trump has either been lying about what his tariffs will do to the economy, or he himself doesn't understand what they will do

[HDGristle]

Mexican president wrote a letter to Trump.

Discussed forbidden topics, but is a good read. Suggest you check it out.

[tommy156]

Originally Posted by Salty Again

Let's see what happens with the prices and tariffs.

#### Salty

Basic economics makes it clear that a tariff is a tax, and a tax is a tariff.

We get most of our foreign oil (over 4 million barrels per day), and nearly all of our imported lumber, from Canada. We get ⅔ of all our tomatoes from Mexico, as well as a shit ton of avocados, tequila, coffee, etc.

The prices of everything listed above will be increasing. That's how tariffs work. There is no realistic scenario where the prices of these things will be coming down any time soon - and stop kidding yourselves, trump is a shitty negotiator.

He's either lying about what his tariffs will do, or he himself doesn't understand what they will do. And, in case it wasn't painfully obvious by now, he doesn't care about what they will do, either.

[Jacuzzme]

Originally Posted by tommy156

Basic economics makes it clear that a tariff is a tax, and a tax is a tariff.

That’s true, other than them being completely different.

[Salty Again]

Originally Posted by tommy156

Basic economics makes it clear that a tariff is a tax, and a tax is a tariff.

We get most of our foreign oil (over 4 million barrels per day), and nearly all of our imported lumber, from Canada. We get ⅔ of all our tomatoes from Mexico, as well as a shit ton of avocados, tequila, coffee, etc.

... Which country - is it Canada or Mexico - that produces
the Sour Grapes that you seem to fancy so? ...


... Instead of all yer misguided projection, wouldn't it
be better to Wait and See just what results the tariffs
actually bring, and IF they're even implemented?

Just a thought...

#### Salty

[HDGristle]

How far do you want us to wait for the ship to sink before we put the women and children on the lifeboats?

Wait and see sounds kinda soi boi woke

[txdot-guy]

Originally Posted by lustylad

2. How do tariffs "explode the debt"?

Tariffs increase the price of the product that businesses and consumers are importing. Basically it’s a tax. This tax will incentivize companies to move their manufacturing or businesses to a location where the tariff is lower or nonexistent. But in the short run consumers will pay higher prices for the imported goods.

Higher prices tend to aggravate inflation. Inflation is hindered by increasing the federal funds rate. The higher the interest rate the more it costs the government to borrow money. The more people suffer the more government is needed to assist both citizens and businesses. Which raises government spending. The higher inflation the higher the Social Security payout. etc etc

I.E. tariffs raise the federal debt. “explode” might be a little hyperbolic though.

[Salty Again]

Well BLIMEY! ... Wouldja look at that! ... The new Mexico President
has stated that she'll stop the illegals from passing thru her
country right into America. ... ...

... See? ... Those Trump tariff threats are ALREADY working.
Thanks to President Trump.

#### Salty

[HDGristle]

She was already working that front. Don't be daft.

[Jacuzzme]

Trump uses tariffs as a foreign policy cudgel, effectively.

[HDGristle]

No, he doesn't. If you wanted to take the smart take you would say he uses the threat of tariffs effectively.

You'd still be wrong, tho.

The tariffs he did implement were targeted, did double the amount of overall tariff collections (paid for by the American people) and led to a complex series of tariff avoidance actions and little-to-no domestic improvements.

He also exacerbated relations with Canada and Mexico right after holding their feet to the fire for very modest improvements to NAFTA in the USMCA.

We were left weaker on the world stage, not stronger. And congressional Cons tempered his bullshit by making him back off of his dumbest tariff threats.

Didn't stop him from pretending he got wins or massively overflowing modest positive outcomes. The same way he just tried to do with the Mexican president who effectively gave him nothing but he's gonna try to gold plate nothing and sell it to schmucks with his name on it.

There was no commitment reported for anything more than she's doing for Biden. Which we know he's gonna toss his name on.

And you'll believe him when he's pissing in the wind, you're downwind, and he's telling you it's just raining. Kinda like when he said tariffs are paid by foreign countries and that Mexico would pay for the wall.

[tommy156]

Originally Posted by Jacuzzme

That’s true, other than them being completely different.

Wrong. A tariff is a tax. Fact.

The phrase "tariffs are taxes" is in the literal goddamn textbook definition: https://taxfoundation.org/taxedu/glo...n%20exporters.

[tommy156]

Originally Posted by Jacuzzme

Trump uses tariffs as a foreign policy cudgel, effectively.

LOL!!!! Wow.

Guess what? A 25% tariff on our 3 largest trading partners can not possibly lower prices for consumers. Anyone with even a tangential understanding of economics knows this.

But, as this thread has proven repeatedly, trump has no understanding of what his tariffs will do - or he's been lying about it.

So, what will your excuse be when the prices on produce, oil, lumber, coffee, tequila, etc inevitably go up? Because they will be soon.

Don't worry, you still have time to make up some absolute nonsense. Luckily, the new tariffs won't take effect until the moron who doesn't understand what they do takes office. But, now is probably a good time to start inventing a new reality.