Trade Wars and Tariffs

[BigOrangeMojo]

Hang on. So it finally dawned on me what you lapdogs did with this “truflation”. The ACTUAL CPI for July was 2.9 and core was 3.2. So you rubes didn’t like it and went and made up your own favorable inflation gauge!!!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

One point to call put. July 25 hasnt been released yet. It wont be for another 10 days.

You are pulling July 2024 where core was 3.2. June 2025 had a core of 2.9.

I suspect July will have a core near 3.2 though

 

[NorthDallas40]

One point to call put. July 25 hasnt been released yet. It wont be for another 10 days.

You are pulling July 2024 where core was 3.2. June 2025 had a core of 2.9.

I suspect July will have a core near 3.2 though

Ah ok thx.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

Ah ok thx.

I expect 3.1 for core. Just enough to keep it under Biden....

 

[NorthDallas40]

I expect 3.1 for core. Just enough to keep it under Biden....

I just googled again. June CPI/core as reported around July 12(?) was 2.7/2.93 which are still quite a bit higher than this “Truflation” metric that fits the lapdog narrative better. 1.6% inflation is a laughable claim.

 

[BigOrangeMojo]

I just googled again. June CPI/core as reported around July 12(?) was 2.7/2.93 which are still quite a bit higher than this “Truflation” metric that fits the lapdog narrative better. 1.6% inflation is a laughable claim.

I dont hate Truflation. Personally, I think it overweighs housing and especially overweighs it when you use the number as a proxy on impact of tarrifs.

Core Truflation CPI without housing was 2.95%.

The exact number isnt as important as the trend....

 

[NorthDallas40]

I dont hate Truflation. Personally, I think it overweighs housing and especially overweighs it when you use the number as a proxy on impact of tarrifs.

Core Truflation CPI without housing was 2.95%.

The exact number isnt as important as the trend....

I’ve never heard of them before this. They apparently came on the scene in 2021. Their method appears to be more real time price analytics vs the historical method of BLS which has to lag by design.

But what I am straight up attacking is substituting a 1.6% value for the BLS methods 2.7/2.93 values just because it fits the narrative better.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

In 1983 Reagan put a 45% tariff on 700cc motorcycle imports to help Harley Davidson compete. Then a lot of 699cc motorcycles were imported from Japan in the mid 1980s.

 

[Ritzwatch]

In 1983 Reagan put a 45% tariff on 700cc motorcycle imports to help Harley Davidson compete. Then a lot of 699cc motorcycles were imported from Japan in the mid 1980s.

Continues n design and production today. The 650’s are really 649’s, etc., just so they will slide under any future arbitrary levels so the manufacturer won’t have to reengineer engines.

 

[jmacvols1]

 

[BeardedVol]

 

[rekinhavoc]

Breitbart Business Digest: Why Trump Won the Trade War Before the First Shot Was Fired

The rest of the world understands what many economists still don’t: the U.S. economy is keystone of the global trading system. | Economy

www.breitbart.com

You Can’t Retaliate Against Your Best Customer​

Retaliation requires leverage. And in trade, leverage comes from being able to walk away. But no one wants to walk away from the U.S. consumer.

Wolf singled out tariffs on Brazil and Laos as particularly egregious. But these examples actually underscore the point. Laos, with a tiny bilateral surplus, has no fallback market. Brazil—despite its bluster—relies on U.S. imports of commodities, aircraft, and metals to sustain key industries. The power imbalance isn’t ideological. It’s structural.

And the same holds for bigger players. Germany doesn’t want to become a net importer. Japan can’t afford to be. China fears what would happen if it stopped running surpluses. There is no one in a position to replace the U.S. as the buyer of last resort.

That’s why they didn’t retaliate. They negotiated.

The Realignment Already Happened​

The most telling fact is not who attacked Trump’s tariffs, but what happened after. If the strategy were as flawed as Trump’s critics insisted, we would have seen retaliation, withdrawal, or disruption. Instead, we saw a parade of trade envoys looking for terms.

Because in the end, the rest of the world understands what many economists still don’t: the U.S. economy is a keystone of the global trading system. You attempt to rebel against it, and the whole export-led model collapses.

America’s critics may not like the new rules, but they still need access to the American market.

 

[MontyPython]

Per Trump:

The market is shrugging off the Trump administration’s “reciprocal” tariffs, which went into effect Thursday. In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote that “BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TARIFFS ARE NOW FLOWING INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”

Feel compelled to fix his post.

Trump posted:

“BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW TAXES ARE NOW FLOWING OUT OF AMERICANS' POCKETS INTO THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”

Thanks, Donald.

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Per Trump:

The market is shrugging off the Trump administration’s “reciprocal” tariffs, which went into effect Thursday. In a post on Truth Social, the president wrote that “BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN TARIFFS ARE NOW FLOWING INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”

Feel compelled to fix his post.

Trump posted:

“BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW TAXES ARE NOW FLOWING OUT OF AMERICANS' POCKETS INTO THE GOVERNMENT TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!”

Thanks, Donald.

But you lefties love taxes going to the government

 

[MontyPython]

More stupidity today.

Lutnick and Trump proudly boast that we Americans are paying the government new taxes of $50 billion per month. He also projects we'll all pay the Government an additional $1 TRILLION per year in new taxes.

Where's the outrage Trumpsters? Did you elect Trump and expect him to raise your taxes?

MAGA: Tax Americans more and kick out all our cheap labor.

For those of you naysayers who think inflation won't be a problem... let's chat again six months from now, shall we.

That Donald... he's a stable ****ing genius.

Lutnick projects $50 billion in monthly revenue from sweeping new tariffs​

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that the United States could soon generate as much as $50 billion per month in tariff revenues, as the new and expanded import levies begin to take effect worldwide.

“I think we’re going to be heading towards $50 billion a month in tariff revenue that no one’s talked about except for the president,” Lutnick told Fox Business in an interview this morning.

The US government collected nearly $30 billion in tariff revenue last month and $100 billion since April, according to the Treasury Department. Last month, tariff revenue rose 242% from July 2024.

The surge in tariff revenue is expected to come not only from existing duties but also from upcoming tariffs targeting key sectors such as technology and pharmaceuticals, Lutnick said.

“And then you’re going to get the semiconductors, you’re going to get pharmaceuticals, you’re going to get all sorts of additional tariff money coming in,” Lutnick he added.

Lutnick suggested this aligns with the administration’s broader economic vision, citing a dramatic long-term goal.

“As the president says, this could continue to head towards and ultimately reach $1 trillion,” Lutnick said.

 

[lawgator1]

More stupidity today.

Lutnick and Trump proudly boast that we Americans are paying the government new taxes of $50 billion per month. He also projects we'll all pay the Government an additional $1 TRILLION per year in new taxes.

Where's the outrage Trumpsters? Did you elect Trump and expect him to raise your taxes?

MAGA: Tax Americans more and kick out all our cheap labor.

For those of you naysayers who think inflation won't be a problem... let's chat again six months from now, shall we.

That Donald... he's a stable ****ing genius.

Lutnick projects $50 billion in monthly revenue from sweeping new tariffs​

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that the United States could soon generate as much as $50 billion per month in tariff revenues, as the new and expanded import levies begin to take effect worldwide.

“I think we’re going to be heading towards $50 billion a month in tariff revenue that no one’s talked about except for the president,” Lutnick told Fox Business in an interview this morning.

The US government collected nearly $30 billion in tariff revenue last month and $100 billion since April, according to the Treasury Department. Last month, tariff revenue rose 242% from July 2024.

The surge in tariff revenue is expected to come not only from existing duties but also from upcoming tariffs targeting key sectors such as technology and pharmaceuticals, Lutnick said.

“And then you’re going to get the semiconductors, you’re going to get pharmaceuticals, you’re going to get all sorts of additional tariff money coming in,” Lutnick he added.

Lutnick suggested this aligns with the administration’s broader economic vision, citing a dramatic long-term goal.

“As the president says, this could continue to head towards and ultimately reach $1 trillion,” Lutnick said.

The former trickle down folks got what they wanted -- a consumption tax on the middle and lower classes disguised as tariffs paid by hostile governments.

I'd like to think they will at least pay down the debt with this, but I doubt it.

 

[W.TN.Orange Blood]

 

[MontyPython]

Me: Why do you support tariffs, MAGA voter?

MAGA voter:

 

[Ritzwatch]

This would be a more effective comparison if the start date was price the day before tariffs to now. I have no idea how much of the increase was last summer -> tariff date, or even how much of the increase came during the Biden Admin, but I suspect that was intentional.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

More stupidity today.

Lutnick and Trump proudly boast that we Americans are paying the government new taxes of $50 billion per month. He also projects we'll all pay the Government an additional $1 TRILLION per year in new taxes.

Where's the outrage Trumpsters? Did you elect Trump and expect him to raise your taxes?

MAGA: Tax Americans more and kick out all our cheap labor.

For those of you naysayers who think inflation won't be a problem... let's chat again six months from now, shall we.

That Donald... he's a stable ****ing genius.

Lutnick projects $50 billion in monthly revenue from sweeping new tariffs​

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that the United States could soon generate as much as $50 billion per month in tariff revenues, as the new and expanded import levies begin to take effect worldwide.

“I think we’re going to be heading towards $50 billion a month in tariff revenue that no one’s talked about except for the president,” Lutnick told Fox Business in an interview this morning.

The US government collected nearly $30 billion in tariff revenue last month and $100 billion since April, according to the Treasury Department. Last month, tariff revenue rose 242% from July 2024.

The surge in tariff revenue is expected to come not only from existing duties but also from upcoming tariffs targeting key sectors such as technology and pharmaceuticals, Lutnick said.

“And then you’re going to get the semiconductors, you’re going to get pharmaceuticals, you’re going to get all sorts of additional tariff money coming in,” Lutnick he added.

Lutnick suggested this aligns with the administration’s broader economic vision, citing a dramatic long-term goal.

“As the president says, this could continue to head towards and ultimately reach $1 trillion,” Lutnick said.

We? They said “we”?

“Lutnick and Trump proudly boast that we Americans are paying the government new taxes of $50 billion per month. He also projects we'll all pay the Government an additional $1 TRILLION per year in new taxes.”

 

[MontyPython]

We? They said “we”?

“Lutnick and Trump proudly boast that we Americans are paying the government new taxes of $50 billion per month. He also projects we'll all pay the Government an additional $1 TRILLION per year in new taxes.”

No. Dumbass One Trump and Dumbass Two Lutnick did not say "we" are paying their new taxes... which is precisely my point. They're trying to make us believe that there's some magical money fairy raining down on all of us with these amazing new tariffs... when in fact, they're collecting a NEW tax on all of us. Money that goes from OUR pockets into the federal government's coffers.

This isn't new foreign money pouring in. Foreign governments and their citizens are NOT paying for the tariffs. WE are.

We're living in an Orwellian 1984 dystopia where our "stable genius" leaders would have you believe it's raining (they're pissing on your leg, bro). Sad thing is, most of the mindless mass of zombies out there probably believe them.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

No. Dumbass One Trump and Dumbass Two Lutnick did not say "we" are paying their new taxes... which is precisely my point. They're trying to make us believe that there's some magical money fairy raining down on all of us with these amazing new tariffs... when in fact, they're collecting a NEW tax on all of us. Money that goes from OUR pockets into the federal government's coffers.

This isn't new foreign money pouring in. Foreign governments and their citizens are NOT paying for the tariffs. WE are.

We're living in an Orwellian 1984 dystopia where our "stable genius" leaders would have you believe it's raining (they're pissing on your leg, bro). Sad thing is, most of the mindless mass of zombies out there probably believe them.

When the tariffs are near single digit or slightly above that, the foreign manufacturers do in fact typically cover them by reducing the price to US importers.

Over 80% of trade with Canada and Mexico is tariff free. Energy from Canada is zero. The high rates are being applied to goods originating from other countries that are evading tariffs - in cases where Canada and, to a higher degree, Mexico are reselling those goods to the US market. High tariffs are also being proposed to combat dumping. That protects the US manufacturing base and jobs.

The high tariffs are being assessed to correct bad behavior, not to generate tax revenue. The proceeds going to the Treasury is a byproduct.

 

[MontyPython]

Fine job of carrying water for the administration.

All those economists here in the US. Bunch of pencil pushing nerds. They don’t know ****. Thank god we have a real estate expert to teach them good.

 

[Thunder Good-Oil]

Fine job of carrying water for the administration.

All those economists here in the US. Bunch of pencil pushing nerds. They don’t know ****. Thank god we have a real estate expert to teach them good.

Poor job of treating your TDS.

The real estate expert recognizes when the US is being taken advantage of and is taking a business-like approach instead of being the world’s charity.

The left leaning economists are conveniently ignoring major parts while the media is emphasizing the immaterial aspects. 80% plus of US/Mexico and US/Canada trade is tariff free. Including Canadian energy imports.

 

[MontyPython]

Poor job of treating your TDS.

The real estate expert recognizes when the US is being taken advantage of and is taking a business-like approach instead of being the world’s charity.

The left leaning economists are conveniently ignoring major parts while the media is emphasizing the immaterial aspects. 80% plus of US/Mexico and US/Canada trade is tariff free. Including Canadian energy imports.

Mkay. I'll bite.

When you say Trump recognizes when "the US is being taken advantage of and is taking a business-like approach instead of being the world’s charity"... What do you really mean by this?

Do you think that having a trade deficit with another country means we're being taken advantage of?

You're missing the big picture.

Take Bangladesh. Shithole country. We buy clothes and apparel from that country. They sell our importers shirts for $3 that would cost $30 to make here. You end up buying that shirt for $15 here at Walmart. Guess what... You just saved $15 over the American made shirt.

You. You saved money.

So guess what... Everybody figures out buying a shirt from Bangladesh saves money. Get the same quality shirt for a half the price. What happens? Demand for shirts from Bangladesh increases. We as a country end up buying a whole lot of shirts from Bangladesh which allow us to save a whole lot of f****** money.

But now the folks in Bangladesh... frankly 95% of them don't have two f****** sticks to rub together. The average person makes $3,000 a year.

Tell me... tell me exactly what someone who lives in Bangladesh is going to buy from us here in the United states. What products are we going to sell them that they can afford making $3,000 a year?

But wait by Trump's "logic"... they should be buying our Cadillacs at $70,000 a pop. Because if they don't, that means we'll end up buying more stuff from them than they buy from us... WHICH RESULTS IN A TRADE DEFICIT.

So do tell me how us buying cheap shirts from Bangladesh is a problem and tell me why people in Bangladesh should be buying our $70,000 Cadillacs to try to equalize our trade deficit.

Tell me how we're behaving like a charity when we buy shirts for 1/5th the price from Bangladesh. If anything people in Bangladesh will tell you how much you're taking advantage of their cheap labor.

Yes, we have a trade deficit with Bangladesh. But guess who actually benefits from that trade deficit (aka cheap labor)... you and me.

Trump's "solution" to this non-existent "problem"? Add a 30% tariff (TAX) to all goods imported from Bangladesh. Now that shirt is 30% more expensive. But wait... Bangladesh paid that new tariff right? We showed them.

WRONG.

You, sir. You get the honor of paying that extra 30% on that shirt you bought from Walmart.

And where does that new tariff money go?

Straight into the United States Treasury Department.

You just got new taxes up your ass and you're happy about it. WTF dude?

But Trump would argue that these tariffs will force industry to relocate here. That we'll have some sort of wackadoodle second industrial manufacturing revolution here in the United States. The ****? Okay those people over in Bangladesh... I just Googled it... the average Bangladesh citizen makes $0.70 an hour. What business owner in his or her right mind would relocate to the United States from Bangladesh to our country where minimum wage in many states is $15 an hour.

Ohhh... but Trump would argue that we can modernize everything and it'll be simplified and manufactured in a more streamlined fashion.

Bull ****ing ****. If that were the case it would already be happening here.

Right. Now.

We're being sold a bill of goods from a serial liar who is literally the dumbest president we've likely ever had.

BTW We tried tariffs in this country previously... 1920s. Shut down international trade and, in part, ushered in the Great Depression.

Any of this sinking in yet?