink their GTM and value prop.
But avocados & Maple syrup made in the US are frequently more $$. I always saw Maple syrup as a luxury until I learned that pancake syrup, for me, is just not as tasty.
Of course it isn't, but the $36 trillion you reference has been built up over years of mis-management by congress and the Presidents, not because of a trade imbalance. You don't fix the issue by entering into a trade war with two very important trading partners, and taxing the American people. And yes, CC debt is absolutely too high so lets tax people so they have less money to pay it down (great solution). And your right, who cares about small business owners, they mean nothing to the fabric of America and what has built our great nation. Real compassion for those who will be hurt if this continues.
I survived Biden’s mess and got nothing. I’ll survive Trump’s tariffs because we will get something for it. Debt needs to be reduced, trade imbalances need to reduced and we need to bring back companies to US We can’t survive long term by just Importing tons of cheap goods and at mercy of foreign govts for meds, electric grids, food, etc. plus does not create the kind of jobs we need long term. Should Amazon go down we would come to a stop as malls, stores, businesses here all closing down as can’t compete. I have cancelled Amazon (can’t even know what you are buying anymore anyway) and support local now. We need to buck up, spend less, make better choices and realize all countries are having issues they need us as badly as we appear to need them though so I believe something will shake out more in our favor and we at least get better security.
Finally, things are moving in the direction that I have wanted them to for years. Trade wars are for sissies: I'm talking about the real thing. Having fought them before, the Mexicans might well see us coming.
But not Canada.
Trump is absolutely right about this being a national security matter. Those pesky Native Americans might appear beaten, but one can never be too sure. After taking down Custer at the Little Big Horn, where did Sitting Bull escape to?
Canada.
I don't trust those Brits either. Who is to say they don't want their colonies back? Without their once awesome Navy, they would have to launch an overland attack. And where is the closest Commonwealth country from which they might do just that?
Canada.
Imposing tariffs on us, just because we imposed tariffs on them. . . . I mean, who the hell do they think they are? At long last, we have leadership that embraces the wisdom voiced by John Candy's character in the movie, Canadian Bacon:
"There's a time to think and a time to act. And this, gentlemen, is no time to think."
("No Time To Think." Hey, that's even better than "Make America Great Again.")
Biden policies made Russia the 8th largest economy. How? By all the stupid sanctions that caused Russian capital to be reinvested back into the Russian economy instead of fleeing to other countries.
This is the same play for Trump tariffs. They will force foreign producers to move more of their manufacturing to the US where policies can direct their existence to all the labor surplus areas. And more American producers will form and grow due to the better price competition landscape for American consumers. Lastly, Trump is dismantling the Global Order where ocean freight will get much more expensive because the US is no longer policing the seas for free, and this will also spur more investment in domestic production.
I'm going to write something that may be somewhat controversial & maybe I will hear why I am wrong. Not everyone in the US is poor. Too many people act as if that is so! Many people have the attention span of a gnat, too. What about all the businesses that went out of business in 2008? What about the businesses that heroically tried to stay in business during Covid? What about those people who work 2&3 jobs, which my parents did in order to give me & my sibs an opportunity for a better life? BYW, we also worked after school & weekend & summer jobs. It paid off for us. Why are so many unwilling to acknowledge these truths? Donate time & talents to Food banks, little pantries, carry socks in your car & a snack so that when you see someone in need, you can help a little? The current administration is trying to get some things straight. Be a little, just a little patient. Sheesh!
The biggest cost to the American public is the cost of energy and running the government bring those costs down and there will be more money in the pockets for the citizens of this country Oh Mexico says there going to start cracking down on the cartels what caused that
I think the tariffs are the opening to a negotiation. Mexico recognized this immediately. Canada (Trudeau) did not.
I saw some clips of the clown show that was the process for selecting the next democratic chair. Talk about doubling down on a failed strategy…. They have learned nothing.
I don't care if prices rise somewhat. I can pick and choose what to buy or not buy. I want more secure borders. If increasing tariffs by US forcing Mexico and Canada's "leaders" to increase their border's security, so be it.
Here's some pragmatic advice to US consumers on how to navigate the tariff-driven marketplace:
https://popularrationalism.substack.com/p/rational-consumption-during-the-uscanada
Please consider the CCP's investments in Canada as you evaluate the logic behind tariffs on Canadian goods: https://elizabethnickson.substack.com/p/canadas-weakness-broke-the-world
Damn, just damn. And major media is silent and our governments are silent. Just how screwed are we??
The CCP is doing it here in the states with land purchases.
We are $36 Trillion in debt. We’re adding approximately $1 Trillion in new debt every 90 days. We’re are running trade deficits with countries whose products and service we really do not need. Countries by the way that have facilitated millions of illegal entries along with deadly narcotics. Yes, the markets will roil a bit. Dems and their media acolytes will bitch and moan, but they’ve done nothing to address the fact that we’re essentially bankrupt. Right now debt makes up about 97-104% of our GDP depending upon whose stats you look at. This means we have a zero productivity economy. Some estimates forecast debt as 200% of GDP by 2050. Do people understand what that means? We’ll have no economy. We need severe cuts. We need to balance trade. This can can no longer be kicked down the road.
Trump is doing nothing that will effectively address the debt. Remember, he has promised "not to touch SS and Medicare." Without restructuring these entitlements to reflect the current and future demographics, nothing else we do will amount to a drop in the bucket. Starting trade wars with our allies will do nothing to solve our debt problems. It only makes products more expensive for Americans to buy.
Respectfully, there are two ways to fight debt without continually refinancing debt - cuts and growth. Time and again Trump has said we are sitting on the largest, greatest form of wealth in the world. Removing crippling restrictions and regulations on energy exploration and development combined with cutting wasteful spending combined with cutting trade deficits is the best way out of the mess we find ourselves in.
Adjusted for inflation, energy prices today are on par with their historical prices. $.29 a gallon in 1955 is the equivalent of $3.00 plus today. With oil being a global market, USA gas prices will only go down if Trump's desired increases in domestic production increase global supply and thereby push down prices worldwide. USA producers really do not want to depress oil prices as doing so would reduce profits. So, while Trump's tariff and oil production plans may make sense to MAGA simpletons, they will not work in the real world.
Small subcontractors' empty job calendars speak to the truth of what you say, Joe. If you have cash and need a home repair or reno job done, now is the time to call. You'll likely discover that the best tradesmen, those who usually are booked up weeks in advance, have time on their hands and are looking for work.
Why? Because, as several have told me, few customers have any disposable income, and are putting off work as a result.
They will have even less disposable income once everything at Walmart goes up 20%.
I'm waiting to see how small business, namely the bar & restaurant where a family member works, is affected. People 's jobs matter.
Erick, no one is speaking of WHY Trump has placed tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. As detailed by Trump's press secretary Leavitt, it is to cause action from these countries to stop fentanyl being produced and then moved across our borders. Trump believes that pressuring these nations financially will force them into putting measures in place to actively stop those who make the fentanyl. Once these measures are in place, Trump will ease or reverse the tariffs. He believes in the long game economically, that our economy can withstand tariff pressures better than Mexico, Canada and China, and they will back down.
This isn't much different than what Reagan did with our military buildup against Russia.
Re Canada: https://elizabethnickson.substack.com/p/canadas-weakness-broke-the-world
Many countries charge Tariffs on goods from America
And American government rolls on right over the American people who will Pay the price just like always
So let's be clear up front about what this is. This is a Tax on the American people. If you are not smart enough to understand that, that's on you. Let's also be clear about the damage this will do. First off many small businesses are commodity based, which operate on razor thin margins. They have no choice but to apply the full amount of the tariff to it's products. If the tariffs remain for a long time, small businesses will close at record numbers (you will never hear about them on Fox News). Corporations have a responsibility to return a profit to it's share holders so they will pass on the majority if not all of the increase to the American consumer (like mine is getting ready to do). If they don't it will diminish their ability to hire, support pay increases, and invest in growth. This decision is so maniacally stupid on every level. All would agree that Mexico needs to be a part of the solution to address fentanyl, but taxing the American people is not how you go about it. Trump has proven time and again he doesn't truly care about the American people, but he does care about providing a tax break to the wealthy, this is one way to pay for it. I can't yet say I regret voting for him as I had no other option, hopefully he comes to his senses soon on this terrible decision.
Funny how some people here say they don't mind inflation as long as Trump causes it.
So $36 Trillion dollars in debt with ridiculous trade imbalances with Mexico, Canada, China and many others by the way, you think this is sustainable? Our debt is about 100% of our GDP which means we have a zero productive GDP. If these imbalances continue and we continue to spend, small businesses won’t matter because there won’t be any. Credit card debt is at an all-time high. The overwhelming majority of consumers are making minimum payments at best. And you’re concerned about a tax on the American people. Buy maple syrup made in Vermont. By avocados grown here in the U.S. and by the way if small businesses are “commodity based”, they might want to rethink their GTM and value prop.
But avocados & Maple syrup made in the US are frequently more $$. I always saw Maple syrup as a luxury until I learned that pancake syrup, for me, is just not as tasty.
Of course it isn't, but the $36 trillion you reference has been built up over years of mis-management by congress and the Presidents, not because of a trade imbalance. You don't fix the issue by entering into a trade war with two very important trading partners, and taxing the American people. And yes, CC debt is absolutely too high so lets tax people so they have less money to pay it down (great solution). And your right, who cares about small business owners, they mean nothing to the fabric of America and what has built our great nation. Real compassion for those who will be hurt if this continues.
You might want to re-read my posts and lose your anger.
Fully agree. ‘Coming to his senses’ is an increasingly oxymoronic aspiration for him..