25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports.

[Spooky]

9 hours ago, james22 said:

Again, threatening to turn to China rather than simply meeting your obligations as an ally only makes us wonder if you ever really were an ally. 

 

Buddy this is an outcome that I do not want to happen. I do not want to live in a world where China is the dominant power. For years and years China has been going to other countries telling them that the US is an unreliable partner, that democracy is too chaotic and doesn't work. Why not partner with the CCP who you know will be here for the long haul. They are building bases in traditionally US ally countries like the UAE. They own so much infrastructure in Africa and South America.

 

A 25% blanket tariff on all Canadian goods from our biggest trading partner is going to cause significant economic hardship here. We will need to find new markets for these goods. Trump imposed less tariffs on China itself! This is just bullying, going after weaker countries. Why don't you focus on the real threats in the world?

[Hektor]

59 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

The political rhetoric already posted in this topic is to me a disgrace to CofB&F.

+1

[Milu]

The thing that I wonder about is that all the supposed experts and talking heads claim that trumps tariffs will mainly end up hurting Americans. If that’s the case then why bother retaliating, just let them hurt themselves. 

[Hektor]

16 minutes ago, Blake Hampton said:

The question I can’t seem to answer though is exactly how much of that should be cash.

Wanna try enough to sleep well?

[Blake Hampton]

3 minutes ago, Hektor said:

Wanna try enough to sleep well?

That’s a good answer. Gotta always have some cash.

[John Hjorth]

51 minutes ago, John Hjorth said:

... We need to take it easy, cool down, and focus on thinking about the situation in a rational way. ...

 

28 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Exactly. Everybody has been conditioned to get all dramatic and turn every little thing into a VERY, VERY, BIG DEAL! 
 

I wonder how many people are currently aware of all the global taxes and tariffs that influence everyday things that are currently unnoticed? But now of course, “new” and “Trump” and our heads need to explode.

 

Yeah, Greg [ @Gregmal ],

 

Let's see how it plays out.

 

Nothing posted in this topic so far has made me loose my belief in, that all this will eventually over time be settled by talks, sharing and exchange of opinions and stances, discussions, negotiations and bargaining.

[james22]

57 minutes ago, Blake Hampton said:

I do sometimes feel like I’m going crazy.

 

Read a little history, Blake.

[Spooky]

11 minutes ago, Milu said:

The thing that I wonder about is that all the supposed experts and talking heads claim that trumps tariffs will mainly end up hurting Americans. If that’s the case then why bother retaliating, just let them hurt themselves. 

 

I agree with this view. Retaliatory tariffs just make American imports more expensive for Canadians. We could always sue in the WTO but that will take like a decade to resolve (if America even decides to abide by their dispute resolution process any more).

[John Hjorth]

46 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

... I wonder how many people are currently aware of all the global taxes and tariffs that influence everyday things that are currently unnoticed? But now of course, “new” and “Trump” and our heads need to explode. ...

 

 - This is just so great, Greg [ @Gregmal ] 

 

The only thing where I think [while I'm not totally sure] I'm up to date with tariffs is on ...- books 

[Pelagic]

8 minutes ago, Milu said:

The thing that I wonder about is that all the supposed experts and talking heads claim that trumps tariffs will mainly end up hurting Americans. If that’s the case then why bother retaliating, just let them hurt themselves. 

I'm kind of surprised Canada is going with the retaliatory tariffs approach too. I get that their politicians have to be seen as doing something and it's the most straightforward option to implement tariffs in return but there are other options. Putting their head down and committing to a national Manhattan Project style buildout of export capacity would likely put them in a much better position long term. This would also be a good use of tariff revenue in the short term for Canada. If a country (Canada) is selling you resources at a discount because they can't overcome domestic issues to facilitate the construction of export capacity, this isn't a situation you want to mess with, but alas here we are.

 

In a saner world Canada could even resurrect the TPP and spearhead a large free trade union sans US.

 

 

[Gamecock-YT]

42 minutes ago, Mephistopheles said:

 

I thought it was idiotic to start trade wars. But, I can see now that Trump does it as a bargaining tool.

 

He wants everyone to think he’s crazier than he actually is. I’m sure the U.S. will get concessions via his antics.

 

Canada should call his bluff and ban all exports of Canadian energy to the United States then. That's clearly the weakness in this tariff equation given the non-25% carve out. I don't think the Canadians have the guts/political capital to put up with the issues it would cause, but if you want to fight fire with fire that's your bargaining chip.

 

You don't try and act rational with a bully, you punch him back in the fucking face. No different than playing hockey.

 

 

[gary17]

my view is the 25% tarrif is very heavy handed and most Canadians feel it's an unfair and unjust punishment  that gives no value to the longtanding friendship between the two countries. 

 

i agree canada's been focused on the wrong thing for the last decade , nato spending falling behind, border, etc, etc. but the president could have approached the problem differently, and not threatn canada to be 51st state.  

 

 it would have been nicer to give very specific targets: meet 2% or 5% of GDP on defence by 20XX,  spend XX Billions on border,  allow FBIs to jointly participate in cracking down drug operations in Canada, etc, etc. 

 

the current 25% tarrifs approach will likely back-fire and  i am concerned will have the opposite result the new administration is looking for.  need carrot and stick.

 

 

Edited 3 hours ago by gary17

[Gregmal]

36 minutes ago, Milu said:

The thing that I wonder about is that all the supposed experts and talking heads claim that trumps tariffs will mainly end up hurting Americans. If that’s the case then why bother retaliating, just let them hurt themselves. 

Well, maybe if all the experts and talking heads didn’t destroy all their credibility over the past decade….

 

As mentioned earlier, they’ve all clearly demonstrated the inability to refrain from lying or being dishonest about anything Trump, so most people just write them off entirely now.

Edited 2 hours ago by Gregmal

[Gamecock-YT]

1 hour ago, cubsfan said:

 

I think many are trying to... it's not easy.  Arguments presented on both sides. What would be your suggestion to discuss such an important issue?

 

Let me ask you this @John Hjorth - tariffs are used around the world by many countries.

 

Why? and When should they be used?  Should they never be used? 

Is a soveriegn nation immoral if they ever use tariffs?

 

In particular, do you think the Mexican tariffs are immoral or unnecessary?

 

I will purposely leave Canada out of the question to avoid the emotional response.

 

You aren't purposely leaving them out because they aren't nearly the problem that Mexico is, yet are being punished none the same? I guess this gets you off your talking points, so I look forward to your youtube video on the subject.

[dwy000]

5 minutes ago, gary17 said:

my view is the 25% tarrif is very heavy handed and most Canadians feel it's an unfair and unjust punishment  that gives no value to the longtanding friendship between the two countries. 

 

i agree canada's been focused on the wrong thing for the last decade , nato spending falling behind, border, etc, etc. but the president could have approached the problem differently, and not threatn canada to be 51st state.  

 

 it would have been nicer to give very specific targets: meet 2% or 5% of GDP on defence by 20XX,  spend XX Billions on border,  allow FBIs to jointly participate in cracking down drug operations in Canada, etc, etc. 

 

the current 25% tarrifs approach will likely back-fire and  i am concerned will have the opposite result the new administration is looking for.  need carrot and stick.

 

 

The Canadian tarriffs have nothing to do with drugs or immigration.  They have nothing to with Nato spending or back door China issues - Trump doesn't have the intelligence for 3rd level thinking like that.  He wants to be a bully and show he's a tough guy.  That's it.  There's no other reason.  It's the same thing with Greenland and Panama and whatever stupid diversion comes into his head next.  If he put this level of focus on things that would actually make a difference and improve Americans lives it would be amazing what could be accomplished. But this is 100% about him and his ego.  That's it. 

[cubsfan]

6 minutes ago, Gamecock-YT said:

 

You aren't purposely leaving them out because they aren't nearly the problem that Mexico is, yet are being punished none the same? I guess this gets you off your talking points, so I look forward to your youtube video on the subject.

 

I've very clearly said that Mexico is the far worse problem - many times.

 

Sorry you can't read and want to distort the truth.

 

But continue to run around with your hair on fire in the meantime.

[John Hjorth]

1 hour ago, Gregmal said:

Well, one it’s a choice, and two, it’s a horrible way to live. 

 

True  

 

- It's the 'perfect way' to impose all the worlds negatives on your own life, existence and way of thinking. Pessimism, negativism, no trust towards anything, or anybody, no trust, belief,  or vision for the future of the planet and its inhabitants, and one will eventually pass away, alone, negative in mind, deprived from a lot of positives from life and that of being conceived as being born as a social creature.

[Milu]

7 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

Well, maybe if all the experts and talking heads didn’t destroy all their credibility over the past decade….

Haha yes. I do find it quite funny how all the 'experts' in the FT and Economist were dissing Milei's policies when he came into power last year, and now that they have started to work they have backtracked massively. Same with Bukele in El Salvador. 

 

Surprised people put any weight in anything they say really. I'd trust the opinions of Jamie Dimon, Stan Druckenmiller, Buffett etc over some random journalist/economist. 

 

As you mentioned earlier tariffs aren't some new thing and they exist in just about every country in the world to some degree, yet when trump uses them panic ensues.

[Gamecock-YT]

Just now, cubsfan said:

 

I've very clearly said that Mexico is the far worse problem - many times.

 

Sorry you can't read and want to distort the truth.

 

But continue to run around with your hair on fire in the meantime.

 

Distort the truth? That's a fucking laugh. Especially coming from you!

 

If you are all in on this MAGA agenda then tell the Canadians all your MAGA talking points. Don't go soft just because people can't take it. You're making America GREAT AGAIN! They need to know! WE need to hear all those great youtube videos because we CLEARLY don't get it!

 

 

 

[wisdom]

He is the North American Putin. There is no other reason just people parroting the party line. He is an expansionist who wants Canada. He admires Putin and Xi after all.

 

[cubsfan]

Just now, Gamecock-YT said:

 

Distort the truth? That's a fucking laugh. Especially coming from you!

 

If you are all in on this MAGA agenda then tell the Canadians all your MAGA talking points. Don't go soft just because people can't take it. You're making America GREAT AGAIN! They need to know! WE need to hear all those great youtube videos because we CLEARLY don't get it!

 

 

 

 

Hey, you forgot - he's Hitler and a racist all rolled into one. Tell us more before you have a heart attack.

 

 

[Gamecock-YT]

Just now, cubsfan said:

 

Hey, you forgot - he's Hitler and a racist all rolled into one. Tell us more before you have a heart attack.

 

 

 

I was hoping for a youtube video, SAD!

[cubsfan]

Just now, Gamecock-YT said:

 

I was hoping for a youtube video, SAD!

 

Just think, those video interviews came from 3 other board members, not me.

They likely care about your opinion as much as i do. LOL

[Gamecock-YT]

Just now, cubsfan said:

 

Just think, those video interviews came from 3 other board members, not me.

They likely care about your opinion as much as i do. LOL

 

That's the first original thought I've ever seen you have! Way to go!

[cubsfan]

2 minutes ago, Gamecock-YT said:

 

That's the first original thought I've ever seen you have! Way to go!

 

Correct, I generally have few revelations. I study the issues Listen to smart, reasonable people and make up my mind. Fortunately, you aren't on that list.