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

Yep all tick boxes for right wing Tories and Farage and Co.

Wonder how much of these tariffs are intentionally self inflicted to burn the us economy so the elites can buy up property, corporations and assets in general at a much cheaper price. Similar to what happened in russia after the fall of the USSR and failed capitalism shock treatment, were an exclusive group of oligarchs ended up siezing much of the wealth in the country to themselves.

Laura Loomer is back in the Trump White House as a mover and shaker. She did some "research" on the trustworthiness of some of Trump NSC members and presented the research to Trump in the Oval Office. Some of Trumps senior people, Vice President JD Vance, chief of staff Susie Wiles, national security adviser Mike Waltz and Serio Gor, the director of the Presidential Personnel Office, took part in the meeting.

After the meeting, Trump acted on Loomer's research and fired at least three of his NSC team. NSC spokesperson, Brian Hughes, declined to comment on the matter, claiming the White House does not discuss personnel matters. Presumably this meeting and the firings happened before the tariffs decisions announcement.

Alan Dukes had an Irish TImes letter in the last couple of weeks arguing that maybe the EU should not retaliate. This makes perfect economic sense. Tariffs are a loose-loose move Trump hurts the US economy as well as the rest of the world. Similarly, EU tariffs might hurt the US, but will also hurt the EU. So let them stew in their own juice and let retailiation take the form of making sure everone knows what an idiot Trump is.

Brian Walsh, Thomas Boodry and David Feith

Never heard of any of em

I think it could be the route to go. Trump's a brinksman. He also loves the chaos and news cycle. If we shoot our load early then it's just a death spiral with a maniac.

It's not done from a position of weakness.

More a position of common sense.

Yeah a quiet pivot away from everything American by the EU is far more damaging to te US than giving Trump what he wants which is headline grabbing reciprocal tarrifs.

Same as before then mostly.

Soybeans, Bourbon/Whiskey, Motorcycles, Cheese, Peanuts, Cotton, Tobacco, Boeing

These products are tied to specific regions (Midwest, Southeast, Rust Belt) with political clout, where economic disruption could sway voters or pressure GOP. The 2018 EU retaliatory tariffs on bourbon and Harleys, in response to U.S. steel tariffs, demonstrated this strategy’s success—exports dropped sharply, and U.S. producers lobbied for relief. Plus, hopefully more Europeans would buy Irish whiskey.

Is anyone buying the dollar? We can expect the dollar to rise a bit as a result of these tariffs unless they have already been priced in?

Do it legislatively. Ban investment in American companies in some way. Coordinate with other countries to stop selling them precious metals etc. Ban things that can keep money from going there while still allowing important things to be bought without tariffs.

Tariffs aren't the answer when the calculation comes from deficits. Harming US business is ultimately meaningless. The world has to harm US interests in a far more direct way.

Like a coordinated sell off of all the debt for example. Truss nearly ruined pensions in the UK. The world should try and do that to America.

I think there’s a very strong element of disruption without “theory” - it places countries on a back foot but only to a degree - they will and are regrouping - responses for the moment in my view shouldn’t be “textbook” - a bit of wait and see - we’re seen signs of discontent amongst the American people - hopefully they will be a strong voice