Donald Trump the Megathread part II

Obviously, the decision by Zuck et al to cosy up to Trump has to be part of a charm offensive with the aim of dissuading Trump from signing off on harsh policies towards their respective business empires. And Trump isn't exactly known for his great resistance to being plámásed.

If I understand this correctly, this amounts to a tax on US citizens who will just end up paying a higher price on the goods coming in from these countries unless there a domestic industry in the US who can supplant the supply at a lower cost.

The US treasury might increase, but it'll be the people paying into it. Even if Trump were to replace income tax with this system would it save ordinary citizens any money, net?

Clearly Meta aren’t relying on the workforce for that amount of revenue. They do it for a reason, and as a publicly traded company, they do it to maximise profits for their investors and board.

You said you know all what you’re talking about, so tell us then what you think will happen, or do you just want to stick with scaremongering a bit? Trump has no say over the business of Meta, and even Zuck can’t make changes en mass like that due to having a board to answer to. Imagine him telling them “let’s do something about Dublin and the profits we make, Trump isn’t happy that we are making so much money so let’s make changes”. Pretty sure that’s called bad business in any language.

It’ll continue as long as it benefits them, not because Trump tells him to.

It's also worth noting that with the amount of unilateral actions Trump is taking, or attempting to take, in addition to the purging of the US federal government, he has been a dictator for more than one day. Almost 12, in fact, at time of writing.

The social media posts from magats saying they regret their vote already are highly amusing. It's going to be a long 4 years for them 🤣

Canada's economy will be crushed. These are not equals we are talking about. The tariffs announced are expected to put the country in to recession and cost between 500,000 and 1 million jobs in the medium term.

My view is they should not retaliate to avoid more damage but rather see if they can come to some arrangement on Trump's complaints.

Trudeau to speak shortly

https://www.youtube.com/live/92rutFiIWAM?si=ni2js3IbfAj2u6VI

"Beta guy", well it's good to see the Andrew Tate school of political analyses are alive and well on the site....

And we should accommodate them. Canada should cosy up to the EU, send their wood and oil over here. Europe will provide cars and tech. Maybe we cut a deal with Mexico too and America can make and buy all their own stuff just like the self appointed demigod wants.

Trump is only strong when he's tweeting on his phone. Has he ever been in a fight?

If he has, it's not been for a looooong time. He didn't want to get off his plane in California when he realised Gavin Newsome had arrived unnaounced, and when he did finally face Newsome, he couldn't say to his face what he's happy to say at a distance.

Wouldn't count on it. They swallow every lie Trump tells. He'd just say it was leftists' fault and they'd be satisfied.

The premier of BC, David Eby, has ordered al BC liquor stores to remove American liquor from red states, so whisky and bourbon. He has also issued government and Crown agencies to cease buying American products and instead buy more Canadian products.

His quote is poetry: “We won’t back down or be bullied into becoming another state,” said Premier Eby. “Our province is unified and resolute. We'll never stop standing up for B.C. and Canada.”

What is Canada going to do when Trump ups the tariffs with his retaliation clause to 50% or 75%?

Claiming Canadian business can survive that kind of tit for tat is patently ridiculous and will lead to a massive recession and huge job losses.

Canada's only logical choice is to be the adult in the room. Yes it means taking it on the chin but that's ultimately in Canada's interests here.

Chest beating is not a good policy option in a predicament they can't win.

People seem to be forgetting the obvious here, global trade only works because of the United States running a huge deficit. They should all be thankful for America funding them while it drowns in debt. They are stuck with the US and it is essential for other countries to run huge surpluses.These countries fighting back will just make their situation way worse. There is no replacement for the United States and they know it.