Trump finalizes tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, triggering likely trade war

Because you don't have enough money to write a check to Donald that would matter to Donald. Nike does. And probably has.

 

Damn Trump's gonna put a 100% tariff on the country of Mattel. I have Mattelianese relatives.

 

Yea, he's as sharp as the proverbial tack. Im reminded of that Zeppelin song "Ramble On."

 

Careful, I hear that he is going to send the Mattelianese to Libya.

 

I cant figure out what is going on there. In fact, this makes more sense to me.

 

China in distress: Protests, economic signals reveal pressure from U.S. tariffs

 

https://www.newsmax.com/politics/ja...=DM790414_05102025&s=acs&dkt_nbr=010504ntljgp

 

Talks underway. Even if resolved there will be a gridlock at ports for next 2 months after another month of deserted ports. Awesome for business Donnie! Why not just kick businesses in the balls for fun?

Trade talks between the US and China are underway in Switzerland. Here’s what’s at stake | CNN Business

High-level talks between the United States and China have begun in Geneva, Switzerland, Chinese state media reported on Saturday, in a possible thaw in the trade war sparked by President Donald Trump’s massive tariffs.

Vice Premier He Lifeng will lead the talks on the Chinese side, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will be America’s chief representative, state broadcaster CCTV said in a brief report.

 

“Donard, you real asshoe.”
— China —

 

Art. Of. The. Stupid.

Ron Filipkowski (@ronfilipkowski.bsky.social)

 

Cause a crisis, resolve it, claim victory. They can't even get to step 2

 

It is bizarre. I heard an economist demonstrate this by saying that he has a huge trade deficit with the grocery store. Every time he goes there, he gives them money for goods, and they never buy anything from him.

And this was all pointed out in 1776:

Nothing, however, can be more absurd than this whole doctrine of the balance of trade, upon which, not only these restraints, but almost all the other regulations of commerce are founded. When two places trade with one another, this doctrine supposes that, if the balance be even, neither of them either loses or gains; but if it leans in any degree to one side, that one of them loses and the other gains in proportion to its deviation from the exact equilibrium. Both suppositions are false.

-Adam Smith​

 

Apparently Trump will not back down on tariffs against products from the country of Mattel.
Trump threatens Mattel with 100% tariffs as doll fallout escalates
Trump Hilariously Calls Toy Firm Mattel a Country

 

But, even that does not tell the whole story. When I buy something it creates consumer surplus too. If I buy a six pack for $10 it means it is worth more than $10 to me, so I get consumer SURPLUS = the value of the six pack - $10, the store gets producer surplus = $10 - cost.

This demonstrates why the way we measure the trade deficit is poor. We measure the $10 - cost because it can be objectively measured. & guess what sys maximizes total surplus? Yep, pure competition with no taxes. Taxes reduce both producer & consumer surplus creating a destruction of wealth EVEN counting the cut the gov gets.

 

so, you've come around on tariffs & recognize they destroy wealth. & people say leftists never learn.

 

I think tariffs are very useful