The Tarriff Hype.
- Thread starter petros
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A president of the United States comes to every table with a strong hand, by virtue of the heft of the country and economy he represents. But the other side always has cards, too. In the case of Canada, that includes the fact that we buy hundreds of billions of dollars of U.S. goods and services, that trade barriers can affect employment and prices in ways American voters do not appreciate, and that the U.S. is still a democracy, with Mr. Trump’s party on track to lose control of at least one chamber of Congress this fall.
Donald Trump is impulsive. He’s impatient. He’s a fantasist who always needs to win, but will happily settle for victories that exist only in his imagination. And the only thing he disrespects more than a country that doesn’t give in to his demands is a country that does.
Bear this in mind as Canada negotiates with the U.S. President and his minions over the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Bear this in mind as you consider the news, widely reported this week, that the White House has insisted that, prior to talks to end the trade war against Canada, we should make pre-emptive concessions. Basically pay an entry fee for the privilege of getting into the room with the people attacking us.
apple.news
Donald Trump is impulsive. He’s impatient. He’s a fantasist who always needs to win, but will happily settle for victories that exist only in his imagination. And the only thing he disrespects more than a country that doesn’t give in to his demands is a country that does.
Bear this in mind as Canada negotiates with the U.S. President and his minions over the future of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Bear this in mind as you consider the news, widely reported this week, that the White House has insisted that, prior to talks to end the trade war against Canada, we should make pre-emptive concessions. Basically pay an entry fee for the privilege of getting into the room with the people attacking us.
What Iran has taught Canada about negotiating with Trump — The Globe and Mail
The only thing Trump disrespects more than a country that doesn’t give in to his demands is a country that does
"It’s a very aggressive tactic by the United States," said international trade lawyer William Pellerin. "This really reinforces the approach that we’ve seen from the United States for a while now, which is simply: We win if you lose."
U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policy is focused on using steep tariffs to try to push foreign companies of all kinds to move production to the U.S. As part of that strategy, the administration has been clobbering Canada’s aluminum and steel sectors with tariffs for more than a year, escalating to 50 per cent.
Earlier this month, the U.S. also changed how it applies metal duties to manufactured goods, hitting Canadian companies hard. "Many of our clients are laying off employees, closing facilities," said Pellerin, whose firm McMillan LLP represents companies facing American tariffs. "It is really painful to see these massive layoffs happen in Canada."
apple.news
Can’t we just “gift” Trump an airplane and an apology for not wanting to be the 51st state or something to make all this stupidity go away?
U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policy is focused on using steep tariffs to try to push foreign companies of all kinds to move production to the U.S. As part of that strategy, the administration has been clobbering Canada’s aluminum and steel sectors with tariffs for more than a year, escalating to 50 per cent.
Earlier this month, the U.S. also changed how it applies metal duties to manufactured goods, hitting Canadian companies hard. "Many of our clients are laying off employees, closing facilities," said Pellerin, whose firm McMillan LLP represents companies facing American tariffs. "It is really painful to see these massive layoffs happen in Canada."
Trump offers immediate tariff relief to Canadian aluminum and steel companies that commit to U.S. expansion — CBC News
The Trump administration is now offering Canadian and Mexican aluminum and steel companies immediate tariff relief if they commit to moving production to the United States in the future.
"We need a good deal in the right time, and what we don't need is chasing a small deal that disadvantages us," the prime minister told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault on Monday.
Carney went on to suggest that a good tariff resolution could be reached soon, but that there needs to be more movement from the U.S. side of the table?
"We could sit down this afternoon and hammer the whole thing out over the course of 10 days if the U.S. side — which has other things to do, I acknowledge that — had the bandwidth and the inclination to go through it," Carney said.
"But it takes two to negotiate it through, and they're not all the way there." (???)
apple.news
They are not all the way there yet? Really?
Later in the interview, Carney suggested countries that quickly worked out some form of tariff relief with the U.S. aren't happy with the deals they got. A number of countries such as the U.K., Japan and the EU block reached agreements with the U.S. within the last year, but those deals kept some form of tariff on imports to the U.S.
"A lot of countries rushed into deals with the U.S. They weren't really worth the paper they were written on," Carney said, though he didn't name which countries he thinks got a raw deal.
Asked if he thinks any country is happy with the deal they worked out with the U.S., Carney replied "certainly not in private."
Carney went on to suggest that a good tariff resolution could be reached soon, but that there needs to be more movement from the U.S. side of the table?
"We could sit down this afternoon and hammer the whole thing out over the course of 10 days if the U.S. side — which has other things to do, I acknowledge that — had the bandwidth and the inclination to go through it," Carney said.
"But it takes two to negotiate it through, and they're not all the way there." (???)
Canada won't be 'chasing a small deal' to get U.S. tariff relief, Carney says — CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada and the U.S. could resolve the ongoing tariff dispute within "days" if the U.S. side had the "bandwidth and the inclination to go through with it."
Later in the interview, Carney suggested countries that quickly worked out some form of tariff relief with the U.S. aren't happy with the deals they got. A number of countries such as the U.K., Japan and the EU block reached agreements with the U.S. within the last year, but those deals kept some form of tariff on imports to the U.S.
"A lot of countries rushed into deals with the U.S. They weren't really worth the paper they were written on," Carney said, though he didn't name which countries he thinks got a raw deal.
Asked if he thinks any country is happy with the deal they worked out with the U.S., Carney replied "certainly not in private."
Did Carnage already forget about the 50000 junk EVs from China he is letting into the country for no reason?"We need a good deal in the right time, and what we don't need is chasing a small deal that disadvantages us," the prime minister told CBC News chief correspondent Adrienne Arsenault on Monday.
Carney went on to suggest that a good tariff resolution could be reached soon, but that there needs to be more movement from the U.S. side of the table?
"We could sit down this afternoon and hammer the whole thing out over the course of 10 days if the U.S. side — which has other things to do, I acknowledge that — had the bandwidth and the inclination to go through it," Carney said.
"But it takes two to negotiate it through, and they're not all the way there." (???)
They are not all the way there yet? Really?Canada won't be 'chasing a small deal' to get U.S. tariff relief, Carney says — CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada and the U.S. could resolve the ongoing tariff dispute within "days" if the U.S. side had the "bandwidth and the inclination to go through with it."
Later in the interview, Carney suggested countries that quickly worked out some form of tariff relief with the U.S. aren't happy with the deals they got. A number of countries such as the U.K., Japan and the EU block reached agreements with the U.S. within the last year, but those deals kept some form of tariff on imports to the U.S.
"A lot of countries rushed into deals with the U.S. They weren't really worth the paper they were written on," Carney said, though he didn't name which countries he thinks got a raw deal.
Asked if he thinks any country is happy with the deal they worked out with the U.S., Carney replied "certainly not in private."
I’m sure there’s a reason, & I’m sure (pretty sure) he or his wife or children won’t be piloting one anytime soon.
On Feb. 20, the high court ruled that Trump had overstepped his authority by invoking the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose double-digit tariffs on almost every country on Earth. Trump had used the act to plaster taxes on imports with eager abandon. For example, he conjured up a new tariff on Canada (though he never actually imposed it) because he didn’t like a Canadian television ad criticizing his trade policies…so…
apnews.com
The administration has brought the cases under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes tariffs and other sanctions against countries found to engage in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable” or “discriminatory” trade practices.
U.S. Trade Representative Greer, who is overseeing the investigations, has insisted he won’t prejudge them.
But importers and foreign countries have doubts the process will be fair. After all, Trump’s Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, did not wait for the investigations to be completed to proclaim that the U.S. government will replace its original tariff revenues with new import taxes, including ones to be imposed under Section 301. The president himself has said that new tariffs “are going to get us more money.’’
“If you believe the Treasury secretary and the president, then the cake is already baked,” said Scott Lincicome of the libertarian Cato Institute’s Center for Trade Policy Studies. “These investigations will result in tariffs that approximate what the Supreme Court overruled in February.’’
Trump pursues new import taxes to replace the tariffs the Supreme Court rejected
When the Supreme Court killed his favorite tariffs in February, President Donald Trump rolled out temporary import taxes to replace them.
apnews.com
U.S. Trade Representative Greer, who is overseeing the investigations, has insisted he won’t prejudge them.
But importers and foreign countries have doubts the process will be fair. After all, Trump’s Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, did not wait for the investigations to be completed to proclaim that the U.S. government will replace its original tariff revenues with new import taxes, including ones to be imposed under Section 301. The president himself has said that new tariffs “are going to get us more money.’’
“If you believe the Treasury secretary and the president, then the cake is already baked,” said Scott Lincicome of the libertarian Cato Institute’s Center for Trade Policy Studies. “These investigations will result in tariffs that approximate what the Supreme Court overruled in February.’’
The UAE is leaving OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, 2026, primarily to maximize oil revenue through higher production capacity and to gain strategic, independent control of its energy policy. This decision allows the UAE to produce more before global demand peaks,, free from quota restrictions.
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it was quitting OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil producers' group as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations.
UAE leaves OPEC in blow to global oil producers' group — Reuters
The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said it was quitting OPEC, dealing a blow to the oil producers' group as an unprecedented energy crisis caused by the Iran war exposes discord among Gulf nations.
I didn’t think you could leave a cartel like that.
UAE energy chief explains decision to leave OPEC as Hormuz crisis deepens
The United Arab Emirates will exit OPEC on May 1, in a major blow to the cartel that coordinates production among many of the world’s largest oil producers, ...
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$1.66 per kg for sea salt seems like a bargain considering how long it will last.
I live about 300 meters as the crow flys from the ocean and I could not collect sea salt for that price.
President Donald Trump said he was raising tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25%, claiming that the bloc had failed to fully comply with a trade agreement negotiated with the US.
So…he’s going to charge the EU the same as what he’s charging Canada & Mexico with their integrated manufacturing infrastructure with America for noncompliant USMCACUSMANAFTA automobiles then? Ok…
“I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump said Friday in a social media post. “The Tariff will be increased to 25%.”
Ok……Trump said the levies would not apply to automobiles built in US facilities. “It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF,” the president said. Hmmm…that smells familiar.
nationalpost.com
www.ie.edu
Speaking to reporters at the White House on Friday, Trump reiterated his claim that the EU was “not adhering” to their agreement, without providing more details, and said the levies would force their automakers to “move their factory production much faster” to the US.
Nice product/business/whatever you have there. Shame if something should happen to it, etc…
The EU is implementing its commitments in line with standard legislative practice and keeping the US administration fully informed throughout, a spokesperson said. The European Commission will seek clarity from the US and keep its options open (=Trade Diversification as opposed to capitulation) to protect EU interests, the spokesperson said.
www.youtube.com
For the auto industry, Trump’s decision injects fresh volatility as companies are still adapting to the US president’s whipsawing trade policies from last year that significantly increased costs and squeezed profits for carmakers and their suppliers. Trump has pushed automakers to expand their US manufacturing operations by imposing tariffs on vehicles and parts that cross the border, even from countries with prior trade agreements.
Trump’s decision renews a contentious trade fight with a major economic bloc even as the Iran war and the resultant spike in energy prices place fresh strains on the global economy.
Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said that Trump’s behavior was unacceptable and that the EU is honoring the deal.
www.e-ir.info
“The US Trump(?) repeatedly breached the agreement,” Lange told Bloomberg on Friday, referring to US tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. “This latest move demonstrates just how unreliable the US Trump(?) side is.”
Lange reiterated that parliament is drafting legislation to ratify the trade deal with the US and hopes to finalize it in June.
Under their trade deal, the EU had agreed to erase levies on US industrial goods in exchange for a 15% tariff ceiling on most EU products. The bloc had accepted the lopsided deal in the hopes of keeping Trump engaged in Ukraine and avoiding a full rupture in trade relations.
Trump did not specify how he believed the EU had failed to honor their trade pact on Friday, but the agreement had faced challenges, complicating negotiations over implementation. While the two sides reached their agreement in July, EU lawmakers are yet to fully ratify the pact as they seek further amendments.
apple.news
So…he’s going to charge the EU the same as what he’s charging Canada & Mexico with their integrated manufacturing infrastructure with America for noncompliant USMCACUSMANAFTA automobiles then? Ok…
“I am pleased to announce that, based on the fact the European Union is not complying with our fully agreed to Trade Deal, next week I will be increasing Tariffs charged to the European Union for Cars and Trucks coming into the United States,” Trump said Friday in a social media post. “The Tariff will be increased to 25%.”
Ok……Trump said the levies would not apply to automobiles built in US facilities. “It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF,” the president said. Hmmm…that smells familiar.
The billion-dollar carrot: Why Canada won’t buy Trump’s steel relocation offer
With massive capital costs and grid constraints, industry leaders say the “move to America” offer is a nonstarter for Canadian producers.
Trump as a Mafia Boss | IE Insights
Donald Trump’s undermining of institutions is destabilizing markets and eroding trust by replacing predictability with personal power, writes Rafael Pampillón.
www.ie.edu
Nice product/business/whatever you have there. Shame if something should happen to it, etc…
The EU is implementing its commitments in line with standard legislative practice and keeping the US administration fully informed throughout, a spokesperson said. The European Commission will seek clarity from the US and keep its options open (=Trade Diversification as opposed to capitulation) to protect EU interests, the spokesperson said.
Trump’s 4 steps to negotiation
Andrew Chang explains the key steps in U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff negotiation playbook. Images provided by Getty Images, The Canadian Press and Reu...
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Trump’s decision renews a contentious trade fight with a major economic bloc even as the Iran war and the resultant spike in energy prices place fresh strains on the global economy.
Bernd Lange, who chairs the European Parliament’s trade committee, said that Trump’s behavior was unacceptable and that the EU is honoring the deal.
Trump’s 'Gangster Diplomacy': The Political Economy of US-Japan Tariffs – E-International Relations
Trump’s use of tariffs is framed as ideological warfare against globalism, making Japan – a liberal internationalist stronghold – a prime target.
www.e-ir.info
Lange reiterated that parliament is drafting legislation to ratify the trade deal with the US and hopes to finalize it in June.
Under their trade deal, the EU had agreed to erase levies on US industrial goods in exchange for a 15% tariff ceiling on most EU products. The bloc had accepted the lopsided deal in the hopes of keeping Trump engaged in Ukraine and avoiding a full rupture in trade relations.
Trump did not specify how he believed the EU had failed to honor their trade pact on Friday, but the agreement had faced challenges, complicating negotiations over implementation. While the two sides reached their agreement in July, EU lawmakers are yet to fully ratify the pact as they seek further amendments.
Trump Vows 25% Tariff on European Autos in Escalating Trade Rift — Bloomberg
President Donald Trump said he was raising tariffs on cars and trucks from the European Union to 25%, claiming that the bloc had failed to fully comply with a trade agreement negotiated with the US.
Not seeing where that would be of any benefit to European car manufacturers. Or Europeans in general. Assembled in the US, maybe, but not built.