Another great example of Trump putting America first again. Merz, Meloni, Starmer, Macron, and Sanchez turned their backs on the US as we took on the mullahs, and the IRGC in their insane form of politics through terrorism. None of these leaders stepped forward to help us. Japan was a true ally willing to stand by us in our efforts to stop Iran’s aspirations of power and control through nuclear threat.
Another reason to take most of the US Army out of Europe to start with and force them to start meeting NATO defense requirements now or the USAF and missile defense systems including DDGs parked off their coast get pulled as well.
Trump was right. The Europeans got cute, and now they get tariffs. For decades, Brussels hid protectionism behind process, regulation, and sanctimony while American workers got sold out. Not anymore. You do not pocket American concessions, rewrite the bargain with sunset gimmicks, and expect Trump to smile like Obama or Biden. A 25% auto tariff is the message: perform or pay. Better yet, build the cars here and put Americans to work. That is fair. That is leverage. That is how grown nations negotiate. Europe wanted the keys without paying for the house. Trump changed the locks.
Imagine buying and paying for weapons systems from US contractors - then waiting months to years for delivery. Only to be told, "Never mind. We like these weapons, so we're going to keep them."
The EU had better wise up before my favorite President makes the tariffs permanent, adds an additional NATO VAT Tax, begins a structured WW’s Repayment Act, claws back the Marshall Plan Recovery with interest, and adds a general stupid EuroTrash tax.
Alex, our love affair has hit a small speed bump (but I do still love you! 😁). You noted the reason the EU has high tariffs on certain American products - “high tariffs and outright bans on a long list of American agricultural products, from beef raised with growth hormones to chlorine-rinsed poultry to genetically modified crops, dressed up as food safety but functioning as protectionism”.
I do not know the entire list of EU proscribed foods, but I know I categorically refuse to eat foods with dyes added, GMO Frankenstein pesticide poisoned foods, beef injected with hormones or mass use of antibiotics, chlorine-rinsed poultry (oh what a piquant flavor that must be!), etc.
I wish the US was as committed to protecting the safety of foods here and not have our Ag laws managed by Big Ag. And to be clear, this is the only subject in which I can be in some amount of agreement with the EU; on the whole the EU and its member states are communistic supercilious sociopaths.
Outraged about "chlorine-rinsed poultry" and "foods with dyes," yet you seem to be a fan of "chlorine dioxide cures everything" quacks - https://substack.com/@pat1134632/reads
The US Judiciary wants to force the US to repay the tariffs it collected. The US Administration wants to force the EU to pay the tariffs it refused to pay.
A couple different Acts of Congress empower POTUS to impose tariffs; they're testing the limits of the Constitution and existing laws now while working out the details. But larger issues than these methods are the objectives and goals of the Administration, which people argue about constantly so that we don't have to duplicate it here.
None appear to allow the president on his own to impose tariffs out of whim, spite, or even inability to understand causes and consequences of the trade deficit. SCOTUS, generally Trump-friendly, was clear on this.
I'd characterize the current Administration much more positively than that. It seems like the Democrats, their special interest groups or one of their lawfirms challenges everything he does, but many challenges fail and many initiatives continue.
Most economists look upon tariffs as a tax on GDP growth, while ignoring the long run erosion of our national balance sheet caused by sustained trade deficits and their conjoined fiscal deficits. After years of sustained trade deficits with Europe and China, it is far past time to discard trade agreements and gradually ratchet the tariff knob until trade balances.
It's just dumbfounding. Past administrations have TRAINED the EU that we can be played. Why the hell does the US put up with this? Trump needs to hit back harder. They are just trying to outlast him.
Another great example of Trump putting America first again. Merz, Meloni, Starmer, Macron, and Sanchez turned their backs on the US as we took on the mullahs, and the IRGC in their insane form of politics through terrorism. None of these leaders stepped forward to help us. Japan was a true ally willing to stand by us in our efforts to stop Iran’s aspirations of power and control through nuclear threat.
Consider putting your crack pipe down for awhile.
I won't buy anything from Europe. I don't care if we trade at all. See ya Europe. That's me. Decide on your own. Trump's doing it the right way.
Another reason to take most of the US Army out of Europe to start with and force them to start meeting NATO defense requirements now or the USAF and missile defense systems including DDGs parked off their coast get pulled as well.
Trump was right. The Europeans got cute, and now they get tariffs. For decades, Brussels hid protectionism behind process, regulation, and sanctimony while American workers got sold out. Not anymore. You do not pocket American concessions, rewrite the bargain with sunset gimmicks, and expect Trump to smile like Obama or Biden. A 25% auto tariff is the message: perform or pay. Better yet, build the cars here and put Americans to work. That is fair. That is leverage. That is how grown nations negotiate. Europe wanted the keys without paying for the house. Trump changed the locks.
Imagine buying and paying for weapons systems from US contractors - then waiting months to years for delivery. Only to be told, "Never mind. We like these weapons, so we're going to keep them."
I propose immediately bombing German solar installations with frozen chickens.
I wonder if the Department of War already has Smart Chickens to minimize collateral damage?????
The EU had better wise up before my favorite President makes the tariffs permanent, adds an additional NATO VAT Tax, begins a structured WW’s Repayment Act, claws back the Marshall Plan Recovery with interest, and adds a general stupid EuroTrash tax.
Typical ...
Alex, our love affair has hit a small speed bump (but I do still love you! 😁). You noted the reason the EU has high tariffs on certain American products - “high tariffs and outright bans on a long list of American agricultural products, from beef raised with growth hormones to chlorine-rinsed poultry to genetically modified crops, dressed up as food safety but functioning as protectionism”.
I do not know the entire list of EU proscribed foods, but I know I categorically refuse to eat foods with dyes added, GMO Frankenstein pesticide poisoned foods, beef injected with hormones or mass use of antibiotics, chlorine-rinsed poultry (oh what a piquant flavor that must be!), etc.
I wish the US was as committed to protecting the safety of foods here and not have our Ag laws managed by Big Ag. And to be clear, this is the only subject in which I can be in some amount of agreement with the EU; on the whole the EU and its member states are communistic supercilious sociopaths.
Outraged about "chlorine-rinsed poultry" and "foods with dyes," yet you seem to be a fan of "chlorine dioxide cures everything" quacks - https://substack.com/@pat1134632/reads
"Communistic, supercilious sociopaths" 🤣
Seem is the operative word, bless your heart. And I can safely assume you are one of the communist supercilious sociopaths I mentioned?
So much for being this great negotiator. 😂
A very concise feature. Nice writing, thank you.
The US Judiciary wants to force the US to repay the tariffs it collected. The US Administration wants to force the EU to pay the tariffs it refused to pay.
When you have a chance, take a look which branch determines tariffs.
A couple different Acts of Congress empower POTUS to impose tariffs; they're testing the limits of the Constitution and existing laws now while working out the details. But larger issues than these methods are the objectives and goals of the Administration, which people argue about constantly so that we don't have to duplicate it here.
None appear to allow the president on his own to impose tariffs out of whim, spite, or even inability to understand causes and consequences of the trade deficit. SCOTUS, generally Trump-friendly, was clear on this.
I'd characterize the current Administration much more positively than that. It seems like the Democrats, their special interest groups or one of their lawfirms challenges everything he does, but many challenges fail and many initiatives continue.
Yep, I say screw the EU…and NATO and the UN, while we’re at it!
Trump is right about almost everything.
Most economists look upon tariffs as a tax on GDP growth, while ignoring the long run erosion of our national balance sheet caused by sustained trade deficits and their conjoined fiscal deficits. After years of sustained trade deficits with Europe and China, it is far past time to discard trade agreements and gradually ratchet the tariff knob until trade balances.
It's just dumbfounding. Past administrations have TRAINED the EU that we can be played. Why the hell does the US put up with this? Trump needs to hit back harder. They are just trying to outlast him.
Thank you for explaining this outrageous situation. Well done, Trump Administration.