Here’s the problem with the tariffs.

Basically Trump wants to use tariffs to force everyone to negotiate terms that would be favorable for the US. That’s the short summary of a very complicated plan.

However with negotiations of any kind, especially for results that would favor you, everyone else has to trust you in that favorable position. Trust is the most important aspect of any deals you can make.

Trump has torn up trade agreements that he himself signed, threatened to annex our closest allies, promoted an aggressor of war, etc. The list goes on and on. I don’t think there’s anyone left who still trusts the USA anymore. So any leverage he hopes to gain with this mess won’t mean anything in a room full of people who don’t trust you to not abuse the power over them you’re asking for.

It doesn’t matter how much of our remaining power we use to try forcing people into anything they don’t want. They’ll just take their business elsewhere after finding a way to stop relying on us.

Any ends gained through contemptible means aren’t worth anything and I wonder if anyone in the Trump administration understands that.

I hope I’m wrong and people will come to trust not Trump, but our country compromised of much more than just him. Trust America, but I won’t wonder why if no one does and this is the end of our power on the world stage.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

The problem is no one installed in any position of influence or power will speak the truth... either because they don't know it or because they are afraid to speak up. So, the ego-driven fantasy that "the USA doesn't need any other countries because everything will be made in the USA" has no basis in reality. The comedy skit punchline is that if that was true, then how will the USA make "all that money" from tariffs if nothing needs to be imported? Even the fantasy can't stand up on its own.

There is growing resistance and opposition to the dementia that is currently running the USA. That is encouraging, but a lot of damage to the global economy and the ideal of peace and prosperity for all will be damaged in the meantime. Look for Elon to try to pawn his bejeweled chainsaw to keep the lights on in his mansion housing his 14 children from 3 different women out of wedlock... as he licks his wounds.

Reject · 26-30, M

@MarkPaul It’s true that the US rose to power with it’s allies. That’s sort of the entire point of our history and origin story. It’s how we got where we did. We made friends. It’s so sad to see where we are now losing all of them.

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

@Reject There is a reason it was called "The Greatest Generation." They were invested in America's future in a way that brought everyone along. Now, with a petty and literally delusional (possibly demented) 79-year-old with the sensibilities of a small child who is focused only on retribution, it is easy to see the difference in outcomes.

Reject · 26-30, M

@MarkPaul I know it. It’s only 4 years, but so much can happen in that time and I’m just hoping that the damage he causes won’t lead to something like WWIII. This has happened too often in history. We don’t need everyone dying for a man like Trump.

MarkPaul · 26-30, M

@Reject I don't think a World War will erupt, but sadly everyone (including Cry-Baby-trump and his love interest, Elon) will be worse off.