Going Once, Going Twice

Truth social spoke. Trump raised the global tariff rate to 10% yesterday, via a post to Truth.

Today he changed his mind and another Truth informed the world that the global rate is now 15%.

Reminder that the objective of tariffs is to bring back manufacturing to the USA.

That did not happen. There's no indication Trump Truth will have an impact either.

Another Trump tamper tantrum because he did not get what he wants. We are the laughing stock of the world, and that, not tariffs is our Achilles Heel when it comes to negotiating with the world governments.

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ArishMell · 70-79, M

I have the impression President Trump thinks it's the countries exporting to the USA who pay his taxes.

That's certainly what comes across in his public pronouncements.

It wouldn't be so bad for the exporters and their American customers if he was consistent, and the taxes were discussed properly by the US Treasury and Congress first, so everyone knows where they stand and can prepare for them.

Instead he seems to pick countries and tax rates on a whim, first up then down, and announces them by his own "social medium"; rather than having them agreed and published by the nation's parliament.

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whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@ArishMell That is certainly the message he is trying to sell Americans, in spite of the rising prices. It is difficult to believe that Americans cant work it out. But in fairness, Trumps efforts have born some fruit. The number of people wishing to come into the US has plumetted. And migrants was a big thing with him..😷

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@whowasthatmaskedman Aren't those different matters though?

I wonder if Trump and his government have even reduced the numbers of genuine visitors to the USA, both tourists and people with a professional connection such as international science projects.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@ArishMell Tourism is way down. Business travel is down and the migrant queues at the borders are down..😷

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@whowasthatmaskedman I know the aim is to cut immigration, but I think the actions of the border officials, increasing bureaucracy including the requirement to reveal several years' worth of social-media use (is that even possible?), and one or two well-publicised cases have collectively frightened many tourists away.

It's likely also made a lot of professional travellers wary.

The havy-handed slashing of American science organisations, and of US links to international bodies, must have have broken many hitherto active international co-operations.

The drop in business travel is presumably also linked to the tariffs question.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@ArishMell I completely agree with all of that. But what alternative did Trump have but to cut science, when so much of it disagreed with everything he said and stood for.? He can replace politica foes with puppets. But its harder to find real scientists who will agree with you for money..😷

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@whowasthatmaskedman Yes, I can understand his motive, but in the end it won't really do him, or anyone else, any good.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

@ArishMell Agreed.. Its going to rain $h*t soon enough and Trump will call it free beer or blame Biden..😷

ArishMell · 70-79, M

@whowasthatmaskedman It certainly won't be his fault!