Tariff - aftermath

[dwy000]

5 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

You can argue that two ways:

 

One, there are those that are perma-bears and hold cash regardless of opportunities.  That's not me.

 

Two, there are those that hold significant amounts of cash when they can't find great ideas, but pour it into the markets gleefully when they do appear.  That's me.

 

Cheers!

The whole basis for the TACO trade was to stay long because he would back down on tariffs.  This wasnt how they imagined it but the trade will still work. 

[cubsfan]

1 minute ago, Parsad said:

 

Other than sealing down the southern border, what has he accomplished in this term so far?  Half the ideas that were on his mandate, either he backed down or the courts had him back down.  Even Harvard is willing to go to war with him...Putin isn't listening...Bibi is doing what he wants...Elon left...big spending bill is spending, but not paying down the deficit or debt...gender war is sort of at a stalemate...half the people he fired were rehired...etc.

 

The only thing the Trump offense is killing it at is making a shit load of money for the Trump empire!  And it's certainly a sight to behold, while we all pinch our nose at the stench!  Cheers!

 

So much for Trump being a dictator. Separation of powers is real. Sovereignty of nations is real.

Bibi will do what he wants. Putin will find out. Harvard will lose - hell they keep breaking the law.

Trump has to compromise on his spending bill. The dems are getting clocked on the culture wars.

Trump may actually solve the Ukraine & Middle East wars - Iran will be next.

 

Lots on the plate - it's real early now. Stay tuned and keep rooting for failure.

 

[Parsad]

4 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

So much for Trump being a dictator. Separation of powers is real. Sovereignty of nations is real.

Bibi will do what he wants. Putin will find out. Harvard will lose - hell they keep breaking the law.

Trump has to compromise on his spending bill. The dems are getting clocked on the culture wars.

Trump may actually solve the Ukraine & Middle East wars - Iran will be next.

 

Lots on the plate - it's real early now. Stay tuned and keep rooting for failure.

 

 

Not rooting for failure.  Just Trump keeps failing or at least chickening out!  I agree with many of his policies...just not the way they were implemented.  And apparently most of the world, including his own cabinet, have their doubts about it.  And now we are seeing him back down alot on these chainsaw like implementations.

 

This guy likes TACO too!  But he already knew that years ago!  Cheers!

 

[cubsfan]

9 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

Canada has agreed to increase their spending...long-term target for Carney is 3% of GDP.  They will also put money into the "Gold Dome" missile shield. 

 

Canada had 88 F-35's on order, but suspended them as soon as Trump went off his rocker and started throwing tariffs around like farts.  I expect once things go back to normal, the order will be unsuspended.  

 

They are also ordering a bunch of subs, missile batteries, and increasing the Canadian infantry by 20%.  That still will barely hit 2%, so Canada will be spending hundreds of billion more buying U.S. and European military equipment.  But probably not until Trump changes his attitude!  Cheers!

 

Oh, that's funny - 11 years later, long before Trump.

 

Promises, promises.  Better late than never!

[Hektor]

25 minutes ago, Parsad said:

 

Other than sealing down the southern border, what has he accomplished in this term so far?  Half the ideas that were on his mandate, either he backed down or the courts had him back down.  Even Harvard is willing to go to war with him...Putin isn't listening...Bibi is doing what he wants...Elon left...big spending bill is spending, but not paying down the deficit or debt...gender war is sort of at a stalemate...half the people he fired were rehired...etc.

 

The only thing the Trump offense is killing it at is making a shit load of money for the Trump empire!  And it's certainly a sight to behold, while we all pinch our nose at the stench!  Cheers!

And the plane?

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/28/trump-qatar-air-force-one/
 

Trump’s Air Force One deal with Qatar not final, despite U.S. claims

The delay reflects lingering concerns about legal liabilities stemming from a White House maneuver to transform what was originally a sale between two countries into a “gift.”

 

Despite claims by the Defense Department to the contrary, legal teams representing the U.S. and Qatari governments have not finalized an agreement for transferring the luxury Boeing 747-8 jetliner that President Donald Trump wants for Air Force One amid outstanding requests by Qatar for Washington to clarify the transaction’s terms, said officials familiar with the matter.

 

Qatar is insisting that a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Doha specify that the aircraft’s transfer was initiated by the Trump administration and that Qatar is not responsible for any future transfers of the plane’s ownership, these people said.

 

Trump initially said it was Qatar that reached out and offered him the luxury jet free of charge. In fact, it was the Trump administration that first approached Qatar this winter about acquiring the plane through a sale after the president made clear to aides that he was upset about delays of two Boeing jets purchased during his first term for $3.9 billion, officials said. Discussion about the sale later evolved into Qatar agreeing to provide the plane as a gift, a development reported previously by CNN and the New York Times.

[Parsad]

Just now, cubsfan said:

 

Oh, that's funny - 11 years later, long before Trump.

 

Promises, promises.  Better late than never!

 

Hey, I didn't vote for Trudeau.  But after Dubya and Bama dealt with Iraq and Afghanistan, the world had a fair amount of peace for those 11 years.  Thus the slackline attitude towards military spending by many countries.  Cheers!

[Castanza]

Don't have much to add and I'm not sure anyone can add anything with confidence of being correct on outcomes. It's been easier to just ignore all this macro political bullshit and get on with life. Made a bunch of money in the process (so far)....But when discussing Canada and their military efforts we should differentiate between service members and NATO spending. Canada was what the second largest force alongside the US in the Middle East? Maybe 3rd to the UK....either way, they were there and not just in soft support but front lines door kicking support. Being as it was just memorial day recognition is due in part. A lot of throwing the baby out with the bathwater going on these days. 

[Gregmal]

I love the TACO term. It’s superb and a glorious self own, because so many of those now endorsing it were the loudest moaners about how unfair Liberation Day was and how Trump was going to ruin the world and disrupt world order. They fell for it dearly and now they of course “knew” he wasn’t serious. 
 

Hint for next time chumps…he did this shit his entire career and entire first term and it’s nothing new, just drop the derangement shaded sunglasses. He always starts at the top of Everest on the sensationalism and then settles for a 10 ft hill. But yea, you sure got him LOL

Edited May 29, 2025 by Gregmal

[cubsfan]

20 minutes ago, Gregmal said:

I love the TACO term. It’s superb and a glorious self own, because so many of those now endorsing it were the loudest moaners about how unfair Liberation Day was and how Trump was going to ruin the world and disrupt world order. They fell for it dearly and now they of course “knew” he wasn’t serious. 
 

Hint for next time chumps…he did this shit his entire career and entire first term and it’s nothing new, just drop the derangement shaded sunglasses. He always starts at the top of Everest on the sensationalism and then settles for a 10 ft hill. But yea, you sure got him LOL

 

LOL,,, Art of the Deal... try not to lose your shit in the meantime.

 

And, NO - we don't want any part of Canada in the USA - 51st state? Another California?

 

Joke's on you!

[DooDiligence]

43 minutes ago, Hektor said:

And the plane?

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/05/28/trump-qatar-air-force-one/
 

Trump’s Air Force One deal with Qatar not final, despite U.S. claims

The delay reflects lingering concerns about legal liabilities stemming from a White House maneuver to transform what was originally a sale between two countries into a “gift.”

 

Despite claims by the Defense Department to the contrary, legal teams representing the U.S. and Qatari governments have not finalized an agreement for transferring the luxury Boeing 747-8 jetliner that President Donald Trump wants for Air Force One amid outstanding requests by Qatar for Washington to clarify the transaction’s terms, said officials familiar with the matter.

 

Qatar is insisting that a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Doha specify that the aircraft’s transfer was initiated by the Trump administration and that Qatar is not responsible for any future transfers of the plane’s ownership, these people said.

 

Trump initially said it was Qatar that reached out and offered him the luxury jet free of charge. In fact, it was the Trump administration that first approached Qatar this winter about acquiring the plane through a sale after the president made clear to aides that he was upset about delays of two Boeing jets purchased during his first term for $3.9 billion, officials said. Discussion about the sale later evolved into Qatar agreeing to provide the plane as a gift, a development reported previously by CNN and the New York Times.

 

LOL, he still doesn't understand memorandums of understanding.

[Xerxes]

6 hours ago, cubsfan said:

 

Except Canada refuses to spend any money on their military and NATO.  That's why Canada is in this pickle.  Damn that's embarrassing. 

How much does US spends on military that actually accrues to its European NATO obligations, …. net of pacific and Middle East. 
 

Sounds like US has been free riding the whole time, double counting its military spend in pacific and elsewhere as NATO contribution.  

[Xerxes]

5 hours ago, cwericb said:

 

Think you forgot one other country. Actually only one country has threatened to take over Canada.

All three countries - PRC, Russia and U.S. are a threat to Canada’ sovereignty. And in different ways. 
 

Not every threat is about annexation. 

[cubsfan]

13 minutes ago, Xerxes said:

How much does US spends on military that actually accrues to its European NATO obligations, …. net of pacific and Middle East. 
 

Sounds like US has been free riding the whole time, double counting its military spend in pacific and elsewhere as NATO contribution.  

 

We're happy to battle the Houthis and reclaim the Red Sea for you, while you sit at home.

[Spekulatius]

I just got a quote today for spare parts at work:

35% tariff surcharge

15% tariff surcharge /admin fee.

 

I asked how they came about these surcharges? This is from an US subsidy of an European company. I don’t think these parts come from Europe though.

 

I suspect at least the 15% tariff surcharge/  admin fee is pure profit.

[Spekulatius]

42 minutes ago, Xerxes said:

How much does US spends on military that actually accrues to its European NATO obligations, …. net of pacific and Middle East. 
 

Sounds like US has been free riding the whole time, double counting its military spend in pacific and elsewhere as NATO contribution.  

Yes, actually US NATO spent is probably less than 2% of GDP.

[Xerxes]

I think this is a great interview with US Ambassador to Canada. Seems like a good guy. 

 

it is all about delivery. He does it well. 

 

 

[Xerxes]

45 minutes ago, cubsfan said:

 

We're happy to battle the Houthis and reclaim the Red Sea for you, while you sit at home.

I get home late everyday, battling the traffic and reclaiming my energy that is sapped during the day.
 

That is enough battling and reclaiming for me. 

[Marco Van Basten]

30 minutes ago, Spekulatius said:

I just got a quote today for spare parts at work:

35% tariff surcharge

15% tariff surcharge /admin fee.

 

I asked how they came about these surcharges? This is from an US subsidy of an European company. I don’t think these parts come from Europe though.

 

I suspect at least the 15% tariff surcharge/  admin fee is pure profit.

I think most of it if not all is pure profit.  Here are a couple of anecdotes: So a friend went to a dealership to buy a new car.  She was told that this car is now 20% more expensive because of tariffs.  She said where is it assembled?  She was told Japan, yet on the sticker it says NJ.  She told the salesman, this car is not subject to tariffs because it is assembled in NJ.  The guy mumbled something and just disappeared...  It reminds me of barbershops on UWS raising price in 2020 from $20 per haircut to $30, and justified it due to inflation... And then being surprised that people started getting haircuts less often...

[Parsad]

2 hours ago, Castanza said:

Don't have much to add and I'm not sure anyone can add anything with confidence of being correct on outcomes. It's been easier to just ignore all this macro political bullshit and get on with life. Made a bunch of money in the process (so far)....But when discussing Canada and their military efforts we should differentiate between service members and NATO spending. Canada was what the second largest force alongside the US in the Middle East? Maybe 3rd to the UK....either way, they were there and not just in soft support but front lines door kicking support. Being as it was just memorial day recognition is due in part. A lot of throwing the baby out with the bathwater going on these days. 

 

+1!  Cheers!

[Parsad]

1 hour ago, Xerxes said:

How much does US spends on military that actually accrues to its European NATO obligations, …. net of pacific and Middle East. 
 

Sounds like US has been free riding the whole time, double counting its military spend in pacific and elsewhere as NATO contribution.  

 

Hmmm...not going to go down that road.  Without a doubt, the U.S. has more than paid for its obligations, including UN, global research funding, global aid, etc.  For all the complaints about Trump, the U.S.' previous administrations and even Trump in his first term, maintained U.S. obligations and responsibilities.  That's a hill no one should climb and question.  Look at China now taking up $500M in obligations for WHO after Trump pulled out.  Yes, much of the U.S. support was based on its expansionary obligations, but just as much wasn't.  So credit where credit is due!  Cheers!

[Red Lion]

2 hours ago, cubsfan said:

 

LOL,,, Art of the Deal... try not to lose your shit in the meantime.

 

And, NO - we don't want any part of Canada in the USA - 51st state? Another California?

 

Joke's on you!

All along the strategy should have been to get Canada to take California as an 11th province. 

[DooDiligence]

16 minutes ago, Red Lion said:

All along the strategy should have been to get Canada to take California as an 11th province. 

 

LOLZERS

 

https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/is-california-a-donor-state-heres-how-much-it-pays-to-the-feds-vs-what-it-gets-back/

 

https://rockinst.org/issue-areas/fiscal-analysis/balance-of-payments-portal/

 

Note: the orange ones give more than they get. Think of it as the exact opposite of the glorious leader.

[Red Lion]

17 minutes ago, DooDiligence said:

 

LOLZERS

 

https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/is-california-a-donor-state-heres-how-much-it-pays-to-the-feds-vs-what-it-gets-back/

 

https://rockinst.org/issue-areas/fiscal-analysis/balance-of-payments-portal/

 

Note: the orange ones give more than they get. Think of it as the exact opposite of the glorious leader.

Oh I get it, in fact I pay a hell of a lot of taxes to the federal and state and local California governments myself. 
 

I feel like for me I’d still pay a bunch of taxes, but at least get health insurance and ready access to ketchup chips. 

[Xerxes]

8 hours ago, Parsad said:

 

Hmmm...not going to go down that road.  Without a doubt, the U.S. has more than paid for its obligations, including UN, global research funding, global aid, etc.  For all the complaints about Trump, the U.S.' previous administrations and even Trump in his first term, maintained U.S. obligations and responsibilities.  That's a hill no one should climb and question.  Look at China now taking up $500M in obligations for WHO after Trump pulled out.  Yes, much of the U.S. support was based on its expansionary obligations, but just as much wasn't.  So credit where credit is due!  Cheers!

not a good answer. 
 

The sandbox is around NATO spending, for the simple fact that the argument made by Washington is specifically around NATO spending. 
 

Nothing more. Nothing less. 
 

The complain is Canada and everybody else falls short. Correct.

 

But look at amazing us, we are meeting our obligation. 
 

Do they really or not ?

It is as simple as that. 

[cubsfan]

9 hours ago, Red Lion said:

All along the strategy should have been to get Canada to take California as an 11th province. 

 

LOL - Please, take 'em!