U.S. Politics

[Lone Star]

Why will the US win the trade war? Like it or not, the US is one of the few countries that is nearly self sufficient. The countries who have unfair trade policies know that and will have no choice other than to agree to fair trade. When the US was super rich, they gave many sweetheart trade deals. Those days are over with and it is difficult for those countries with sweetheart trade deals to give them up.

That's it in a nutshell.

What Trump is doing with tariffs is to balance the trade. The so-called trade allies are crying because Trump isn't letting them screw us over anymore.

Why is the market falling, why has the Fed had to lower interest rates....sound like Trumps tariffs (taxes on US customers and companies) are hurting, not helping. Tariffs have never been the way to solve trade issues, it's a race to the bottom. A great business mind(Trump), in his own mind, should know this.

The stock market is not the driver of the economy.

The tariffs are not affecting consumers. You and others keep beating those pots and pans, but it's not happening. Consumer confidence and spending are UP. THOSE are some of the main drivers. The stock market reacts to daily events and how they see the future based on many different variables.

You need to read up on the Fed interest rate moves. Watch the video with Peter Navarro. The Fed raised rates in panic moves before there was any inflation. There has been little to none. So the Fed lowered rates. At the same time, there have been increases in real wages on Main Street.

Tariffs are not a winning move if they are levied against a trading partner who is exercising free and fair trade. Trump is only balancing the trade deterrents that have been in place AGAINST the US for years. The US was LOSING the trade war for all this time. Trump is doing what he does: FIGHT BACK. The trade deficits incurred by the US have been part of news for as long as I can remember. They aren't new. I don't understand why people can't see that.

You know, hot wars aren't good either. but when someone fires at you day after day, year after year -- and in some cases decade after decade -- it gets to a point where you need to defend yourself and fire back. That's what's going on here.

As glalt so ably pointed out: When the US was super rich, they gave many sweetheart trade deals. Those days are over with and it is difficult for those countries with sweetheart trade deals to give them up.

[Doodoo]

TARIFF "
Governments impose tariffs to raise revenue, protect domestic industries, or exert political leverage over another country.
Tariffs often result in unwanted side effects, such as higher consumer prices.
Tariffs have a long and contentious history, and the debate over whether they represent good or bad policy rages on to this day

Just sayn so unless people can provide data where it says Tariffs do not increase consumer prices , other than the Wonder Boy saying it 8 times in 18 minutes of tape, prices go UP

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/tariff.asp

[newtovillagelife]

Why will the US win the trade war? Like it or not, the US is one of the few countries that is nearly self sufficient. The countries who have unfair trade policies know that and will have no choice other than to agree to fair trade. When the US was super rich, they gave many sweetheart trade deals. Those days are over with and it is difficult for those countries with sweetheart trade deals to give them up.

That's it in a nutshell.

What Trump is doing with tariffs is to balance the trade. The so-called trade allies are crying because Trump isn't letting them screw us over anymore.

Why is the market falling, why has the Fed had to lower interest rates....sound like Trumps tariffs (taxes on US customers and companies) are hurting, not helping. Tariffs have never been the way to solve trade issues, it's a race to the bottom. A great business mind(Trump), in his own mind, should know this.

The stock market is not the driver of the economy.

The tariffs are not affecting consumers. You and others keep beating those pots and pans, but it's not happening. Consumer confidence and spending are UP. THOSE are some of the main drivers. The stock market reacts to daily events and how they see the future based on many different variables.

You need to read up on the Fed interest rate moves. Watch the video with Peter Navarro. The Fed raised rates in panic moves before there was any inflation. There has been little to none. So the Fed lowered rates. At the same time, there have been increases in real wages on Main Street.

Tariffs are not a winning move if they are levied against a trading partner who is exercising free and fair trade. Trump is only balancing the trade deterrents that have been in place AGAINST the US for years. The US was LOSING the trade war for all this time. Trump is doing what he does: FIGHT BACK. The trade deficits incurred by the US have been part of news for as long as I can remember. They aren't new. I don't understand why people can't see that.

You know, hot wars aren't good either. but when someone fires at you day after day, year after year -- and in some cases decade after decade -- it gets to a point where you need to defend yourself and fire back. That's what's going on here.

As glalt so ably pointed out: When the US was super rich, they gave many sweetheart trade deals. Those days are over with and it is difficult for those countries with sweetheart trade deals to give them up.

If the stock market is not the driver of the economy, why does Trump use it as a measure of his success. Watch him, walk back his rhetoric if the fall continues.

[Lone Star]

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For the Troll who thinks that Trump's tariffs are being passed on to US consumers.

Cheerleaders for Failure receiving more bad news with another monthly report on trade and inflation.

First, it's necessary to recount all of the failed predictions. Kinda reminds me of all the phony mmcc alarmism predictions that have failed.

NBC News:

“Trump’s trade war may soon hit consumers’ wallets and paychecks.”

Wharton Business School - University of Pennsylvania:

“Tariffs will surely lead to higher prices for imported goods and, to a lesser extent, prices for non-imported goods that use imported materials.”

CNBC:

“Tariffs are about to hit consumers, and it won’t be pretty.”

Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies:

“Trade restrictions, by their nature, result in price increases for the goods in question. If the price of steel and aluminum goes up, manufacturers will be forced to pass those costs onto American consumers.”

So what is consistent with Cheerleaders for Failure, LIBs, Believers and Democrats when their predictions fail? They double down and move their predictions further into the future. Prices have not risen as predicted. Consumers have not been hammered at the checkout counters. Many have simply argued that the prices will increase over time. It's been over a damn year since the tariffs have been in effect. With each passing month, the Cheerleaders for Failure have finally begun to get more and more quiet.

In summary, after more than a year of tariffs, consumer prices have been only barely affected. Period.

June's consumer price index rose 0.1%. Kind reminds me of the mmcc alarmism over temperature increases. Year over year, consumer prices have only risen 1.6%, which is well below the Fed's warning benchmark of 2% annual inflation; and the economy is still chugging along and still creating jobs. Included in the Fed's analysis is something called the personal consumption expenditure index. This index is about 0.5% BELOW the consumer price index.

The facts TRUMP the alarmism of the so-called experts. Pun intended.

From the very beginning -- over a year ago -- Wilbur Ross was emphatic in stating that the dire predictions would be wrong. He's still correct today.

Some of the Cry Babies wail and gnash their teeth over auto sales. Car and truck prices are up only 0.6% on average from a year ago.

Another Cry Baby claimed that technology and appliances that are mainly manufactured abroad, would be the killer for consumers. Prices of televisions, computer and many major appliances have gone DOWN. In June, television prices dropped another 2.4% marking 11 straight months of declining prices. Year over year, televisions are 20% less expensive. Computers and related technology -- including phones -- are down 5.9% year over year. Phones alone are down 14%.

Washing machine prices went up initially, but are now down 4% year over year.

China imports have only had a 2.9% effect on prices, but the items have to be purchased by consumers for them to be affected. Prices on toys from China have dropped over 7%. Sports equipment is also less. Clothing prices are down.

None of these numbers indicate that prices will remain low forever, but after a year of tariffs, consumers are not feeling pinched by any increase in prices. It is entirely possible that the tariffs are being absorbed by foreign producers and middle men. Discounting products in price or foreign currencies declining against the dollar can cause this.

STEADY WINNING.

[Lone Star]

If the stock market is not the driver of the economy, why does Trump use it as a measure of his success. Watch him, walk back his rhetoric if the fall continues.

I think because so many people -- like you -- think it is the driver of the economy. But it's not.

I'm guessing it's something else positive happening in his administration, but you'd have to ask him why he says it. I'm sure he knows it is NOT the market driver (and I don't think Trump ever said it was). Trump just touts the market.

[Lone Star]

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For the Troll who thinks that Trump's tariffs are being passed on to US consumers.

.

US Department of Commerce Report Shows Tariffs are Working for the US and Allies

Trade data in May 2019 showed an annual decline in trade and a decline in the trade gap between the US and China. In the first five months of the current year, imports have fallen over $24 billion -- a 12% decline. Importing LESS from China hurts China's exports and prevents tariffs from being imposed on consumers.

Overall US exports worldwide are down only $500 million year-over-year, so someone is picking up the slack in the BILLIONS once purchased by China.

China is feeling it more than the US. The US still imports billions of goods worldwide to equal over $1 trillion year-to-date, but US imports have shifted AWAY from China. Taiwan has been one of the beneficiaries -- imports up 22%. Taiwan also increased US imports by 14%. The group consisting of India, Thailand and Vietnam have seen a rise in imports into the US by $12 billion.

As has been reported since the tariffs began over a year ago, supply chains are being adjusted. US consumers and retailers are less dependent on goods from China.

The experts are still wrong.

STEADY WINNING.

[newtovillagelife]

Lone Star you are without doubt, hands down, the Number ONE, TROLL on this site, period.

Step outside of your internet bubble once in a while, and look at the amount of lengthy daily entries you make. It's quite sad actually, for someone that brags about how many friends they have.

Why don't you hang out and chat with them, or are you just as overbearing.

[Lone Star]

Lone Star you are without doubt, hands down, the Number ONE, TROLL on this site, period.

Step outside of your internet bubble once in a while, and look at the amount of lengthy daily entries you make. It's quite sad actually, for someone that brags about how many friends they have.


Don't they want to hang out with you, or are you just as overbearing with them.

Brags about the number of friends???? You're hysterical.


Apparently, you've never heard of mobile phones and 4G -- or even multi-tasking.

So that's your response to the facts that I've provided. Making it about me instead of addressing the issue. That's what trolls do, village guy.

I thought we were having a civil discussion about the topic. I guess I was wrong to think that.

[Lone Star]

[Lone Star]

[newtovillagelife]

Lone Star you are without doubt, hands down, the Number ONE, TROLL on this site, period.

Step outside of your internet bubble once in a while, and look at the amount of lengthy daily entries you make. It's quite sad actually, for someone that brags about how many friends they have.


Don't they want to hang out with you, or are you just as overbearing with them.

Brags about the number of friends???? You're hysterical.


Apparently, you've never heard of mobile phones and 4G -- or even multi-tasking.

So that's your response to the facts that I've provided. Making it about me instead of addressing the issue. That's what trolls do, village guy.

I thought we were having a civil discussion about the topic. I guess I was wrong to think that.

Did you not initially call me a "Troll". Your facts, to quote the POTUS, are "fake news".

[Lone Star]

I did not call you a troll.

You assumed incorrectly. You know who the troll is in these threads.

[Lone Star]

[Lone Star]

. . . Your facts, to quote the POTUS, are "fake news".

If the data I provided with sources is wrong, it should be easy for you take each one and refute it with what you believe to be correct -- and with a source.

You've gotta be able to provide evidence of what you're claiming. Otherwise, you're no different than a _______.

[Lone Star]

.

Here's a quick economics cause & effect lesson before I go have my usual Friday 2pm beers with my many friends -- real and imagined -- on Soi Sampan. However, you should be warned. I have a mobile phone, 4G and have the ability to multitask. So I might return here to put in my 2 cents.

The following lesson is mainly for Trolltroll (so others don't think it's about them).

If tariffs were having an adverse affect on US consumers, they would stop purchasing, and their confidence in the economy would also go down. When consumers stop purchasing, companies lose profits. When companies lose profits, their earnings reports are not good, and the stock market reflects those downturns in profits. Consumers are a huge market driver.

In addition, those higher prices on products and services contribute in a big way to INFLATION, which means the Fed would then RAISE interest rates instead of doing what they just did. The Fed LOWERED interest rates.

It isn't what the Trolltroll claims. Trolltroll tells lies.

[Doodoo]

Tariffs have to be discussed individually. That is if the item having a tariff applied to such as aluminum the consumer will not be worried about the price of cucumbers. and visa versa
Applying a tariff to aluminum worried such producers as Coke which did raise their price and also GM on their vehicles.
So one cannot say tarrifs do not raise prices just because the inflationary rate does not go up as inflation is based on numerous items

Both Coca-Cola and GM said Wednesday they will have to raise prices on their iconic products in large part because of President Trump’s trade war.

The rising price of European aluminum and steel is expected to pinch their bottom lines — and the unexpected increases will be passed on to the consumer, the companies said.

“Clearly it’s disruptive for us,” Coca-Cola Chief Executive James Quincey told analysts while reporting the company’s second-quarter results, speaking about the cost increases. “It’s disruptive for our customers.”

Later, in an interview with CNBC, Quincey noted that the off-cycle price hike was “pretty unusual” for the brand.

“The tariffs on the metals, it’s one of many factors [that] cost us to go out in the middle of the year and announce price increase,” he said.

So when Don applies Tariffs guess what the other countries and you never hear these words out of Trumpet or his written or spoken friends, THEY put tariffs on US products such as
CANADA
After the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports worldwide, Canada retaliated with their own tariffs, which went into effect on July 1. The tariffs affect $12.8 billion worth of American goods, including foodstuffs such as coffee, whiskey, candy, orange juice, yogurt, and condiments.

And guess who pays, drum roll please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Doodoo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKAECoP_Me8

More coal miners I will put them back to work, 2,000 of them and give them false hope

I will (not) treat all Americans the same

I will continue to make business decisions just like I did for my own TRUMP Empire by using their money and fail.

[Lone Star]

. . .
So one cannot say tarrifs do not raise prices just because the inflationary rate does not go up as inflation is based on numerous items
. . .

No one said prices wouldn't go up.

If consumers aren't buying the imported products, they're not paying for the tariff. In the case of China, they're devaluing their currency and eating the tariffs themselves.

If Americans are buying products that ARE affected by the tariffs -- like Coke and GM -- Americans must be okay with it and can afford it. The same is true of people who buy Harleys in Thailand. They must be okay with 100% import tax and can afford it. Harley dealerships now number 8 in Thailand. Six years ago, there was only one in BKK. When Harley shops start drying up and no one buys them, that's a sign. Kinda like when you incessantly talk about new cars NOT being purchased. As long as people are buying, everything is cool. American consumers are buying.

US consumers have not been affected. Measured consumer sentiment is high. Wages are higher. Overall, there is little to no inflation. The Fed cut interest rates.

. . .
CANADA
After the U.S. imposed steep tariffs on steel and aluminum imports worldwide, Canada retaliated with their own tariffs, which went into effect on July 1. The tariffs affect $12.8 billion worth of American goods, including foodstuffs such as coffee, whiskey, candy, orange juice, yogurt, and condiments.

And guess who pays, drum roll please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In this case, Canadians who buy imported US products will pay.

Americans and other countries will consume what American businesses produce that is not imported by Canadians.

To summarize, when the tariff causes consumers NOT to buy, that's when things get sticky and affect the economy. That's not happening. Wages are growing faster than inflation and consumers are finding other sources of goods and services besides imported goods.

It's apparent that you and others just absolutely HATE that the US economy has not been devastated by this.

As I've said before, wishing for the US economy to fail is wishing for horrible economic effects on your own country. You can't have it both ways. You can't bitch and moan about the US having effects on everything and then hope for US failure as if it's not going to touch you.

[Lone Star]

The speech you've all been anticipating.

Trump in Cincinnati, Ohio.

[thaiguzzi]

"He defeated Hillary Clinton which has slowed the ultimate takeover of the U.S. government by the Post Modernist/Neo-Marxist totalitarian socialists."

Jesus wept.
You Americans are not only weird but totally paranoid.

Careful of those Commies Eugene....
Don't drink the water, they've put fluoride in it....