The trade and economy mega-thread (5 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.

 

[bird]

One of my customers who does signs told me the sign supply company can't guarantee prices more than 10 days and even then it may change.

Companies that I have worked for in the past have dealt with raw material issues. They did the same things with price quotes. Sometimes they had multiple price increases in a year.

The Orange Orangutan doesn’t get that businesses want calmness and certainty to maximize long term profits.

 

[efil4]

The Orange Orangutan doesn’t get that businesses want calmness and certainty to maximize long term profits.

yes he does- he doesnt care. About them or anyone else.

he is singularly focused on implementing his ideas and his ideas only. Input from others only works when its "bending the knee to him".

You must remember, Trump is 100% transactional in every aspect of his life ( including marriage ). If there is no return benefit for him personally, he simply doesnt care about the ramifications of actions. He thinks he can ignore or fight off any negative consequences.

 

[SFIDC3]

I am glad Bezos pulls his head out of his azz on occasion.

And Karoline Leavitt is a waster of air, water and food.

Of course, when it begins to affect their bottom line, about 99% of billionaires will unattach their heads from their arses.....because the only thing that matters to them is $$$$$$

Bezos would sell his mother's soul if he thought he would profit.....

 

[longtime lurker]

Aaaaand Jeff Bezos is now back on the "poop" list of Trump.

Now if Amazon follows through with this…it should begin to open the eyes of those who have their head in the sand. Hopefully it catches on and the majority of businesses do the same.

Amazon listing tariff prices is a 'hostile and political act,' White House says

President Donald Trump's White House slammed Amazon's plans to list the prices of Trump's tariffs next to products it sells online.

www.usatoday.com

 

[efil4]

Now if Amazon follows through with this…it should begin to open the eyes of those who have their head in the sand. Hopefully it catches on and the majority of businesses do the same.

Amazon listing tariff prices is a 'hostile and political act,' White House says

President Donald Trump's White House slammed Amazon's plans to list the prices of Trump's tariffs next to products it sells online.

www.usatoday.com

Temu announced their "import charge line item" yesterday on website

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/28/temu-adds-import-charges-after-trump-tariffs.html

 

[efil4]

Now if Amazon follows through with this…it should begin to open the eyes of those who have their head in the sand. Hopefully it catches on and the majority of businesses do the same.

Amazon listing tariff prices is a 'hostile and political act,' White House says

President Donald Trump's White House slammed Amazon's plans to list the prices of Trump's tariffs next to products it sells online.

www.usatoday.com

and just like that- Jeff Bezos bent the knee.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/amazon-considers-displaying-tariff-surcharge-on-low-cost-haul-products.html

 

[wardorican]

Amazon stated its intent to include a display of how much of the product's price is based on tariffs - which seems like nothing more than price transparency, right?

NO, the White House "slams" the idea as a "hostile and political act". wtf

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/white-house-blasts-amazon-over-tariff-cost-report-hostile-and-political-act.html

If anything, it should help identify American made options or options with smaller tarrifs. Probably still screwed on basics, like plugs, cables, extension cords.

 

[efil4]

If anything, it should help identify American made options or options with smaller tarrifs. Probably still screwed on basics, like plugs, cables, extension cords.

nope- short lived plan- Amazon pulled the plug on the addition to website.

 

[GrandAdmiral]

and just like that- Jeff Bezos bent the knee.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/amazon-considers-displaying-tariff-surcharge-on-low-cost-haul-products.html

Bunch of p...

 

[efil4]

and just like that- Jeff Bezos bent the knee.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/29/amazon-considers-displaying-tariff-surcharge-on-low-cost-haul-products.html

"Trump personally called Bezos on Tuesday morning to express his displeasure about the initial report that spurred the heated response from the White House."

Have we ever seen anything remotely close to this in the last 50 years? A President calling a billionaire to have him completely undo a consumer protection action?

And Republicans are for LESS GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN BUSINESS LOLOL.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Companies that I have worked for in the past have dealt with raw material issues. They did the same things with price quotes. Sometimes they had multiple price increases in a year.

The Orange Orangutan doesn’t get that businesses want calmness and certainty to maximize long term profits.

but now its much worse. no one can plan anything since prices are so unstable.

 

[Booker]

So a couple of Fridays ago I cracked a piece of the plastic spoiler on my wife’s RAV4 while chipping ice off the rear window (it was thick ice).

I looked up the part last week and found it for about $350 from the Toyota parts store. The next day I looked it up again and called a local dealer that I could get it through and they told me they had one in stock, though I noticed the price was now about $375. I asked them to reserve it and made an appointment for today.

When I got to the dealership today they told me the part was about $650. I had them look it back up online, where I had previously seen it, and it was now listed at $495 - better than $650, but still way more than I was expecting.

Not sure what I’m going to ultimately pay, but it will be a lot more than what it would have been before Trump decided to blow up the economy. And it’s nothing compared to the money we’ve lost in our 401K’s and investment accounts, not to mention our 529 for our kids’s college. fork that guy and everyone who voted for him.

 

[wardorican]

I'm sure folks can estimate tarrif impacts using the price tracker websites, like camelcamelcamel. Prices are usually fluid though.

 

[efil4]

 

[longtime lurker]

https://www.business-standard.com/amp/world-news/walmart-china-shipment-resume-to-us-trade-war-trump-tariff-125042900372_1.html

 

[efil4]

https://www.business-standard.com/amp/world-news/walmart-china-shipment-resume-to-us-trade-war-trump-tariff-125042900372_1.html

Walmart couldnt wait any longer to start stocking for "back to school" in Aug/Sept. Shoot, they are probably a month or two behind.

Lets see just how much of the "tariff burden" will be placed on consumer.

 

[Booker]

So a couple of Fridays ago I cracked a piece of the plastic spoiler on my wife’s RAV4 while chipping ice off the rear window (it was thick ice).

I looked up the part last week and found it for about $350 from the Toyota parts store. The next day I looked it up again and called a local dealer that I could get it through and they told me they had one in stock, though I noticed the price was now about $375. I asked them to reserve it and made an appointment for today.

When I got to the dealership today they told me the part was about $650. I had them look it back up online, where I had previously seen it, and it was now listed at $495 - better than $650, but still way more than I was expecting.

Not sure what I’m going to ultimately pay, but it will be a lot more than what it would have been before Trump decided to blow up the economy. And it’s nothing compared to the money we’ve lost in our 401K’s and investment accounts, not to mention our 529 for our kids’s college. fork that guy and everyone who voted for him.

So they sold the part for the $495 it's currently listed at, but while I was waiting I did some math and figured out exactly how much the price changed in the last week and half. It was originally about $338, then got a 10% increase to $371 (the difference between the Sunday listing for the previous week price that I initially found and the Monday listing of the new price the next day when I made the appointment). Then from last week to this week it increased another 33% to the $495. Ridiculous.

 

[coldseat]

So they sold the part for the $495 it's currently listed at, but while I was waiting I did some math and figured out exactly how much the price changed in the last week and half. It was originally about $338, then got a 10% increase to $371 (the difference between the Sunday listing for the previous week price that I initially found and the Monday listing of the new price the next day when I made the appointment). Then from last week to this week it increased another 33% to the $495. Ridiculous.

They already had the part stock? Or do they need to order it?

If they already have the part in stock, that sounds like just straight price gouging.