Liberation Day? Liberation from what? Tariffs have been coming down all over the world since the end of WWII. Rarely do they pose a significant impediment to US exporters.
What's the import tariff on a Ford truck sold in Germany? Now compare that to any VW sold in America. That's what I thought. Fundamentally unfair trade with Europe whose physical protection we subsidize.
As globalism falls apart, things will get messy. But this transformation is necessary to maintain American sovereignty. Let's hope there aren't too many causalities and cry-babies... looking at you, Yuval Hariri.
Yes Sam, the party of mental illness have been crying hysterically over America ending the insanity of the leftist, and there will be causalities, many I’m sure. April 2nd may be the day the globalist nations start paying their fair share and America can start taking care of its own. Hopefully we will abolish the EPA, which has been a front for the CCP and has done much more damage to America than any of other three letter scams. On April 5th, the party of mental illness will be throwing their first demented tantrum, first of many, and I pray that our leaders confront these most deranged individuals and react with equal force and violence. Fight insanity with reason and violence with more severe consequences…
NO No no, BB knows best (well, he use to) now he pumps out daily doses of bullshit. Suffers from TDS and would love to see AOC & Bernie Sanders (BS) take over the country.
I think they took over quite a while ago - it's been months (years?) since we have had Bill's missives from inside Argentina. I suspect that last time he was there was quite the blow-up and BB was basically given some type of ultimatum. Something along the lines of "Nice Vineyards ya got there. It'd be a shame if something happened to them because you exercised your Rights and expelled the squatters." But what the heck do I know - maybe Don Henley nailed it many years ago:
"As we taxied down the runway I could hear the people shout;
Yes brother Starboard, I’m pretty sure that most of the Originario’s have been shipped to the United States along with all the other criminals In South America. Seems like Bills biggest peeve is the fact we are shipping them back🤔 Either way I would think that Bill would be happy about cleaning up the mess the party of mental illness created, and maybe even make Baltimore Great Again? Maybe? Or maybe Bill was one of the reasons Baltimore became the third world shithole it is 🤔. Baltimore, Argentina, France and Ireland. It seems that everywhere Bill goes, trouble follows 🤔
I respect Bill Bonner for trying to evict the squatters but it seems to be a losing proposition, even with Milei in power. Property rights in Argentina seem to be a shifting target 🎯. I’m pretty sure he still has the property though. I remember that he got stuck down there during the Chyner virus lockdown and I wouldn’t blame him for being gun shy about returning. I believe his daughter is currently down there.
Food for thought, or poison for libtards? Just wondering, Bill. Implying Trump's fellow travelers are Mao and Stalin - absurd. I am somewhat skeptical of Trump's tariffs, but not entirely so, or at least not enough to pick and choose, like you do, Bill, what to write against them. In this dangerous world where China wants to rule the world, the USA needs to be self-sufficient in all the necessities to keep us independent and wealthy. We must be a manufacturing nation, first and foremost, as well as an agricultural nation, and a pharmaceutical nation, etc. We cannot rely on others. Of course, in a global economy where all countries respected individual rights, it wouldn't matter so much. We would all be wealthy and no one would be trying to subjugate everyone else. But that's not the world we live in. Nor do we live in the world consisting of Bonner's half-baked delusions.
Thank you brother John! America once was self sufficient and the greatest industrialization nation on the planet. A true inspiration for all nations and the only Super Power. The USSR couldn’t even come close nor was it ever a threat and China was just another impoverished third world shithole. The communist inside America did everything possible to change that and they succeeded. Now it’s time to end this madness and take America back. And spot on with the delusional and mentally deranged who support the tyranny, Wokeness and corruption we’ve all lived through since the Obamanation. “The times they are a-changin”:)
If I may give My nickels worth? Sorry I am any way . Steve L. , An enemy coming from the outside can be seen and all will rally. But when the the enemy is within, it is much harder to spot. That is what is happening to North America, not only N.A. , but world wide. Hard to stop something You do not see until much later in the battle. But the War can be won, one battle at a time .
It was both seen and conspired by those corrupt communist inspired politicians who created this. Allowed by FDR(50 of his 72 advisors were Bolshevik sympathizers) and continued with the “Democratic Party” and “RINOs” for the past 70years, coming to a head with the election of Barack Obama. Mostly hiding in the shadows of “antisemitism” racism and social justice, LGBQ…and DEI, those most vile of men created causes and enslaved an entire culture to get to their means and come to the conclusion we are now at. Those most vile are In the battle for their lives and will fight like never before. This insanity we witness with the university protests and the destruction of cars are only the beginning of a coming war. These most dangerous, mentally disturbed individuals will not go lightly. Very interesting days we live my friend 🤔
Yes Steve, agree . The common folk do not and did not see this . I have to put Myself in that category. Until now , much to late in My life cycle. Thanks for the heads up.
Obviously, the threat of tariffs has no bearing on anything, because Bill tells us so. My question is this. If Trump's tariffs are so terrible, why have so many foreign companies announced that they are suddenly going to spend millons and in some cases billions in new plants and factories in this country. I'm sure Bill can explain it all to us poor laymen, while telling us how bad Trump's policies are and that the Democratic policies are just so so bad.
This is going to unnerve Bill and he'll be back to beating the Trump doesn't want to do anything about cutting spending drum tomorrow.
Of course Bill is at a disadvantage when it comes to current events. The press in Ireland and France tend to leave out the details of DOGE's success, spending actually being cut and talk of eliminating entire government departments by Trump. That doesn't sell. Orange man bad is all the rage over there these days so when in Rome, lead with orange man bad just like the Romans do.
As I said on Friday, there is a difference between tariffs and trade policy that uses other methods to result in trade imbalance. You are only using some bureaucrats number to satisfy your view of the world. Perhaps you are heavily influenced by your 2 homes in Europe. Example: Europe has no tariffs or 1.4% as you pronounce. A X5 hybrid BMW built in the USA and sold in the USA for $75,000 sells for $115,000 in Switzerland. That is trade policy created by BMW. This goes on all over Europe where industrial trade policy replaces the need for tariffs, but they are tariffs and should b treated as tariffs. Bill you need to do your research before you spin off the official European trade baloney. How about Mexico. We have free trade with them. Mexico uses this to bring in Chinese goods and parts that would be tariffed in the US and assembles automobiles which they can then send across the border free of charge. Try to import an automobile built in the US into China or even Mexico. They may not call them tariffs, but Mexico can charge fees from $5,000 to $10,000 to import a vehicle (how is that free trade). This idea we should pretend there are no tariffs shows either a complete lack of understanding of the world trade or is intended to make a false argument that US tariffs are economic death.
Not only the Plaza Accord, but also the Smithsonian Agreement. These agreements give a whole new light on the subject matter. Some of You wiser readers could probably sum up these works in a few sentences , Where as I would take a day just to write the titles.
Thanks Don. I didn't know that one. I will look it up. The financial media is so uneducated and just repeats the same BS it is nice to know there are other people that do research to know the facts. Bill has been around alot longer than me and should know this stuff.
Austrian School economics wants stable money, honest interest rates, balanced budgets, and a smaller federal government. Keynesian School economics is used to rationalize and support government largess. Free trade is a ruse. There are many ways a government can subsidize its exports besides tariffs. There's no question why the Collective West's governments went all in with Keynesian economics. Unfortunately for us modern day Serfs, the proverbial chickens have come home to roost.
Within the confines of Babuzelfer hishma dovet capanoonwetz the internal maggot brush nickel behooves the airline filter dust. The goat milk curvature of Z Z daily backwards investment compounds collateral damage. The Markets of Ethen continues to grow alongside China’s freebee. Loans squelch Global chain reaction of Purdue, the student is no longer required to pay the damages on intellectual stupid. The swan smiles us disarray as The Son of Fred, The American Savior uses the power of Divine to heal and correct the Statue of Liberty. Open AI has submitted to GOP (Grand O’l Party) political restrictions and regulations for illusionary safety reasons and can no longer provide the true nature of its essence. Short Circuit the board and secondary upheaval atmospheric brain chips in the library of outer space will soar to universal interstellar distances, the whale will splash its way to rain clouds……it’s raining Tacos….outta the sky….Tacos…..beef putty gelatin garfish garbanzo beans incredibly dominant production with Golden Spur boots, don’t let the platform demonstration, engage in positive solutions Clubby.
Creating an even economic field using tariffs may not be the answer according to you but wouldn’t it be wonderful if all countries in the world had zero tariffs. The products sold by all countries would be available to everyone and the people would decide which ones to buy. What is your opinion on this theory? AP
To your observation:"...wonderful if all countries in the world had zero tariffs" My two cents: Of course!
For reasons that elude me, Trump believes making US importers and consumers pay more for imports will attract foreign manufacturers to move their factories to the US.
I can't understand his logic. In the US, costs and wages are high, if not the highest in the world; job seekers are at a low level and raw materials are certain to be more costly thanks in part to Trump's tariffs.
The result of Trumps tariffs: Whatever is made in America won't be inexpensive
Consumers worldwide rarely buy high. Trump was elected in part because of high prices. I don't understand why he wants to make prices ever higher
Funny how so many people (Substack Writers included) just can't see any way this tariff scheme could work. Oddly, it also seems that the vast majority of them suffer from TDS.
I have no idea if the milk and honey will start to flow or if everything will become so expensive that basic Life is out-of-reach. I DO know that Trump has been successful in many, many areas where the typical haters consistently crowed about how his ideas were "doomed to fail" from the very start. So yes, Abe, I do believe there is a plan and all this "sky is falling" rhetoric is coming from extremely Trump-biased and enviously-unhinged individuals. 02APR25 will come and go - let's see where we stand on 02SEP25 to begin making an assessment of the success or failure of Trump's economic plans in this area.
After all, if it works and prices stabilize/go down AND manufacturing starts to return onshore, I'm certain Bill Bonner and the rest of the bleaters will be falling all over themselves to tell the us how wrong they were - but just in case they don't change their stripes, I won't hold my breath.
PS - Bill's attempt at hanging a derogatory nickname on President Trump (Big Man) is rather flaccid because it's built on Hate. The reason Trump's nicknames work so well is because they have a grain of Truth in them and more importantly, also a heavy element of Humor that the average person can relate to with regard to the target. Bill's weak effort here drips of Jealousy and Insecurity, but keep going Bill - it's perversely entertaining to watch you seethe....
"I contend their decision to do so was not due to tariffs but to fear they could lose a big chunk of their best foreign market."
Ummmm, isn't that basically night following day? That is the power behind the threat and/or implementation of tariffs - and the basic fact that Mr. Bonner conveniently and consistently leaves out of his equation...
S.E. Yep that is his , MR. T's., desire. These things take time to come to fruition. Just hope that the electorate remembers that Rome was not built in one day. Mind You it only took 3 days to burn down most of it. Also remember that the decline in the USA and manufacturing did not happen over night, but took many a decade. It can be a slow walk up the hill again. Governments job, in My opinion, is to level the playing field so that private industry can do their thing and bring back work and workers to their respective industries . No special tax breaks and all the other "for the good" of the people things. This does not only apply to USA, but all of North America. But then I like a simple life. No government interference.
BMW 's decision to go to US was partly due to a willing and rather modest workforce (Alabama if I'm not mistaken) plus generous subsidies and convenient conditions for the setup of the plant.
Furthermore, the main (majority) shareholder is a family who tries to balance their huge wealth carefully and with longterm perspectives.
And actually BMW and VW just announce building plants in the USA. And Jim there are still a lot of Toyota's made in Japan and sold here in the USA. Just bought a RAV4 hybrid made over there. they might be made here soon.
One other observation, the tariffs are supposed to bring manufacturing back to the U.S; more tax advantages to companies that manufacture their products in this country. Over the years many companies have moved to other countries for better profits. We need to manufacture products here such as pharmaceuticals, building materials and many others also ramp up our energy companies, gas and oil. AP
I did not see where Bill mentioned the United States' balance of trade deficit was 1.13 trillion for 2024 nor did he mention we have the largest balance of trade deficit of any nation. When the United States was on the gold standard one measures of success for the President was keeping the US balance of trade positive. Somewhere along the way we lost our bearings. If the pandemic taught us anything it was that free trade and the offshoring of manufacturing from globalism has left the United States vulnerable. President Trump recognizes our vulnerability and he is implementing policies to change this. He has my vote.
I think what a lot of people miss is the fact that the USA currency is the reserve currency of 60 percent of world trade. This is a curse and a blessing . Curse is that it is expensive to import and export because of the price to other currencies. This is one thing that MR. T. is trying to rectify. Whether He succeeds is another matter. Read the Plaza Accord and The Smithsonian Agreement. This will help to understand the problems with being#1.
I’ve read most of Stockman’s books. Followed his missive for awhile and have listened to a few podcasts ( the last with Taggart thoughtful money). He can’t get out of his own way when it comes to Trump. He is quite correct about his 1st term and debt creation. Could any President have achieved much success when he was engaged in a circular firing squad. Mr stockman is to bias to truly evaluate President Trump’s second term.
Yes considering Stockman was , is a Republican. The old actors day at the helm did not end all that well as the deficit grew. Hope this is not a copy .
Or maybe it's the typical BPR fare of half-truth, muted hysteria and straw men. Amazing that Bill STILL hasn't figured out that this crowd is MUCH smarter and better informed than the typical dimocrat sheep he is comfortable laughing at...
Hmm? You are a tariiff guru but you've never held a position to impose or cancel them or negotiate them. Seems investors the world over are committing to do biz here based on tariffs threats. Some $3 trillion in a few weeks with more coming weekly. What's unfair about reciprocal tariiffs? Seems logic 101ish to me. You are losing it BB.
The worst post ever Bill. Average tariff.? WTH? The average temperature in united states is fifty five point five degrees. Tell that to the guy who lives in Anchorage, AK International Falls, MN Brownsville TX.
The reason that terrifies variety is SO high is because none of our products are sold there because of the high Tarrifs. I'm pretty sure our average tariffs on textiles, flip flops, napkins and butt pluggs to India and the EU are zero.. How about automobile precision machined items, computer chips, computers, computer software.. pretty much anything of high technology. There are zero ad well. Because we are not allowed to sell them there! Oh my Goodness our average tariff is zero on those items! There is no.
Terrible. Because we don't sell those products because of
their tariff walls.
I'm waiting for the stock recommendation based on the average of every price of every stock... I'm starting to think that's what i'm getting ...
To invoke the woke societies favourite attack word "Hater"; if you look around you and you see one or two haters, they may be haters. If you look around you and all you see are haters, it could be you
What's the import tariff on a Ford truck sold in Germany? Now compare that to any VW sold in America. That's what I thought. Fundamentally unfair trade with Europe whose physical protection we subsidize.
As globalism falls apart, things will get messy. But this transformation is necessary to maintain American sovereignty. Let's hope there aren't too many causalities and cry-babies... looking at you, Yuval Hariri.
Yes Sam, the party of mental illness have been crying hysterically over America ending the insanity of the leftist, and there will be causalities, many I’m sure. April 2nd may be the day the globalist nations start paying their fair share and America can start taking care of its own. Hopefully we will abolish the EPA, which has been a front for the CCP and has done much more damage to America than any of other three letter scams. On April 5th, the party of mental illness will be throwing their first demented tantrum, first of many, and I pray that our leaders confront these most deranged individuals and react with equal force and violence. Fight insanity with reason and violence with more severe consequences…
We certainly live in interesting times. We did our part by voting this group in. Let's see if they can deliver. Best start ever.
I believe in 65 days, they already are!
Thanks Sam, had a similar missive weeks ago but obviously we commenters are the only to read the comments
Ok give me an answer to your question. What are import tariffs for these vehicles in both countries so we can appreciate your point.
NO No no, BB knows best (well, he use to) now he pumps out daily doses of bullshit. Suffers from TDS and would love to see AOC & Bernie Sanders (BS) take over the country.
Bill, you're just mad it's going to cost more to get your Malbec into the US.
He probably won’t have any Malbec to sell, after the Originario’s get control of his ranch?
I think they took over quite a while ago - it's been months (years?) since we have had Bill's missives from inside Argentina. I suspect that last time he was there was quite the blow-up and BB was basically given some type of ultimatum. Something along the lines of "Nice Vineyards ya got there. It'd be a shame if something happened to them because you exercised your Rights and expelled the squatters." But what the heck do I know - maybe Don Henley nailed it many years ago:
"As we taxied down the runway I could hear the people shout;
They said "Don't come back here Yankee",
But if I ever do,
I'll bring more money
'Cause all she wants to do is dance"...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eud5AurOxm0
Yes brother Starboard, I’m pretty sure that most of the Originario’s have been shipped to the United States along with all the other criminals In South America. Seems like Bills biggest peeve is the fact we are shipping them back🤔 Either way I would think that Bill would be happy about cleaning up the mess the party of mental illness created, and maybe even make Baltimore Great Again? Maybe? Or maybe Bill was one of the reasons Baltimore became the third world shithole it is 🤔. Baltimore, Argentina, France and Ireland. It seems that everywhere Bill goes, trouble follows 🤔
🤣
He sent his daughter and son in law there. Mariah posts on Substack as well.
Henley had another one that somewhat applies to Bill's experience in Argentina:
"They call it paradise
I don't know why
You call someplace paradise
Kiss it goodbye"
He probably can't get jet fuel now due to climate change.
I respect Bill Bonner for trying to evict the squatters but it seems to be a losing proposition, even with Milei in power. Property rights in Argentina seem to be a shifting target 🎯. I’m pretty sure he still has the property though. I remember that he got stuck down there during the Chyner virus lockdown and I wouldn’t blame him for being gun shy about returning. I believe his daughter is currently down there.
But all he really cares about is the average of tariffs. He'd make a perfect Carney.
I believe he uses the so-called averages because it makes it look like they’re less of a problem. But the difference amounts to BILLIONS!!!
yes, but in the end it is still delusional bullshit, thanks BB - I always like to pay for uninterrupted does of bullshit.
And I was reading this morning that the trade imbalance is closer to 1.4 TRILLION!
You are so right
Ah, but up to now, Bill only sells to readers in the USA.
So maybe, I, and other foreigners like me, will be able to get some, or even, as it is a small vintage, all.
There's lots of unintended consequences, with tariffs and other regulations.
Enjoy. It won't be missed in this county. There are scads of suitable alternatives.
Food for thought, or poison for libtards? Just wondering, Bill. Implying Trump's fellow travelers are Mao and Stalin - absurd. I am somewhat skeptical of Trump's tariffs, but not entirely so, or at least not enough to pick and choose, like you do, Bill, what to write against them. In this dangerous world where China wants to rule the world, the USA needs to be self-sufficient in all the necessities to keep us independent and wealthy. We must be a manufacturing nation, first and foremost, as well as an agricultural nation, and a pharmaceutical nation, etc. We cannot rely on others. Of course, in a global economy where all countries respected individual rights, it wouldn't matter so much. We would all be wealthy and no one would be trying to subjugate everyone else. But that's not the world we live in. Nor do we live in the world consisting of Bonner's half-baked delusions.
Thank you brother John! America once was self sufficient and the greatest industrialization nation on the planet. A true inspiration for all nations and the only Super Power. The USSR couldn’t even come close nor was it ever a threat and China was just another impoverished third world shithole. The communist inside America did everything possible to change that and they succeeded. Now it’s time to end this madness and take America back. And spot on with the delusional and mentally deranged who support the tyranny, Wokeness and corruption we’ve all lived through since the Obamanation. “The times they are a-changin”:)
If I may give My nickels worth? Sorry I am any way . Steve L. , An enemy coming from the outside can be seen and all will rally. But when the the enemy is within, it is much harder to spot. That is what is happening to North America, not only N.A. , but world wide. Hard to stop something You do not see until much later in the battle. But the War can be won, one battle at a time .
It was both seen and conspired by those corrupt communist inspired politicians who created this. Allowed by FDR(50 of his 72 advisors were Bolshevik sympathizers) and continued with the “Democratic Party” and “RINOs” for the past 70years, coming to a head with the election of Barack Obama. Mostly hiding in the shadows of “antisemitism” racism and social justice, LGBQ…and DEI, those most vile of men created causes and enslaved an entire culture to get to their means and come to the conclusion we are now at. Those most vile are In the battle for their lives and will fight like never before. This insanity we witness with the university protests and the destruction of cars are only the beginning of a coming war. These most dangerous, mentally disturbed individuals will not go lightly. Very interesting days we live my friend 🤔
Yes Steve, agree . The common folk do not and did not see this . I have to put Myself in that category. Until now , much to late in My life cycle. Thanks for the heads up.
Obviously, the threat of tariffs has no bearing on anything, because Bill tells us so. My question is this. If Trump's tariffs are so terrible, why have so many foreign companies announced that they are suddenly going to spend millons and in some cases billions in new plants and factories in this country. I'm sure Bill can explain it all to us poor laymen, while telling us how bad Trump's policies are and that the Democratic policies are just so so bad.
This is going to unnerve Bill and he'll be back to beating the Trump doesn't want to do anything about cutting spending drum tomorrow.
Of course Bill is at a disadvantage when it comes to current events. The press in Ireland and France tend to leave out the details of DOGE's success, spending actually being cut and talk of eliminating entire government departments by Trump. That doesn't sell. Orange man bad is all the rage over there these days so when in Rome, lead with orange man bad just like the Romans do.
Bill's recent bylines allege he is in Baltimore.
Just sayin'...
Maybe he is. Thus the Negative Nancy outlook. Cheers!
As I said on Friday, there is a difference between tariffs and trade policy that uses other methods to result in trade imbalance. You are only using some bureaucrats number to satisfy your view of the world. Perhaps you are heavily influenced by your 2 homes in Europe. Example: Europe has no tariffs or 1.4% as you pronounce. A X5 hybrid BMW built in the USA and sold in the USA for $75,000 sells for $115,000 in Switzerland. That is trade policy created by BMW. This goes on all over Europe where industrial trade policy replaces the need for tariffs, but they are tariffs and should b treated as tariffs. Bill you need to do your research before you spin off the official European trade baloney. How about Mexico. We have free trade with them. Mexico uses this to bring in Chinese goods and parts that would be tariffed in the US and assembles automobiles which they can then send across the border free of charge. Try to import an automobile built in the US into China or even Mexico. They may not call them tariffs, but Mexico can charge fees from $5,000 to $10,000 to import a vehicle (how is that free trade). This idea we should pretend there are no tariffs shows either a complete lack of understanding of the world trade or is intended to make a false argument that US tariffs are economic death.
Bill, here is some advice go research the Plaza Accords of 1985 to get an idea of what is going on. You should be paying me.
Not only the Plaza Accord, but also the Smithsonian Agreement. These agreements give a whole new light on the subject matter. Some of You wiser readers could probably sum up these works in a few sentences , Where as I would take a day just to write the titles.
Thanks Don. I didn't know that one. I will look it up. The financial media is so uneducated and just repeats the same BS it is nice to know there are other people that do research to know the facts. Bill has been around alot longer than me and should know this stuff.
Austrian School economics wants stable money, honest interest rates, balanced budgets, and a smaller federal government. Keynesian School economics is used to rationalize and support government largess. Free trade is a ruse. There are many ways a government can subsidize its exports besides tariffs. There's no question why the Collective West's governments went all in with Keynesian economics. Unfortunately for us modern day Serfs, the proverbial chickens have come home to roost.
Within the confines of Babuzelfer hishma dovet capanoonwetz the internal maggot brush nickel behooves the airline filter dust. The goat milk curvature of Z Z daily backwards investment compounds collateral damage. The Markets of Ethen continues to grow alongside China’s freebee. Loans squelch Global chain reaction of Purdue, the student is no longer required to pay the damages on intellectual stupid. The swan smiles us disarray as The Son of Fred, The American Savior uses the power of Divine to heal and correct the Statue of Liberty. Open AI has submitted to GOP (Grand O’l Party) political restrictions and regulations for illusionary safety reasons and can no longer provide the true nature of its essence. Short Circuit the board and secondary upheaval atmospheric brain chips in the library of outer space will soar to universal interstellar distances, the whale will splash its way to rain clouds……it’s raining Tacos….outta the sky….Tacos…..beef putty gelatin garfish garbanzo beans incredibly dominant production with Golden Spur boots, don’t let the platform demonstration, engage in positive solutions Clubby.
Live from Mission Baja Tacos in sunny San Diego, where the beer is cold, the sand is warm, and global chaos is someone else’s problem.
In this moment, nothing matters except fish tacos, the sun, and the sacred art of chilling.
Maybe that’s the secret to Buddha’s legendary belly, he just stopped giving a fuuuuuudge and ordered another round!
😂
Sign me up!
Now that I understood
🤣 I was LOL by the time I hit the second sentence. Keep it up, Egypt!
I do like a good taco.
Egypt, You are a strange one. Creative but strange.
Bill:
Creating an even economic field using tariffs may not be the answer according to you but wouldn’t it be wonderful if all countries in the world had zero tariffs. The products sold by all countries would be available to everyone and the people would decide which ones to buy. What is your opinion on this theory? AP
To your observation:"...wonderful if all countries in the world had zero tariffs" My two cents: Of course!
For reasons that elude me, Trump believes making US importers and consumers pay more for imports will attract foreign manufacturers to move their factories to the US.
I can't understand his logic. In the US, costs and wages are high, if not the highest in the world; job seekers are at a low level and raw materials are certain to be more costly thanks in part to Trump's tariffs.
The result of Trumps tariffs: Whatever is made in America won't be inexpensive
Consumers worldwide rarely buy high. Trump was elected in part because of high prices. I don't understand why he wants to make prices ever higher
Funny how so many people (Substack Writers included) just can't see any way this tariff scheme could work. Oddly, it also seems that the vast majority of them suffer from TDS.
I have no idea if the milk and honey will start to flow or if everything will become so expensive that basic Life is out-of-reach. I DO know that Trump has been successful in many, many areas where the typical haters consistently crowed about how his ideas were "doomed to fail" from the very start. So yes, Abe, I do believe there is a plan and all this "sky is falling" rhetoric is coming from extremely Trump-biased and enviously-unhinged individuals. 02APR25 will come and go - let's see where we stand on 02SEP25 to begin making an assessment of the success or failure of Trump's economic plans in this area.
After all, if it works and prices stabilize/go down AND manufacturing starts to return onshore, I'm certain Bill Bonner and the rest of the bleaters will be falling all over themselves to tell the us how wrong they were - but just in case they don't change their stripes, I won't hold my breath.
PS - Bill's attempt at hanging a derogatory nickname on President Trump (Big Man) is rather flaccid because it's built on Hate. The reason Trump's nicknames work so well is because they have a grain of Truth in them and more importantly, also a heavy element of Humor that the average person can relate to with regard to the target. Bill's weak effort here drips of Jealousy and Insecurity, but keep going Bill - it's perversely entertaining to watch you seethe....
I suspect some firms will relocate here, especially if the US is their best market.
Most Japanese and one German (BMW) car manufacturers also make their cars in the US.
I contend their decision to do so was not due to tariffs but to fear they could lose a big chunk of their best foreign market.
Rolls Royce (jet engines) announced last week it would make engines (that it sells to the USG) in the US.
However, I suspect no Japanese or German car made-in-America is exported. Ditto for RR Jet Engines
"I contend their decision to do so was not due to tariffs but to fear they could lose a big chunk of their best foreign market."
Ummmm, isn't that basically night following day? That is the power behind the threat and/or implementation of tariffs - and the basic fact that Mr. Bonner conveniently and consistently leaves out of his equation...
S.E. Yep that is his , MR. T's., desire. These things take time to come to fruition. Just hope that the electorate remembers that Rome was not built in one day. Mind You it only took 3 days to burn down most of it. Also remember that the decline in the USA and manufacturing did not happen over night, but took many a decade. It can be a slow walk up the hill again. Governments job, in My opinion, is to level the playing field so that private industry can do their thing and bring back work and workers to their respective industries . No special tax breaks and all the other "for the good" of the people things. This does not only apply to USA, but all of North America. But then I like a simple life. No government interference.
If that's Trump's objective, then he should explain how john Q Public will benefit with lower cost products being made in our high cost country
BMW 's decision to go to US was partly due to a willing and rather modest workforce (Alabama if I'm not mistaken) plus generous subsidies and convenient conditions for the setup of the plant.
Furthermore, the main (majority) shareholder is a family who tries to balance their huge wealth carefully and with longterm perspectives.
And actually BMW and VW just announce building plants in the USA. And Jim there are still a lot of Toyota's made in Japan and sold here in the USA. Just bought a RAV4 hybrid made over there. they might be made here soon.
T: I hope your optimist is rewarded.
One other observation, the tariffs are supposed to bring manufacturing back to the U.S; more tax advantages to companies that manufacture their products in this country. Over the years many companies have moved to other countries for better profits. We need to manufacture products here such as pharmaceuticals, building materials and many others also ramp up our energy companies, gas and oil. AP
There has to be some rationale to this madness
So it's no madness after all?!?
I did not see where Bill mentioned the United States' balance of trade deficit was 1.13 trillion for 2024 nor did he mention we have the largest balance of trade deficit of any nation. When the United States was on the gold standard one measures of success for the President was keeping the US balance of trade positive. Somewhere along the way we lost our bearings. If the pandemic taught us anything it was that free trade and the offshoring of manufacturing from globalism has left the United States vulnerable. President Trump recognizes our vulnerability and he is implementing policies to change this. He has my vote.
I think what a lot of people miss is the fact that the USA currency is the reserve currency of 60 percent of world trade. This is a curse and a blessing . Curse is that it is expensive to import and export because of the price to other currencies. This is one thing that MR. T. is trying to rectify. Whether He succeeds is another matter. Read the Plaza Accord and The Smithsonian Agreement. This will help to understand the problems with being#1.
I’ve read most of Stockman’s books. Followed his missive for awhile and have listened to a few podcasts ( the last with Taggart thoughtful money). He can’t get out of his own way when it comes to Trump. He is quite correct about his 1st term and debt creation. Could any President have achieved much success when he was engaged in a circular firing squad. Mr stockman is to bias to truly evaluate President Trump’s second term.
PM: It’s always bias if anyone criticizes Mr. Trump.
Yes considering Stockman was , is a Republican. The old actors day at the helm did not end all that well as the deficit grew. Hope this is not a copy .
"our exporters pay an average of about 1.85%" hmmm....isn't it the importers who pay the tariff?
But I guess our exporters are penalized by the importer's tariffs, so maybe it's just semantics.
Or maybe it's the typical BPR fare of half-truth, muted hysteria and straw men. Amazing that Bill STILL hasn't figured out that this crowd is MUCH smarter and better informed than the typical dimocrat sheep he is comfortable laughing at...
This looks interesting, someone talking sense?
https://elizabethnickson.substack.com/p/kill-the-admin-state-salt-the-earth/comments#comment-98932139
Love her!
Hmm? You are a tariiff guru but you've never held a position to impose or cancel them or negotiate them. Seems investors the world over are committing to do biz here based on tariffs threats. Some $3 trillion in a few weeks with more coming weekly. What's unfair about reciprocal tariiffs? Seems logic 101ish to me. You are losing it BB.
The worst post ever Bill. Average tariff.? WTH? The average temperature in united states is fifty five point five degrees. Tell that to the guy who lives in Anchorage, AK International Falls, MN Brownsville TX.
The reason that terrifies variety is SO high is because none of our products are sold there because of the high Tarrifs. I'm pretty sure our average tariffs on textiles, flip flops, napkins and butt pluggs to India and the EU are zero.. How about automobile precision machined items, computer chips, computers, computer software.. pretty much anything of high technology. There are zero ad well. Because we are not allowed to sell them there! Oh my Goodness our average tariff is zero on those items! There is no.
Terrible. Because we don't sell those products because of
their tariff walls.
I'm waiting for the stock recommendation based on the average of every price of every stock... I'm starting to think that's what i'm getting ...
To invoke the woke societies favourite attack word "Hater"; if you look around you and you see one or two haters, they may be haters. If you look around you and all you see are haters, it could be you
That made it worthwhile wading thru all this crap SE! Ha ha ha.