The trade and economy mega-thread (9 Viewers)

[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.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Donald Trump’s sweeping international tariffsmay raise the price of Bibles - including the president’s branded version of the holy text.

almost feel sorry for them, but they can just buy trump bibles and be happy about it.

 

[zztop]

I have a theory, which might (probably is) be dumb. Many of his supporters don't own stocks, so when the market crashes it excites them and they cheer, because in their mind it is making the 'elite' suffer.

^ my attempt to try to understand the psychology of a MAGA supporter

 

[Neworleansfan]

I have a theory, which might (probably is) be dumb. Many of his supporters don't own stocks, so when the market crashes it excites them and they cheer, because in their mind it is making the 'elite' suffer.

^ my attempt to try to understand the psychology of a MAGA supporter

The market is forward looking so it is predicting that the economy is in for a bumpy ride due to this administration policies. High inflation, slowing economy, and high unemployment, basically a period of stagflation is my guess. Hope the MAGAs are ready because we are all in it.

 

[Optimus Prime]

One f bomb

 

[J-DONK]

This has crossed my mind. Impose hardship. Then have each industry come to him so that he would create exceptions. Very much like what he's doing to the law community.

This feels like a prime example of trying to find a smart strategy from a dumb person.

Trump ran on tariffs. He is talked about tariffs in this same manner for 40 years. He is simply an idiot who doesn't understand free trade, or economics. In his mind, someone is winning, and losing based on trade deficits.

He can not understand that America might run a huge trade deficit with a raw inputs provider like Canada. America then turns those raw goods into finished products, and runs surpluses with 4 other countries.

That's way to complicated for the crayon eater.

 

[Optimus Prime]

Trump declares tariffs are going very well despite $3 trillion Wall Street rout: Live

President Trump’s comments come amid U.S. markets suffering their steepest declines since 2020

www.independent.co.uk

 

[efil4]

Bloodbath v2 coming today. Futures pointing to same as yesterday.

No fear, Trump will address from his golf cart.

 

[UriUT]

This feels like a prime example of trying to find a smart strategy from a dumb person.

Trump ran on tariffs. He is talked about tariffs in this same manner for 40 years. He is simply an idiot who doesn't understand free trade, or economics. In his mind, someone is winning, and losing based on trade deficits.

He can not understand that America might run a huge trade deficit with a raw inputs provider like Canada. America then turns those raw goods into finished products, and runs surpluses with 4 other countries.

That's way to complicated for the crayon eater.

I agree. Its very unlikely that he's capable of any intelligent thought. However, from what we see in the law and higher education community, the shake down is real. Yale is now the latest after columbia. Mob bosses aren't intelligent either. Yet they can shake down an entire community through fear.

I hold that it's a possibility, small as it may be. Once he gives exceptions, we ll know. And I'm not talking about the farm subsidies that farmers are getting again. An exception for bezo, as an example.

 

[faceman]

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/03/stock-market-today-live-updates.html

on a positive note one of my friends who is a staunch Trump supporter is beginning to have doubts.

 

[efil4]

China has responded

in kind.

 

[superchuck500]

So this is demonstrably false - domestic goods do become more expense. I can’t believe how stupid these people are.

 

[faceman]

 

[bird]

So this is demonstrably false - domestic goods do become more expense. I can’t believe how stupid these people are.

With cars hit by tariffs we can look for used cars to go up in price.

 

[superchuck500]

 

[superchuck500]

With cars hit by tariffs we can look for used cars to go up in price.

Definitely

 

[efil4]

when does the conversation turn from "idiocy" to "planned"?

I cannot think that the entire Economic staff of the Admin - guys who have done this stuff for decades ( incl Baghdad Bob Lutnick ) have no idea how this works. Just cant. They have studied this for years, been in the financial industry for years...and we are supposed to believe that they simply dont know?

 

[RobF]

Let's just check in with the FT to see what people think of all this:



"These are the worst ratings for any US government’s economic policy since records began." "Trump has had the same impact on economic uncertainty as a global pandemic."

Going great!

This would be Liz Truss levels of "absolutely not, you're gone" in any system operating sanely.

 

[efil4]

China has responded

in kind.

safe to say, based on this tweet, that we are now in a trade standoff with China.

Your move Trump.