Now we’re going in the other direction...squeezing off trade as if we were kinking a garden hose. And for reasons that often have little to do with trade itself.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we just stop pretending this is a trade policy and admit it’s a revenge tour? Trump’s out here tariffing everything that moves like a pissed-off bouncer at the United Nations. “Oh, you blinked at China? That’s 10%. Brazil, you breathing too loud? Boom 50%. ICC didn’t kiss the ring? Hit ‘em with the economic elbow drop!” He’s like the world’s worst ex, jealous, vindictive, and somehow still thinks he’s the victim. The only thing he’s negotiating is a group rate on global grudges.
And let’s not forget, this is the same guy who thinks tariffs are like magic beans. “Yeah, you plant ‘em in Mexico and somehow Boeing grows three new factories in Indiana.” Meanwhile, inflation’s out here high-fiving your rent, your grocery bill’s got PTSD, and half the country’s wondering if ramen noodles now qualify as a 401(k) investment. But don’t worry! Trump just signed a landmark deal with Indonesia, $15 billion in exports, 50 Boeing jets, and in return, we get… a 19% import tax and the privilege of pretending this is a win. It’s like selling your house, your car, and your left kidney so you can buy back a slightly used jet ski… and it still has payments on it.
And for the grand finale, threatening countries that don’t worship the almighty dollar with a 100% tariff? What is this, international extortion or a pyramid scheme run by a guy who can’t spell “G7”? “You will love the dollar… or else.” That’s not foreign policy, that’s what a drunk guy yells before getting kicked out of the craps table at Caesar’s Palace. So Give it up, folks! The man’s turned diplomacy into an episode of Maury Povich, “You ARE the tariff father!”
Outrageous! Maury's wife was a chinese woman. ....
CBS says that Trump threatens. I say that he motivates. Every other administration in recent history quite literally bent over asking for little respect, getting none.
Ask for how to win friends and influence people.I have great respect. I still send cards and engage and respect nearly everything.
Follow-up text," I'm OK, You're OK." Has morphed into.
An anti american trope. "I'm Okay you're An Asshole." It's past time to turn the page. If only those in Egypt had it figured out earlier, ir even Carthage who were burned by the Romans. Subsequently, Rome was burned by the Mongols. Each one of these states had become fat and weak, politically corrupt. Venice too. Would you like to speak about King George and his colonies? Somebody needs to get their head in the sand and take charge lest we follow their path .
Hey man, what the hell was that? I read your message three times and still don’t know if you’re talking about tariffs, the Mongol Empire, or the plot to National Treasure 3: Ben Franklin’s Revenge. You start off with “Maury’s wife was Chinese” like that’s a geopolitical argument. What does that even mean?! You sound like a drunk uncle who fell asleep on a pile of encyclopedias and woke up thinking he’s Secretary of State. “Carthage burned! Rome burned! Venice! King George!” Dude, are you okay? You didn’t write a political take, you summoned a prophecy in Mad Lib form. I’ve seen bathroom walls make more sense.
And that whole “I still send cards and engage and respect nearly everything”… what are you even saying? Is this foreign policy or a Hallmark ad for guys who believe NATO is a conspiracy? You talk about leadership like it’s a scene from 300, but you sound like you lost a fistfight to a Sudoku puzzle. You’re not turning the page, you’re tearing out chapters and trying to smoke ‘em.
Listen man, if America’s going down, it won’t be because of Chinese Maury or King George’s revenge, it’ll be because people like you tried to lead with a brain full of expired beef jerky. Go lie down, drink some water, and stop writing manifestos on gas station receipts. ALL THE BEST. 🤩
Exactly, but I know how it works. But, you are not taking into consideration the INTENT of the tariff. As Americans we prefer NO TARIFF's. But most foreign countries impose a tariff on our products into their countriess. Which, in turn, makes our products more expensive for the consumers in that foreign country. And, consequently, we lose Sales and the ability to export more American made products.
So, in the current world according to Jimm, Americans lose BOTH WAYS!
How fair is that?
How about we drop ALL TARIFFs both ways and let the products compete on their own?
But, foreign countries will NOT do that.
So, if they have a 25% tariff on us, then we will have a 25% tariff on them.
Yea, but what you have done is given some idiot in Washington your freedom. We can’t compete because all the laws on the books, environmental, minimum wage, licensing, can’t fart without being bonded. But it’s ok we need to be more fair! So let’s restrict our freedom more. Pull your head out of your ass and wake up, Washington, nor your state and local government are your pal! You are just handing them the keys.
It makes sense Don, but it doesn't match our current reality. 100% tariffs proposed for those who buy Russian oil? Higher tariff's for Brazil over their domestic court case? I fully support you position on no tariffs (BOTH WAYS), but that's not what I'm seeing.
50%, 19%, 100$, 30%, 15%, 500%, what do we have a wheel of misfortune from the Trump oval office? Too bad we keep landing on the bankrupt spot on the wheel. How the hell does he come up these these numbers? And sooner than later the rest of the world isn't going to pay any attention to his % tariff threats because he changes numbers from day to day... that uncertainty is causing disfunction and distrust. My friend in the Netherlands works for a high tech chip company that designs and manufactures the equipment that makes the various microchips in countries around the world. His take on the Trump tariff merry-go-round is the uncertainty is killing the decision and investment world and taking investment money out of the market. God save us all.
I think I have read this column 5 days a week for what seems like months. I get it - Bill thinks that Trump and his entourage are morons. How about some actionable investment advice?
This may get me lit up....but in the WORLD of fiat currencies and you're the least of the bad, I'm guessing we will be just fine. I just have this feeling that some thoughts that seem right are actually wrong under the current financial environment. If I'm wrong, obviously my words are right here to be mocked. I'm a Trump supporter but I do not suffer from T.F.S.....Trump Fan Syndrome. TFS can be just as bad as TDS....however, Trump just doesn't lose in the long run. I believe it was 2.7 expected and 2.9 came in for inflation. All we got from Bill, was BOLD letters saying inflation up!!! My words will be here in 6 months, let's just see.
We as people of this North American continent will see what has been accomplished on or about January 20th ,2026 . That will be about 1 year into MR. T.'s term. Now I say North America because I live on this continent, well thus far, and what happens in the USA has an effect on North America. Believe it or not. Are His policies thought out far enough into the future? That is one trick that all politicians have to learn. The negative and the positive!
Just a curious question: When was the last time you bought something tangible which was NOT made in China (you know the place - where slave labor rules the roost)? You want cheap? You can get cheap. And maybe whatever it is will last a week or two or even three. Then it's throw-away time because it's a piece of crap from China. All I can say is, "Pick Your Poison".
Exactly, before it was Japan , now it is China. Good home "grown" products are available, but requires an effort by the consumer. Maybe not all , but most products can be found in Your Country.
Recently every time I experience a failed product the piece of crap is made in the U.S.. Look at Embraer’s safety record compared to Boeing. These foreign countries are starting to take quality products,including China,while the U.S.quality goes down the drain.
Sad to hear. I haven't yet experienced that type of failure of US pride and quality. Hard for me to find something that's Made in the USA. Most of the USA created or produced seem to be found at the nearest drive-thru.
"......50 Boeing jets, while paying a 19% tariff on exports to the US."
Why can't 'Times Now' work out that US consumers pay the tariffs, if they buy Indonesian products? Sheesh! It's a 19% sales tax on Americans. Why isn't that obvious?
Oh, right. It's like the Epstein file on the AG's desk. Now she sees it, now you don't.
WOW. I’m reading your comments (using tariffs as blackmail) and it is difficult to disagree with you. However, I’m not an economist and neither is Trump BUT in the last 50 years most economists have had their head deeply embedded in their rear end. Nothing has been done to improve the U.S. economy. Some ups and downs but mostly downs with excessive spending. Many countries in the world have been charging tariffs against America; the result it does not create ‘even’ trading. What is the answer? No one really knows, I believe that Trump is talking so erratically (screaming so much poop) in hope that something sticks to the wall to help create more of an even field. Our country is heading toward self destruction and I am hopeful that everything will improve in the near future. Time will tell!!
Don - if the tax you refer to is the tariffs our president is imposing, then those pesky foreigners don’t pay it; we do
More precisely: the US importer pays the tariff which is ultimately paid by us average citizens (in the form of higher prices the importer adds to the products imported)
In this case, the net effect is the same: If the importer pays the tax ( in this case, the tax is called a "tariff"), the consumer still has a choice, buy or not buy. If he buys,and he often does, the access to the US market is still there, and additional revenue accrues to the treasury. And for me, that's where the problem lies. Instead of reducing government, we play games, and the lunacy continues. Best always. PM
And, despite the additional revenue the importer remits to the treasury, the Trump administration still spends money it doesn’t have and John Q Citizen pays more for what cost less pre-tariffs.
Mr. Trump is FORCED to do that, because the overhead of government in this "country" is cumulatively now at 40%. If we fail to address that, it doesn't matter who is president, or what he does with the money, or what John Q. Citizen has to pay. Soon, it will be 50% and then more, and then death comes to the USA. Some might argue that's already upon us. I call it "Death by Government." Best always. PM
Our current president is a man with many attributes, more than a few unsavory and inexplicable.
But he’s also a man of genuine mystery.
Here’s one: he’s made clear he’s imposing tariffs to transform low cost goods imported into the US into high cost goods made in the US
The mystery occurs when, with 500,000 US factory jobs currently needing workers, who will produce the additional items his tariffs compel to be made in the US?
The most likely candidates, the “undocumented” are being exported; many probably to the very countries losing jobs because they are being exported to the US.
Another mystery is exactly when his MAGA believers realize they are paying his tariffs and that — despite chaotically reducing Federal services — he’s harming their future by increasing the national debt while making more and more of their daily staples evermore costly.
so i guess for you it is screw the american worker and let all the cheap slave labor crap into the usa so that billionaires like bill can get the cheap stuff for me i don't mind paying a few cents more for the made in the usa. it sounds like you voted for the kackler so that the borders remain open for the "cheap" labor
Let’s hope the Trump (Whack A Mole) Tariff Campaign generates long term positive effects, it is possible. Trump should not use his private social media “Truth Social” to distribute National news, there must be one or two networks that will carry his news for us. It’s Unprofessional, and the President should care a little about being Presidential.
As as a foreigner I’d like to say; you guys don’t need an enemy at the gates. Look at the comments above you are tearing each other to pieces. Yes Trump acts like an idiot but presumably isn’t. If you are reading financial pieces you are at least one step up from the proletariat and you also know the problem isn’t Trump. The problem is your country’s debt. Stop being distracted.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we just stop pretending this is a trade policy and admit it’s a revenge tour? Trump’s out here tariffing everything that moves like a pissed-off bouncer at the United Nations. “Oh, you blinked at China? That’s 10%. Brazil, you breathing too loud? Boom 50%. ICC didn’t kiss the ring? Hit ‘em with the economic elbow drop!” He’s like the world’s worst ex, jealous, vindictive, and somehow still thinks he’s the victim. The only thing he’s negotiating is a group rate on global grudges.
And let’s not forget, this is the same guy who thinks tariffs are like magic beans. “Yeah, you plant ‘em in Mexico and somehow Boeing grows three new factories in Indiana.” Meanwhile, inflation’s out here high-fiving your rent, your grocery bill’s got PTSD, and half the country’s wondering if ramen noodles now qualify as a 401(k) investment. But don’t worry! Trump just signed a landmark deal with Indonesia, $15 billion in exports, 50 Boeing jets, and in return, we get… a 19% import tax and the privilege of pretending this is a win. It’s like selling your house, your car, and your left kidney so you can buy back a slightly used jet ski… and it still has payments on it.
And for the grand finale, threatening countries that don’t worship the almighty dollar with a 100% tariff? What is this, international extortion or a pyramid scheme run by a guy who can’t spell “G7”? “You will love the dollar… or else.” That’s not foreign policy, that’s what a drunk guy yells before getting kicked out of the craps table at Caesar’s Palace. So Give it up, folks! The man’s turned diplomacy into an episode of Maury Povich, “You ARE the tariff father!”
Outrageous! Maury's wife was a chinese woman. ....
CBS says that Trump threatens. I say that he motivates. Every other administration in recent history quite literally bent over asking for little respect, getting none.
Ask for how to win friends and influence people.I have great respect. I still send cards and engage and respect nearly everything.
Follow-up text," I'm OK, You're OK." Has morphed into.
An anti american trope. "I'm Okay you're An Asshole." It's past time to turn the page. If only those in Egypt had it figured out earlier, ir even Carthage who were burned by the Romans. Subsequently, Rome was burned by the Mongols. Each one of these states had become fat and weak, politically corrupt. Venice too. Would you like to speak about King George and his colonies? Somebody needs to get their head in the sand and take charge lest we follow their path .
ALL THE BEST.
Hey man, what the hell was that? I read your message three times and still don’t know if you’re talking about tariffs, the Mongol Empire, or the plot to National Treasure 3: Ben Franklin’s Revenge. You start off with “Maury’s wife was Chinese” like that’s a geopolitical argument. What does that even mean?! You sound like a drunk uncle who fell asleep on a pile of encyclopedias and woke up thinking he’s Secretary of State. “Carthage burned! Rome burned! Venice! King George!” Dude, are you okay? You didn’t write a political take, you summoned a prophecy in Mad Lib form. I’ve seen bathroom walls make more sense.
And that whole “I still send cards and engage and respect nearly everything”… what are you even saying? Is this foreign policy or a Hallmark ad for guys who believe NATO is a conspiracy? You talk about leadership like it’s a scene from 300, but you sound like you lost a fistfight to a Sudoku puzzle. You’re not turning the page, you’re tearing out chapters and trying to smoke ‘em.
Listen man, if America’s going down, it won’t be because of Chinese Maury or King George’s revenge, it’ll be because people like you tried to lead with a brain full of expired beef jerky. Go lie down, drink some water, and stop writing manifestos on gas station receipts. ALL THE BEST. 🤩
Exactly, but I know how it works. But, you are not taking into consideration the INTENT of the tariff. As Americans we prefer NO TARIFF's. But most foreign countries impose a tariff on our products into their countriess. Which, in turn, makes our products more expensive for the consumers in that foreign country. And, consequently, we lose Sales and the ability to export more American made products.
So, in the current world according to Jimm, Americans lose BOTH WAYS!
How fair is that?
How about we drop ALL TARIFFs both ways and let the products compete on their own?
But, foreign countries will NOT do that.
So, if they have a 25% tariff on us, then we will have a 25% tariff on them.
That's only fair. Would you agree?
Yea, but what you have done is given some idiot in Washington your freedom. We can’t compete because all the laws on the books, environmental, minimum wage, licensing, can’t fart without being bonded. But it’s ok we need to be more fair! So let’s restrict our freedom more. Pull your head out of your ass and wake up, Washington, nor your state and local government are your pal! You are just handing them the keys.
And the tarrif money on both sides... goes direct to both Governments!
What's not to like? Governments are well funded by the people and they can afford plenty of boondoggles for the people hahaha.
As my late Dad would say, made round to go round lol. (that was before digital)
It makes sense Don, but it doesn't match our current reality. 100% tariffs proposed for those who buy Russian oil? Higher tariff's for Brazil over their domestic court case? I fully support you position on no tariffs (BOTH WAYS), but that's not what I'm seeing.
Like travel visa's. Its all tit for tat and the one who has the least generally ups the ante.
Quit using so much common sense Donald, you’ll confuse the old codger!
50%, 19%, 100$, 30%, 15%, 500%, what do we have a wheel of misfortune from the Trump oval office? Too bad we keep landing on the bankrupt spot on the wheel. How the hell does he come up these these numbers? And sooner than later the rest of the world isn't going to pay any attention to his % tariff threats because he changes numbers from day to day... that uncertainty is causing disfunction and distrust. My friend in the Netherlands works for a high tech chip company that designs and manufactures the equipment that makes the various microchips in countries around the world. His take on the Trump tariff merry-go-round is the uncertainty is killing the decision and investment world and taking investment money out of the market. God save us all.
I think you were likely in the Biden admin and part of the insanity, Bill. Can you tell the difference between a man and a woman?
I think I have read this column 5 days a week for what seems like months. I get it - Bill thinks that Trump and his entourage are morons. How about some actionable investment advice?
This may get me lit up....but in the WORLD of fiat currencies and you're the least of the bad, I'm guessing we will be just fine. I just have this feeling that some thoughts that seem right are actually wrong under the current financial environment. If I'm wrong, obviously my words are right here to be mocked. I'm a Trump supporter but I do not suffer from T.F.S.....Trump Fan Syndrome. TFS can be just as bad as TDS....however, Trump just doesn't lose in the long run. I believe it was 2.7 expected and 2.9 came in for inflation. All we got from Bill, was BOLD letters saying inflation up!!! My words will be here in 6 months, let's just see.
We as people of this North American continent will see what has been accomplished on or about January 20th ,2026 . That will be about 1 year into MR. T.'s term. Now I say North America because I live on this continent, well thus far, and what happens in the USA has an effect on North America. Believe it or not. Are His policies thought out far enough into the future? That is one trick that all politicians have to learn. The negative and the positive!
Very fair! People in this comment section have a lot of excellent views and different takes, that I appreciate.
Just a curious question: When was the last time you bought something tangible which was NOT made in China (you know the place - where slave labor rules the roost)? You want cheap? You can get cheap. And maybe whatever it is will last a week or two or even three. Then it's throw-away time because it's a piece of crap from China. All I can say is, "Pick Your Poison".
Exactly, before it was Japan , now it is China. Good home "grown" products are available, but requires an effort by the consumer. Maybe not all , but most products can be found in Your Country.
Recently every time I experience a failed product the piece of crap is made in the U.S.. Look at Embraer’s safety record compared to Boeing. These foreign countries are starting to take quality products,including China,while the U.S.quality goes down the drain.
Some US made products sold as made in the USA have parts made in China. Sometimes all of it!
Sad to hear. I haven't yet experienced that type of failure of US pride and quality. Hard for me to find something that's Made in the USA. Most of the USA created or produced seem to be found at the nearest drive-thru.
"......50 Boeing jets, while paying a 19% tariff on exports to the US."
Why can't 'Times Now' work out that US consumers pay the tariffs, if they buy Indonesian products? Sheesh! It's a 19% sales tax on Americans. Why isn't that obvious?
Oh, right. It's like the Epstein file on the AG's desk. Now she sees it, now you don't.
WOW. I’m reading your comments (using tariffs as blackmail) and it is difficult to disagree with you. However, I’m not an economist and neither is Trump BUT in the last 50 years most economists have had their head deeply embedded in their rear end. Nothing has been done to improve the U.S. economy. Some ups and downs but mostly downs with excessive spending. Many countries in the world have been charging tariffs against America; the result it does not create ‘even’ trading. What is the answer? No one really knows, I believe that Trump is talking so erratically (screaming so much poop) in hope that something sticks to the wall to help create more of an even field. Our country is heading toward self destruction and I am hopeful that everything will improve in the near future. Time will tell!!
Pay attention Abe. We've had lots of improvements in our economy:
The green new deal was great for those selling expensive "green" energy.
The vax mandates were great for pharma.
The Trump tariff's were great for gov't income.
The endless weapons sales were great for the MIC.
See? Lot's of improvements! Just not for you and I.
Looks like the delays and special considerations for some foreign countries jacked up inflation stats.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, billions in tariff taxes are pouring into the treasury.
Dear Foreign Country,
You want to do business in the U.S., then pay a tax.
Or, better than that, let’s make it zero tariffs for both of us!
Can you do that or do you still require that America support the lazy bastards in your country? Who constantly bite at our heals with stupid stuff!
Have a great day!
Don - if the tax you refer to is the tariffs our president is imposing, then those pesky foreigners don’t pay it; we do
More precisely: the US importer pays the tariff which is ultimately paid by us average citizens (in the form of higher prices the importer adds to the products imported)
In this case, the net effect is the same: If the importer pays the tax ( in this case, the tax is called a "tariff"), the consumer still has a choice, buy or not buy. If he buys,and he often does, the access to the US market is still there, and additional revenue accrues to the treasury. And for me, that's where the problem lies. Instead of reducing government, we play games, and the lunacy continues. Best always. PM
And, despite the additional revenue the importer remits to the treasury, the Trump administration still spends money it doesn’t have and John Q Citizen pays more for what cost less pre-tariffs.
Mr. Trump is FORCED to do that, because the overhead of government in this "country" is cumulatively now at 40%. If we fail to address that, it doesn't matter who is president, or what he does with the money, or what John Q. Citizen has to pay. Soon, it will be 50% and then more, and then death comes to the USA. Some might argue that's already upon us. I call it "Death by Government." Best always. PM
Our current president is a man with many attributes, more than a few unsavory and inexplicable.
But he’s also a man of genuine mystery.
Here’s one: he’s made clear he’s imposing tariffs to transform low cost goods imported into the US into high cost goods made in the US
The mystery occurs when, with 500,000 US factory jobs currently needing workers, who will produce the additional items his tariffs compel to be made in the US?
The most likely candidates, the “undocumented” are being exported; many probably to the very countries losing jobs because they are being exported to the US.
Another mystery is exactly when his MAGA believers realize they are paying his tariffs and that — despite chaotically reducing Federal services — he’s harming their future by increasing the national debt while making more and more of their daily staples evermore costly.
so i guess for you it is screw the american worker and let all the cheap slave labor crap into the usa so that billionaires like bill can get the cheap stuff for me i don't mind paying a few cents more for the made in the usa. it sounds like you voted for the kackler so that the borders remain open for the "cheap" labor
Let’s hope the Trump (Whack A Mole) Tariff Campaign generates long term positive effects, it is possible. Trump should not use his private social media “Truth Social” to distribute National news, there must be one or two networks that will carry his news for us. It’s Unprofessional, and the President should care a little about being Presidential.
I voted for Trump, but I’d much rather see Vance in charge at this point.
Trump would never go after the bankers who launder all that drug money.
But too be fair no President would ever go there!
As as a foreigner I’d like to say; you guys don’t need an enemy at the gates. Look at the comments above you are tearing each other to pieces. Yes Trump acts like an idiot but presumably isn’t. If you are reading financial pieces you are at least one step up from the proletariat and you also know the problem isn’t Trump. The problem is your country’s debt. Stop being distracted.