Wasn’t there something about the Epstein files we were all thinking about just before Trump spouted this new distraction?
Trust me, we’re all still thinking about it. This is a failed attempt to deflect
Now i’m scarred … No, wait! I’m not! Raise them 40% tariffs just for sending this letter. Not in August, not in September but now. Today. It’s the only thing the bully understands.
Fuck it. Send a letter back saying that you’re not going to have this pointless dick waving contest. You’re stopping all trade with the US and nationalizing US commercial and military assets in the EU. Effective tomorrow unless the US come back to the negotiating table with a zero tariff policy already signed and ready to go.
I’m not great on economics but the concept of a tariff is that the entity importing something has to pay an extra levy in order to place in a market a given product.
This follows that an american importer of any trade goods of european origin will have to pay an extra thirty cents for each dollar such goods cost.
That extra cost will then be passed along the commercial chain, down to the final client.
So, prices go up for general public.
Meanwhile, nothing is stopping the country of origin of such products to divert their business to other countries, thus maintaining their normal activities.
Am I wrong or this whole thing is disastrous for the USA?
You’re right in how it works, except when you say nothing is stopping a country to sell elsewhere, demand/supply/market conditions do. They are probably selling to other countries as much as they can anyway, and still sell to the US as well. So when they can’t sell to the US, it won’t be easy for those companies to find other customers to take this volume. If they existed, they would have been sold to anyway.
Practical example.
I know this winery that usually exports nearly 95% of their production to the US. The owner spent a few decades there and made some contacts.
Last year, they had some problem with the american market and were forced to search for other venues.
They dropped their prices, opted to sell to our national market and did pretty much the same revenue they would have done exporting.
Exporting to the US is often the thirst for easy profit. Products that sell here for cents can be sold at a premium in the US, as it is the de facto luxury hungry market. Doesn’t really matter if it good; if is it expensive, it means it’s good.
Portugal mostly exports food goods to the US. I think cork, some clothing and shoes and some other items make up the basket, but in way lower quantities.
I’ve seen cheese and wine that are considered run of the mill here sold for ten times more in the US market. Which I consider theft.
This entire situation gets uglier the deeper we dig.
But maybe not at a price between 1 and 1.3 dollar.
It is indeed bad for US businesses and consumers, and therefore for US economy in general, but as US market is so big and important, it’s also bad for countries doing business with US, including in Europe, like, for example, German carmakers or French and Italian alcohol exporters.
Though that’s only true for the first few years. Once alternatives are established and trade with America is reduced it will be less and less until America will be not interesting anymore
One can only hope.
Unless Trump starts ww3 we will have a few more painful years of transition and then the new normal will be normal and the better deals will win, which won’t be with America.
We must not forget that it’s not only about trade. There’s also a military dimension, and if all US support to Ukraine ends abruptly and completely, then there’s a very real chance that Putin will win soon. That creates an entirely new security situation, where Russia may well attack EU countries next (like the Baltics, for example).
France and Italy could export to other countries easily or transform their cheap wine into properly aged wines and liqcours, with actual market value and product quality. Downsizing the industry wouldn’t be a bad idea, also.
Germany is already dwindling in their car industry. Could serve as a call to innovation an review of business practices.
OK, what shares is he and his folks buying… We should do the same. His Black mail worked last time, should work again!
I am amazed thtavit keeps working every time. At some point, the market will stop reacting to the taco blackmails
Because our politicians are corporation whores too. Or a corporation pimp going politician.
Marie Antoinette Merz is a great example… I quote: If people do not have enough money when retired, they should buy shares…
What a load of cringe.
And that second to last sentence is just the cherry on top of the pile of shit. Everybody is already severely disappointed.
By the way: Does anyoen know if it’s even appropriate to call Von der Leyen “Her Excellency”? It sounds pretty weird to me.
Formal addressment.
It is an archaic way to address “officials” in public office, which ends up sounding as a preservation of royal/nobility occupation of positions, regardless living in a democratic regime.
It is argued as being a way to show respect and maintain dignity of institutions.
If want to write a letter to my municipal office, there is a template to be followed which starts with “To his/her Excelency, The President of the Municipality, Mr./Mrs. Dr. XXXXXXX”. This is loosely translated, obvioulsy.
Democracy yet not equality nor accountability.
Take a look at the beginning of the constitution of the EU, that looks wild
“…your Country” retard
Calling Ursula her “excellency” sounds so weird to me, but apparently that’s correct for foreign officials?? Would never have expected that.
I would have thought it would be “her stopsignness” or “her smsremoveress”.
" You will never be disappointed with the United States of America". I can’t decide if this is a failed promise or a failed instruction or a failed other.
Jesus fuck thats a poorly written letter. The idea behind it is worse though
Hey! That’s in about two weeks!
I’ll believe it when I see it lol. Trump tariff threats just sound like whining at this point because he doesn’t have the balls to actually follow through.
But I was told here Ratte debasing himself was a master play to get the orange moron off our backs. What happened??
Right when I decide to buy a Fairphone 6, welp, guess I’m keeping my current phone till the the tariffs drop.
Just so you know you pay the tariff rate that was effective when the item was shipped, so if it is in transit before August 1st you would pay the current tariff rate
It is released on August 1st for US market, it would be shipping then.
Ohhhh, gotcha
Ah yes my favorite Country, the European Union.
This “tariff” is just a distraction from the Epstein files scandal, nothing more. It’s just noise, not news.
From the economic point of view the EU acts very much like a single country. Even the EEA can be seen as single entity if looking from the perspective of an American trade negotiator.
Weeeeeelllll it basically is from the outside.
Trump is a eurofederalist icon now I guess 💅
European confederation vibes 🤩
You will never be disappointed with The United States of America.
Is the whole thing satire?
He is saying that if the EU wants to do a trade war the USA will deliver.
So… “I’m totally not going to chicken out”?
And who here is innitiating the trade war?
Deliver what, tariffs??
