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Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

bloomberg.com

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Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#101

Post by unclebucknasty »

prng2021 wrote: post #90
jonplackett wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the only explanation that has made sense to me so far. And it makes even more sense based on these exemptions. https://www.instagram.com/share/_jW_V1hwM This is Senator Chris Murphy explaining it’s not economic policy, it’s an attempt to blackmail corporations into submission by making a deal with him in return for sanctions relief. Keep an eye out for what Apple and nvidia might have agreed to give.

I keep seeing these explanations of “4D chess”. It’s Donald Trump. He has absolutely no idea what he’s doing when it comes to economic policies. Unless you believe he can see into the future of how other world leaders would react and consistently outsmart everyone else, there’s no 4D chess being played.

No, it's not 4D chess, and neither is extorting companies with tariffs, extorting law firms with threats of executive orders, or hammering universities by withholding funds.

It's all blunt-force checkers that any simpleton with power can easily understand.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#102

Post by seanmcdirmid »

dave4420 wrote: post #54
ajross wrote: post #20

Pointed it out in the other thread, but this is a capitulation . China imposed retaliatory tariffs that remain in effect! There are a handful of businesses that do indeed export to China, and the net effect here is that they've all been thrown under the bus. China gets to kill/pick/control them at will now.

How will China react to this, I wonder.

They will either ignore it or double down with an export tax on items in that class.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#104

Post by throwaway48476 »

galleywest200 wrote: post #86
throwaway48476 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

I am unsure why anyone would want to change the trade imbalance when you are arguably the richest country on earth. You have a trade imbalance because you are rich and can buy everything you want. Nobody in onshoring manufacturing with this level of instability in the finances of this country at this time. Trump changes his mind too often to build billions of dollars worth of factories.

The US was rich before there was a trade imbalance and remains rich in spite of it, not because of it.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#105

Post by ranger207 »

cinbun8 wrote: post #30

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s difficult to discern any coherent U.S. strategy—assuming one even exists. One day it’s a 145% tariff on China. The next, it’s “Well, it’s still 145%, but Apple and Nvidia are exempted because their stock prices might take a hit.” Then comes a 90-day pause, adding to the confusion. It’s not clear whether Jamieson Greer is actually steering this, or if any of it was thoroughly thoug…

It's vibe governing, just like any other populist government

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#106

Post by throwaway48476 »

brookst wrote: post #94
throwaway48476 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

“Fix” implies it’s broken. This is like saying it’s one way to fix America’s relative wealth.

If you spend more money than you make, then yes it's broken. And no printing money is not a solution, it's just a different form of taxation.

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#107

Post by steveBK123 »

dkrich wrote: post #47
cinbun8 wrote: post #30

From an outsider’s perspective, it’s difficult to discern any coherent U.S. strategy—assuming one even exists. One day it’s a 145% tariff on China. The next, it’s “Well, it’s still 145%, but Apple and Nvidia are exempted because their stock prices might take a hit.” Then comes a 90-day pause, adding to the confusion. It’s not clear whether Jamieson Greer is actually steering this, or if any of it was thoroughly thoug…

There is no plan. Talk tough, reverse under pressure, rinse repeat. Anyone surprised must not have watched season one which aired in 2019.

The "smart trumpers" I know have already staked out the entire range of possible outcomes:

1) He is completely restructuring global trade and decoupling us from China which is tough but necessary medicine because our biggest geopolitical adversary cannot be our largest trading partner

2) You can't believe half of what he says, he's all bluster, he's addicted to deals and will sign some fake deals to score a domestic win and we will resume status quo

Like yeah - sounds smart, but which is it?

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#108

Post by spwa4 »

rescripting wrote: post #97
prng2021 wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I keep seeing these explanations of “4D chess”. It’s Donald Trump. He has absolutely no idea what he’s doing when it comes to economic policies. Unless you believe he can see into the future of how other world leaders would react and consistently outsmart everyone else, there’s no 4D chess being played.

This isn’t advanced negotiation tactics, it’s mafia style negotiation tactics, which are 100% in character. See the law firms now providing him with 100s of millions in pro bono work to avoid punitive executive orders.

They never mentioned if they are providing "him" - as in the US government, or "him" as in Donald Trump, 100s of millions in pro Bono work ...

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#109

Post by hackernewds »

perihelions wrote: post #59

This reads to me as "we're doubling-down on 145%+ tariffs for everyone else". This is getting frighteningly close to a Russian-style economy. As in, a handful of powerful, connected "insiders" will be allowed to operate businesses, and will dominate... while everyone else gets wiped out, by acts of government. The furthest system possible from the free-market paradigm that built the American economy as it stands toda…

It opens up avenues to all sorts off oligarchy style bribery and lack of market competition. ultimately, the country will be looted, since the most successful businesses will not thrive on its merits

Re: Trump exempts phones, computers, chips from ‘reciprocal’ tariffs

#110

Post by mppm »

jmull wrote: post #69
mppm wrote: post #42

This is pretty much how I expected this to play out, at least for now. Trump acts all tough and doesn't back down publicly , but China actually doesn't back down. So what happens is that some businesses get exemptions to mitigate the impact. Then some fine print gets changed about how the rules are enforced. Like, suddenly it turns out that Kiribati is a major electronics supplier to the US :) End result - US economy…

> doesn't back down publicly Seems like he has been backing down publicly all week. Quickly too. This has been a massive catastrophe, though I suspect you're right about the end result.

Maybe publicly was not the right word. What I really meant is that the nominal 145% rate will remain in effect, so he can continue to pretend that the tariffs are still there and still hurting China, while he makes "minor adjustments" to protect American businesses.
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