Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

It is a negotiation to get the other country to reduce its tariffs. If you place tariffs on things they don't export, they have no incentive to reduce tariffs.

Well, I guess we will see how this “negotiation” works out. Maybe it’s going to work out peachy keen, as you seem to think. On the other hand, maybe things will get massively more expensive for ordinary Americans, other nations will develop new trade agreements from which we will be left out entirely, and we’ll all be left far worse off for decades.

One thing for sure: reality doesn’t give a hoot what any of us believe, or how fervently we believe it.

Good luck to all of us!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

It is a negotiation to get the other country to reduce its tariffs. If you place tariffs on things they don't export, they have no incentive to reduce tariffs.

How is it both a negotiating tactic, and also the mechanism to bring in $600 billion to offset tax breaks for millionaires? It can't be both.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

It is a negotiation to get the other country to reduce its tariffs. If you place tariffs on things they don't export, they have no incentive to reduce tariffs.

What’s wrong with most-favored nation status?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

It is a negotiation to get the other country to reduce its tariffs. If you place tariffs on things they don't export, they have no incentive to reduce tariffs.

Ok. What tariffs are we trying to get reduced in banana and coffee producing countries? Didn't we have a free trade agreement with Colombia?

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

It is a negotiation to get the other country to reduce its tariffs. If you place tariffs on things they don't export, they have no incentive to reduce tariffs.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

You forgot that we're also trying to annex Panama. That will solve our banana and coffee issues.

Ah. Yes, I had forgotten this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

I posted about Trump being similar to The Joker in another thread. Read up on the dark triad https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_triad
or just psychopathy, sadism, narcissism and Machiavellianism. Stop trying to figure out how his decisions are designed to benefit people. He is not thinking about how to help anyone. He just enjoys torturing all of us and watching us squirm, rage and panic.

Sometimes the simple answer is the correct answer.

Buckle up.

PP. I basically agree, and I’ve basically written Trump off completely — he is the most emotional, vengeful, incompetent President I’ve seen in my lifetime.

But he is surrounded and lifted up by individuals from politicians to commentators who are justifying these tariffs. I’m trying to understand how these people can rationalize it — to themselves, and to the rest of us.

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

You forgot that we're also trying to annex Panama. That will solve our banana and coffee issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

They need another seven then, right? Maybe eight or nine so that one doesn’t get picked off?

I actually think there are enough to pass it in the house as well, but those idiots added a provision in their last bill that prevent futures bill related to tariffs. I am trying to understand how they get around that now.

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

I posted about Trump being similar to The Joker in another thread. Read up on the dark triad https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_triad
or just psychopathy, sadism, narcissism and Machiavellianism. Stop trying to figure out how his decisions are designed to benefit people. He is not thinking about how to help anyone. He just enjoys torturing all of us and watching us squirm, rage and panic.

Sometimes the simple answer is the correct answer.

Buckle up.

Bessent says we shouldn’t worry and no need to expect a recession. I want whatever he’s having….

These people are just not serious.


Bessent: "No reason" for markets to price in recession

Americans will benefit more from lower energy prices and interest rates than they will be hurt by falling stock prices as a result of President Trump's tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday.

Why it matters: Economists broadly fear a global recession, perhaps even a dire stagflationary environment of rising prices and slowing growth, after Trump's sweeping attempt to re-order the world's economy.
What they're saying: "Oil prices went down almost 15% in two days, which impacts working Americans much more than the stock market does. Interest rates hit their low for the year, so I'm expecting mortgage applications to pick up," Bessent told "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker.

By the numbers: Stocks fell more than 10% Thursday and Friday, wiping out more than $6 trillion in investor assets. But Bessent was adamant the economy will hold up.

"I see no reason that we have to price in a recession," he said.
He also insisted that the day-to-day gyrations of the market weren't relevant over the long term, even for people nearing retirement now.
"Americans who have put away for years in their savings account ... don't look at the day-to-day fluctuations of what's happening," he said.
Research shows the majority of American households own stocks, either directly or in mutual or retirement funds.

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/06/trump-tariffs-economy-recession

Okay, I realize I’m looking for logic where there is none. But even if we accept the idea that the goal of these tariffs is to re-industrialize the US…and even if we accept that tariffs on foreign manufacturing might make companies re-invest in U.S. factories…

Then why the heck are we putting tariffs on bananas and coffee? We are never going to be able to grow these things at any scale in the US. It’s GOOD to import these things — it means we have them, when we otherwise wouldn’t.

Can someone help me find even a crappy rationale that someone *might* believe where this made sense?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yep, 900 being laid off at Stellantis (maker of Jeeps) as direct consequence of Tariffs.

https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/stellantis-pause-production-windsor-plant-layoff-900-workers-midwest/

The Stellantis and Whirlpool layoffs should be in the FAFO thread. I’m sure the majority of those workers voted for the Orangeman and his tariffs.

Stellantis shut down factories in Canada and Mexico.

Stellantis also laid off over 900 hundred employees across Indiana and Michigan. They reported it’s temporary until they figure out the impact of the tariffs from products made in Canada.

One of MANY companies laying off.

I work in clean energy, one of the few industries that brought manufacturing back to the US, is laying people off - all in red states.

Anonymous wrote:

They need another seven then, right? Maybe eight or nine so that one doesn’t get picked off?

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand this well at all, but apparently the formula they used to calculate tariffs quadrupled what the tariffs should be.

https://www.aei.org/economics/president-trumps-tariff-formula-makes-no-economic-sense-its-also-based-on-an-error/

According to Snopes, social media users had figured out the formula before it was actually published.

https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/04/03/trump-tariff-formula/

This is maddening. This is the worst way to govern. This is why we don’t have a king, we have 3 branches of leadership. We have 500+ leaders in our country, not one.

Next time I calculate my grocery budget, I’ll take the amount of leftovers divided by the sale price at Publix. That is just as random and useless.