The trade and economy mega-thread (1 Viewer)

[superchuck500]

Is there a trade deal with China? Is it really a deal or just a pull-back to status quo ante? Is Trump advancing US interests in this well-executed trade battle plan or was this poorly conceived from the start . . . and harmful?

I think the jury's still out, but I haven't seen that the Chinese are offering much in compromise - and it's not even clear if there's going to be an agreement. But it's clear they are working on something and I'm sure Trump will sell it as the greatest trade deal ever. The proof will be in the details.

 

[UriUT]

The cost of ground beef has hit a record high as Americans face ever-soaring grocery bills.

The dinner table staple jumped in price by around 12 percent from the previous year, shooting up from $5.47 in June 2024 to $6.12 in June 2025, according to federal government data released this month. The news is another blow for President Donald Trump’s promise to bring grocery prices down.

Shrinking herds, drought conditions and the rise of imported beef have all been blamed for the cost hike…….

Where’s the relief? Ground beef prices hit record-high of $6.12 per pound

President Trump has pledged to lower grocery prices, but beef

www.independent.co.uk

Who could ve seen this coming indeed.

 

[MT15]

I found this TikTok very informative. I will not be patronizing Wendy’s (i do like their iced tea) any longer. But the important info is about the myth that farmers cannot afford to pay farm workers a living wage.

 

[bird]

The cost of ground beef has hit a record high as Americans face ever-soaring grocery bills.

The dinner table staple jumped in price by around 12 percent from the previous year, shooting up from $5.47 in June 2024 to $6.12 in June 2025, according to federal government data released this month. The news is another blow for President Donald Trump’s promise to bring grocery prices down.

Shrinking herds, drought conditions and the rise of imported beef have all been blamed for the cost hike…….

Where’s the relief? Ground beef prices hit record-high of $6.12 per pound

President Trump has pledged to lower grocery prices, but beef

www.independent.co.uk

C’mon, give him a break. He said it was hard to do. And he has other important things to deal with like making the Commanders and Guardians change their names.

 

[Optimus Prime]

GM says second-quarter core profits fell 32% due to Trump’s tariffs

US automaker says it lost $1.1bn in operating income in last quarter and it expects tariff impact to worsen in the third one

www.theguardian.com

 

[bird]

GM says second-quarter core profits fell 32% due to Trump’s tariffs

US automaker says it lost $1.1bn in operating income in last quarter and it expects tariff impact to worsen in the third one

www.theguardian.com

Unsurprising.

That being said they didn’t “lose $1.1 billion” they simply did not generate as much operating income.

 

[Dragon]

C’mon, give him a break. He said it was hard to do. And he has other important things to deal with like making the Commanders and Guardians change their names.

Ground beef has gone up considerably in Europe which also affect the export price. This is mainly due to an environmental tax which has hit most of Europes farms- especially the big indoor production facilities and to a lesser degree free ranging cattle.

 

[efil4]

Ground beef has gone up considerably in Europe which also affect the export price. This is mainly due to an environmental tax which has hit most of Europes farms- especially the big indoor production facilities and to a lesser degree free ranging cattle.

We were just in Hawai'i earlier in the month.

it was $13-14 PER POUND for 90/10 Ground Beef. I dont know if that is the "normal" cost on the island, but it caught my attention.

I get that same ground beef here at Rouses or Winn Dixie for $5-6 PER POUND.

 

[Optimus Prime]

We were just in Hawai'i earlier in the month.

it was $13-14 PER POUND for 90/10 Ground Beef. I dont know if that is the "normal" cost on the island, but it caught my attention.

I get that same ground beef here at Rouses or Winn Dixie for $5-6 PER POUND.

I've never been myself but I know everything on Hawaii is super expensive

 

[bird]

I've never been myself but I know everything on Hawaii is super expensive

Yup. Considering that so much is shipped in that is unsurprising. Of course, the shippers and manufacturers know they have an advantage so they charge accordingly.

 

[efil4]

 

[efil4]

amazing.

 

[efil4]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/23/trump-announces-massive-trade-deal-with-japan-with-15percent-tariffs.html

 

[MT15]

“The president said Japan would invest “at my direction” $550 billion into the U.S. and would “open” its economy to American autos and rice. The 15% tax on imported Japanese goods is a meaningful drop from the 25% rate that Trump, in a recent letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said would be levied starting Aug. 1.”

It’s also actually a “framework” does that mean this hasn’t actually been signed like the one with Vietnam still hasn’t?

 

[Sendai]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/23/trump-announces-massive-trade-deal-with-japan-with-15percent-tariffs.html

Japan needs guaranteed supplies of LNG long term.

 

[bird]

“The president said Japan would invest “at my direction” $550 billion into the U.S. and would “open” its economy to American autos and rice. The 15% tax on imported Japanese goods is a meaningful drop from the 25% rate that Trump, in a recent letter to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, said would be levied starting Aug. 1.”

It’s also actually a “framework” does that mean this hasn’t actually been signed like the one with Vietnam still hasn’t?

I call bullschlitz…again.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Canada kicks American booze as US alcohol sales plunge by 66% amid tariff war

This month, Trump threatened a 35 percent levy on the United States’ northern neighbor

www.independent.co.uk

 

[MT15]

I call bullschlitz…again.

The worst and most corrupt part is that he says Japan will invest $550B in the US “at his discretion”. This is just an explicitly corrupt move. This is Russian-type oligarchy.

Conservatives, liberals, libertarians - hell, everyone should be up in arms about this.

 

[efil4]

The worst and most corrupt part is that he says Japan will invest $550B in the US “at his discretion”. This is just an explicitly corrupt move. This is Russian-type oligarchy.

Conservatives, liberals, libertarians - hell, everyone should be up in arms about this.

Its a lie.

Thats why no one is upset.

Just as is the 550B figure.