Donald Trump the Megathread part II - Mod Warning added to OP 10/1/26

hmm, not the most auspicious name for a guy into odd sci-fi-style projects to choose

Are tariffs definitely in now?

“..because I suspect there is no real plan to what he's doing.”

I hope so- because that ensures a ton of unintended consequences, most of which will benefit countries other than the USA . From new trade deals to sourcing materials elsewhere to supporting homegrown etc etc- USA could be in for a mighty shock yet

Am coming to conclusion it is mostly just aggression and hostility from the US IMO. Particularly from some of the more evil people clustered around Trump. I don't think they just want minor changes in a limited arena like the goods trade balance, or military spending.

On the latter, at this stage the NATO guarantee that the US would step up and defend European countries attacked by Russia or anyone else is looking very unreliable. Maybe they would, but like Ukraine perhaps you'd be expected to beg on bended knee and effectively sell off your country & people to obtain help, or they may not help at all if they don't like your government of the day (too "lefty").

With Canada Trump let that cat out of the bag early with that "51st state" stuff, which I initially thought was a nasty joke of sorts and dig at Trudeau. However, it has persisted and has been echoed by several others in the admin. around Trump since I think.

So the trade war on Canada is not an opening position or a way to pressure to negotiate with Canada on something the US wants, it is intended to squeeze and weaken the Canadian economy over time and eventually bring Canada under more direct political control.

I think it is same thing with the EU at base, intent will be to weaken it with economic warfare and eventually break it up and bring the countries that make it up far more under direct US politcal control e.g. bringing some MAGA "mini mes" that will kowtow to the US/Trump to power etc.

Yes it is very hard to keep up and I am not following every move of the Trump admin. too obsessively (it is not good for ones' health).

I thought some of them had been instituted on certain goods e.g. on metals but should check again.

Anyway, that was my thought on what is going on but it's still an open question whether Trump admin. will be committed enough to this course to follow through in full, because while they might be able to harm others more if they wage economic war, it certainly won't be painless for the US.

We're not thinking like Americans, or certainly a large cohort of Americans. Boasts, threats, braggadocio, insults, mockery, and simplistic solutions to complex problems have a great appeal to a population brought up on reality shows, Jerry Sprnger, wrestling, banger racing and MMA. Subtlety and deep thinking isn't their forte.

Trump hasn't revealed his plan yet, we may get some leaks later today but will most likely have to wait until tomorrow. 3pm tomorrow according to Bessent.

Consider how long it takes to plan, build, staff and fully ramp up to production of a new factory in any industry, then think about how much trickier medical stuff is, these companies still need to make their drugs regardless of if they do look to move production back to the US. That long timrframe of that means they may just try to weather the next 4 years or potentially even just 2 years and hope the midterms bring a reprieve. Also the immediate price increases are going to make him extremely unpopular especially with there being no scope to immediately relieve those price increases due to the long time to move and start full production of "X" product so these tariffs might not even last that long if he sees strong negative reactions from his base.

Everyone seems to be stunned that a politician would actually do Something to benefit the working class and isn't bought out by the billionaires. What a preposterous idea. There defence is so weak now as the middle class has been hollowed out over years as the Government only seems to serve investors and business. But nobody blame the corporations.

He's pretty clearly not for the working class if he's fired numerous civil servants on a whim. He's got a propaganda minister in the form of a billionaire. He's about to trigger a global recession that will hit the working class more than any group.… It's outlandish to claim he's working for the working class.

God, I would nearly be tempted to go protesting at his golf course in Clare.

On that last point im fairly sure I watched something recently that explained how currently there is no real way to implement these tariffs at the level that would be required because they simply dont have the staff or systems in place to deal with such a massive increase across such a broad range of industries at the flick of a switch.