Politics & Stuff

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

31 minutes ago, Fernando said:

I don't think we are heading like that. 

Market is just barely down from all time high. 

We have had massive insane gains for the past few years. Its good to pull back a bit here and there. 

But in term of percentage in the 30's it went down like 90%. 

That amount of move today would take us to financial crisis low (which was 666.79) we are right now at in the SPX 5,589. 

666.

The number of the Beast. The antichrist arrives. ''When the Jews return to Zion / and a comet rips the sky / and the Holy Roman Empire rises / Then you and I must die / from the eternal sea he rises / Creating armies on either shore / Turning man against his brother / Til man exists no more.''

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

Tariffs, and World trade war will lead to recession, and real war. (but dont worry, the billionaires have their huge underground Armageddon shelters.)

Trump thinks he playing a massive global episode of The Apprentice. 

[Fernando 6,585]

2 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Tariffs, and World trade war will lead to recession, and real war. (but dont worry, the billionaires have their huge underground Armageddon shelters.)

Trump thinks he playing a massive global episode of The Apprentice. 

That is my fear a recession with all this shenanigans that Trump is doing. 

I think the immigration was a necessary thing to bring some balance. 

But tariffs I just don't get it. 

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

8 hours ago, Fernando said:

That is my fear a recession with all this shenanigans that Trump is doing. 

I think the immigration was a necessary thing to bring some balance. 

But tariffs I just don't get it. 

There is method in the strategy though. 

After the blanket tariff - the US will go to each individual country - Japan, EU, Korea, China, UK, etc. There will be separate negotiations with each country over eg Japanese dollar holdings, Whisky etc. 

So from that perspective the US has a plan, divide and rule, whereas the rest of the World does not. The strongest retort from other countries would be unity, solidarity in terms of respective tariffs. Doubtful that will happen though. 

[Fernando 6,585]

4 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

There is method in the strategy though. 

After the blanket tariff - the US will go to each individual country - Japan, EU, Korea, China, UK, etc. There will be separate negotiations with each country over eg Japanese dollar holdings, Whisky etc. 

So from that perspective the US has a plan, divide and rule, whereas the rest of the World does not. The strongest retort from other countries would be unity, solidarity in terms of respective tariffs. Doubtful that will happen though. 

If that is the goal then I guess it makes sense. 

I was watching an interview with Ontario Premier Dough Ford that he said he was willing to drop all tariff if USA drops tariff. 

The interesting thing that the host was telling him that Canada had tariffs first and now because of this act of Trump, he will win because he will eliminate all tariffs completely that Canada impose on USA. 

I wasn't aware that other countries had tariff on us before Trump came in with all his tariff things.....

Edited April 2 by Fernando

[Vesper 30,103]

‘Liberation day’: what are tariffs and why do they matter?

Donald Trump’s threats to impose widescale import levies have spooked governments, investors and analysts alike. Here’s why …

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/apr/02/liberation-day-what-is-a-tariff-and-why-they-matter-donald-trump

 

Donald Trump has said “tariffs” is the most beautiful word in the dictionary.

The US president is expected to announce his latest round of these border taxes on Wednesday at 4pm ET (9pm BST). In what he is calling “liberation day”, Trump has argued the step is needed to raise money and to encourage domestic manufacturing. But it is also rattling the global economy.

 

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What is a tariff?

Tariffs are border taxes charged on the import of goods from foreign countries. Importers pay them upon entry to the customs agency of the country or bloc that levies them.

The taxes are typically charged as a percentage of a product’s value. For example, a tariff of 10% on a £100 product would carry a £10 charge at the point it is brought into the country.

As well as finished goods, tariffs are levied on components and raw materials, pushing up the costs to manufacturers significantly; particularly in a world of complex supply chains where borders are crossed many times. According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, parts such as engines, transmissions, and other car components can cross the US-Canada and US-Mexico borders up to seven or eight times.

Serving as a barrier to trade, tariffs raise the price of an imported product for businesses and consumers. The US bank JP Morgan has estimated that tariffs of 25% would raise new car prices by $4,000 (£3,092).

They provide an incentive to buy a domestic tariff-free equivalent, where possible. Countries can also use non-tariff barriers to trade; including import quotas, licences and permits, regulations, safety standards and border checks.

The introduction of tariffs by one country can often collapse into a cycle of retaliation, or even a full-blown trade war. They are often used alongside other policy tools as a means of negotiation between nations, influencing far more than just economic outcomes.

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What is Trump’s strategy?

The US is the largest goods importer in the world – buying products worth $3tn in 2023. It also has the largest trade in goods deficit – when imports exceed exports – worth $1tn.

Trump has long complained the deficit reflects “unfair” practices from US trading partners, and sees it as a sign of weakness in the US economy after decades of factory production shifting overseas. He has used them as a negotiation tool to extract concessions from US trading partners.

The president is also considering the potential revenue tariffs could raise for the federal budget, which would be important to offset the impact of his tax-cutting proposals. However, both cannot be true. To reliably raise revenue, a tariff would need to be permanent, rather than used as a bargaining chip.

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What could the impact be?

Additional costs from tariffs are typically borne by the end consumer, meaning Trump’s plans are likely to push up US living costs. The big fear is that throwing grit in the wheels of trade will knock global economic growth and stoke inflation.

Even before the introduction of new US tariffs, the threat of them has rattled global financial markets and dented business and consumer confidence. This has a chilling impact on household spending and business investment.

Borrowing costs have risen sharply for governments around the world. For nations with already high levels of debt after the succession of shocks since the 2008 financial crisis, this has added to the pressure to balance the books, and prompted political challenges.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) warned last month that in a scenario in which tariff rates are permanently raised by the US and all of its trading partners by an additional 10 percentage points, global output could fall by about 0.3% by the third year after their introduction. Global inflation could rise by 0.4 percentage points per annum on average over the first three years, the OECD said.

---

Is this a new tactic?

Trade barriers, taxes and tariffs have been a feature of the world economy for centuries, including as a catalyst for wars and revolutions, such as the Boston tea party and the second world war. The barriers have been steadily dismantled over recent decades, amid the rise of globalisation. Trump – who also imposed tariffs in his first term as president – is not the first US president to shock the UK on trade.

Most economists agree trade liberalisation has helped to lift more than a billion people out of poverty worldwide, while supporting living standards in rich countries. But there are also tensions; from the hollowing out of manufacturing, to environmental and social challenges associated with complex, resource intensive, and sometimes exploitative global supply chains.

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Which countries could be hit hardest?

The US would take a “significant hit”, with a 0.7% fall in output. The US’s largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, would also be deeply affected.

Washington has a particular grievance with what the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, has called the “Dirty 15” countries, which make up about three-quarters of the US trade deficit.

The US’s largest trade in goods deficit with a single country is with China, worth $295bn in 2024. This was followed by the EU, at $235bn.

Trump also wants the tariffs to be “fair and reciprocal” to correct what he sees as longstanding imbalances in international trade arising from non-tariff barriers and taxes used by other countries. This includes value-added taxes (VAT), used in European nations in particular.

The president sees VAT as problematic because it is paid by customers of US-manufactured goods, while Washington does not have a similar federal tax levied on imports from overseas. However, many experts counter that VAT is paid on locally made goods as well as imports.

 

[Fulham Broadway 17,306]

8 hours ago, Fernando said:

If that is the goal then I guess it makes sense. 

I was watching an interview with Ontario Premier Dough Ford that he said he was willing to drop all tariff if USA drops tariff. 

The interesting thing that the host was telling him that Canada had tariffs first and now because of this act of Trump, he will win because he will eliminate all tariffs completely that Canada impose on USA. 

I wasn't aware that other countries had tariff on us before Trump came in with all his tariff things.....

Yes I wasnt aware of some of the tariffs imposed on the US, its not all a figment of Trumps imagination. 

It will most likely fail though as capitalism will mean US companies will just charge more, so US consumers will suffer - but not the billionaires 😜

[Vesper 30,103]

Mike Pence on the Trump tax

 

[Vesper 30,103]

wooooosh

 

[Fernando 6,585]

13 hours ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Yes I wasnt aware of some of the tariffs imposed on the US, its not all a figment of Trumps imagination. 

It will most likely fail though as capitalism will mean US companies will just charge more, so US consumers will suffer - but not the billionaires 😜

Yes that is why I generally don't agree with these tariffs. 

And the market know it as well hence why the big reversal today. 

Like I said before the fear is a recession where many people will suffer....on the plus side it should kill the housing market as nothing was bringing that down, but historically a recession kills the housing market. 

[Vesper 30,103]

 

[Vesper 30,103]

satire

https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/democratic-candidates-beg-musk-to

WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)—A mad scramble erupted on Wednesday as hundreds of Democratic candidates across the nation begged Elon Musk to visit their states.

Democrats who previously thought their electoral prospects were dim pleaded with the South African businessman for a miracle that only his noxious presence can deliver.

Additionally, they implored Musk to don stereotypical regional headwear during his visit in the hopes of striking the most off-putting note possible.

“No one guarantees a Democratic victory like Elon Musk,” one party strategist said. “He fell apart in Wisconsin like a human Cybertruck.”

[Vesper 30,103]

Thanks to Wisconsin, the Republicans Are Shitting Themselves

[Vesper 30,103]

Trump's tariffs list is missing one big country: Russia

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/02/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine-ceasefire

Trump and Putin in 2018. Photo: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty

 

 

President Trump unveiled tariffs of at least 10% Wednesday on virtually the entire world, with one notable exception: Russia.

The intrigue: Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Axios Wednesday that Russia was left off because U.S. sanctions already "preclude any meaningful trade." However, the U.S. still trades more with Russia than with countries like Mauritius or Brunei that did make Trump's tariffs list.

• Even remote island territories like Tokelau (pop. 1,500) in the South Pacific and Svalbard (pop. 2,500) in the Arctic Circle — territories of New Zealand and Norway, respectively —were listed for tariffs.
• However, Leavitt noted that Cuba, Belarus and North Korea were also not included because existing tariffs and sanctions on them are already so high.

Breaking it down: The value of U.S.-Russia trade plummeted from around $35 billion in 2021 to $3.5 billion as of last year due to sanctions imposed over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

• Russia has asked Trump to lift some of those sanctions as part of the U.S.-mediated ceasefire talks, which have largely stalled.
• Trump threatened Russia with secondary tariffs on oil earlier this week. He also said he was "pissed off" at Russian leader Vladimir Putin over his recent comments about Ukraine.
• Leavitt noted that Russia could still face "additional strong sanctions."

Worth noting: The other two major economies excluded from Trump's otherwise exhaustive list were Canada and Mexico. Leavitt confirmed that was because Trump already imposed 25% tariffs on both.

Go deeper: Putin's envoy to visit Washington for talks on Ukraine

[Vesper 30,103]

satire...............

 

Denmark Offers to Buy Michigan, Citing "Strategic Clog Manufacturing Potential"

COPENHAGEN – In an unexpected diplomatic twist, the Danish government has made a formal offer to purchase the U.S. state of Michigan, citing its "enormous strategic value" and "world-class wooden clog production capacity." The move comes in direct response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s infamous 2019 proposal to buy Greenland, a Danish territory.
“We believe Michigan is an underappreciated gem,” Danish Prime Minister Lars Frederiksen announced in a press conference. “It has pristine lakes, friendly people, and an impressive history of manufacturing and wooden clog craftsmanship. In many ways, it is the Greenland of the Midwest.”

A Generous Offer
The offer, rumoured to be in the range of 250 billion Danish kroner (about $37 billion USD), includes incentives such as lifetime supplies of premium Danish pastries for Michigan residents and exclusive discounts on LEGO sets.
“We want Michiganders to feel at home in Denmark,” Frederiksen said, “so we will also implement a government-backed ‘Hygge Initiative,’ ensuring every household gets a complimentary fireplace and wool blankets.”

The American Response
The U.S. government has yet to formally respond, but early reports indicate mixed reactions. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer released a brief statement saying, “While we appreciate Denmark’s interest, Michigan is not for sale—no matter how many cinnamon buns they throw in.”

Meanwhile, several Michigan residents were reportedly intrigued by the idea, particularly when they heard rumors that Denmark’s social welfare programs might extend to new Danish territories. “Free healthcare and more bicycles? That doesn’t sound so bad,” said one Grand Rapids resident.

Geopolitical Ramifications
International experts are debating the potential consequences of such a purchase. Some analysts suggest that if Denmark acquires Michigan, Sweden might counter with a bid for Minnesota, escalating tensions in the region.
“The Upper Midwest is up for grabs, folks,” said one political commentator. “At this rate, Norway might stake a claim to Wisconsin by year’s end.”

What’s Next?
Denmark has reportedly sent an official delegation to Holland, Michigan, to discuss terms, including how the state’s clog production could be ramped up for export to Dutch tourist markets. Negotiations may also include whether the Michigan Wolverines would have to rebrand as the “Danish Vikings.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, when asked about the proposal, responded, “If they want Michigan that badly, they can have it.”
Negotiations are ongoing.

Edited April 3 by Vesper