It is interesting reading this from your perspective, @gadrian. You are one of the accounts whose content I still read. You seem thoughtful in what you have to say, as a general rule.
One aspect of these tariffs I do not see mentioned is a key word. Reciprocal. That word is being reported as the center of what President Trump says will be coming on April 2nd. The point?
Tariffs are already in place. I would suggest either an argument be made that is simply not true. Or an argument should be made as to why it is okay for other countries to have various tariffs against trade with the U.S., but not the other way around.
@roleerob, don't let yourself be fooled by whatever President Trump says.
The VAT in Europe is very different from Tariffs. VAT is a value-added tax that applies equally to all competitors - although the value might be different for clusters of products (e.g., bread vs cars). VAT is paid at each commercial step as a tax on the value that is added to the product by that specific company. In the end, similar products have similar taxes added to the price, independent of the manufacturer, tax that is paid by private consumers. This is how EU is sponsoring the social welfare policy. I can't believe POTUS is not informed on this. Still, he calls Tariffs a reciprocal thing to EU's VAT.
Okay, @steemmillionaire, yes I have heard of the VAT. Are you saying there are no tariffs imposed on the U.S. from any European country whatsoever?
In my bringing this up, I had in mind more of what we read about countries like India and southeastern Asia. Whether they would make similar arguments to yours, I do not know.
I am open to discussing it, at least.
@roleerob, I'm not an expert on the topic, but it seems that the EU Commission wrote an article explaining the trades between US & EU, deficits, tariffs, sales tax & VAT: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_25_541
The average tariffs, excluding VAT and sales tax, were around 1% before the Trump Administration, well balanced (in 2023, the US collected approximately €7 billion of tariffs on EU exports, and the EU collected approximately €3 billion on US exports).
Yes, on some products, there's an asymmetry, but that is because both parties agreed so (the US protected the truck industry with 25% tariffs; the EU protected the small vehicles industry with 10% tariffs).
And I believe the analyses provided by the EU Commission do not include expenses on military stuff, as that is anyway gov2gov discussed in most cases. EU is a net importer of the US defence industry.
President Trump never said all of this - at least I could not find it in his communication.
Thank you for your additional input on this, @steemmillionaire. I appreciate this:
I am not either. My original response contained a request for clarification, not declarative statements, on that basis. Further, I would say the vast majority of people could say the same thing, if they were being open and honest.
Whatever happens, I know I was not consulted. You probably could confirm the same on your side. Together we'll find out what the ultimate outcome of this particular aspect of Trump's agenda is.
Along the way, we can rest assured the effort to continuously manipulate, confuse, and delude people will not stop, resulting in as much division as possible.
Perhaps some day, the people being subjected to it will finally speak with an overwhelming, unified voice and say they have had enough.
That day will come sooner as more people take responsibility by using platforms such as Optimism Fractal DAO's, helping improve and create new models of "People Powered" Anonymous Decentralised Fractal Democracy for Community Governance.
That is an interesting perspective, @atma.love. While I do not specifically know to what you are referring here, I assume they are crypto related references. We'll find out soon enough whether blockchain technology truly plays a role in liberating us, from what I am touching on.
Thanks for continuing to read my posts!
There will always be some imbalance to correct. It often depends on who weighs on things and determine they are balanced or not. And it depends if correcting certain imbalances brings you (i.e. in this case, the US) and the partners more harm than good. Especially that the US needs partners even more than before to stay competitive against the bigger perceived threat.
Trump tells a lot of half-truths or plain lies to justify his actions. It's like a broken record. It's unfortunate, but when he starts talking and I have a choice, I mute the sound, because he started to bore me to death. I've seen people stopped contradicting him altogether, because it's counterproductive. He just gets more stubborn and probably never hears what the other person says on some subjects, or if he does, he gets mad about it.
Tariffs are a tax on you to support local businesses. Reciprocal or not.
This trade war is going to cost us all... for what?!
The real issue is the strained relationship that's being caused by this weird victim complex the current US regime has. The numbers he throws out are crazy and lack any sort of context.
Trump's policies and attitudes are so disliked here in Canada that he will cost the Conservative party, which has similar policies/rhetoric and would be the most sympathetic to him, the upcoming election after they have held double digit poll leads forever. People have called for the government to revoke Elon's citizenship and labeled him a traitor.
Our nations are the closest of friends with fantastic benefits that have legitimately affected everyone on both sides. Something I never see mentioned is that militarily defending the 49th parallel would cost trillions of dollars. Is this relationship something worth casually disrespecting or ending with insults, open corruption, blatant incompetence, lies, and bullying?
I think a lot of people here would be open to the 51st state idea if some of the cultural issues the US has, such as gun violence and authoritarianism, were resolved.
TLDR: I hope you have a good car with a long warranty
Thank you for your response, @alapok. I am sympathetic to parts of it, e.g. the continual reference Trump makes to Canada becoming our 51st state. What games are being played behind the scenes with this, I have no idea. Nor do I suspect, do the vast majority of people. He clearly had zero regard for Trudeau.
FWIW, I am not in favor of Canada becoming our 51st state.
For adding a little humor (maybe?) and a bit of color into this conversation with you, I used to manage a team of Canadians. On my first official business trip in that role, I was introduced to this huge guy out in Alberta whose first question was to ask where I was from. Having been told by my new direct reports how sensitive the topic of Canada NOT being America was.
I proceeded to answer honestly about living not that far south in the Pacific Northwest. Leading to this huge man standing up, reaching across the table, and dwarfing my hand in his with a handshake. Telling me (pretty close all these years later ...):
We all had a good laugh and a nice dinner afterwards.
I will never forget that experience.