'Get on the bandwagon': Trump slams 'unbelievably disloyal' GOP senators in overnight rant

[roamer_1]

The worst are Republicans who acknowledge that these tariffs are going to  hurt their constituents, but have decided that being loyal to Trump is more important

The thing that's missing is CHOICE. When there is an American or Mexican, or European alternative, THEN throw your weight around with tariffs. CINO-JP-SK is most of the off-shore world. Citizens are GOING TO take it hard because everything is made there, or at the component or part level. Yo're gonna pay more. And you will have to.

See, it's nothing but a cheesy short fix. It will supposedly drive manufacturing back home - without fixing any of the American problems that drove them off-shore.

Absolutely short-sighted and bass-akwards.

And it will change nothing, because it has no legs. Everyone knows it is over in three years at best, so everyone will hunker down and survive it. It won't do shit.

[Free Vulcan]

Oil has dropped $5/bbl this morning..

That's a shame.

[Right_in_Virginia]

I provided the DJT's chart, and not one peep from the naysayers on why these tariffs are a bad idea. Given every single proposed Trump tariff is at or lower than every trading partner in the world.   Maybe they like wearing kick me signs on our backs.

Thanks for the chart @catfish1957  I pulled it from the X post, just in case folks missed it. The 1st column is the tariffs charged to the US, including currency manipulation and trade barriers.   The second column (gold) is the US discounted reciprocal tariff.

[catfish1957]

The thing that's missing is CHOICE. When there is an American or Mexican, or European alternative, THEN throw your weight around with tariffs. CINO-JP-SK is most of the off-shore world. Citizens are GOING TO take it hard because everything is made there, or at the component or part level. Yo're gonna pay more. And you will have to.

See, it's nothing but a cheesy short fix. It will supposedly drive manufacturing back home - without fixing any of the American problems that drove them off-shore.

Absolutely short-sighted and bass-akwards.

And it will change nothing, because it has no legs. Everyone knows it is over in three years at best, so everyone will hunker down and survive it. It won't do shit.

And still, look at Trump's chart where every proposed tariff is at or below what the corresponding country's is. 

Like I said....  I for one, am tired of the proverbial "kick me" sign on our backs, but I guess that's alright with you. And I do know of the far east confederation pact.  That's fine and good, unless they want forsake 30% of their business. I am guessing that they come to the table, especially since they charge more tariffs to us, than we do to them.

See chart above...

Japan- 46% on us.....  We are proposing 24% on them
South Korea- 50% on us,  We are proposing 25% on them
Chiina- 67% on us   We are proposing 34% on them

[cato potatoe]

I don't understand what you are getting at...   There are 2 columns on the chart

(1) Tariffs Charged to the USA including currency manipulation and trade barriers
(2) USA discounted Reciprocal tariffs

I don't see anything specfic to trade deficits, and it seems pretty self explanitory to me.

In my mind, reciprocity would mean the EU has the 39% tax he listed, and we respond with 39%.  But their average tax is more like 1%, with some exceptions like cars at 10%.  We charge 25% on trucks. 
I think he divided the trade deficit with the EU ($236B) by the imports from EU ($606B) and came up with 39%

Currency manipulation is a phrase Trump uses, but has never cites in an example, and I doubt he even understands it on a basic level.  There may be certain trade barriers, but those would not translate into a percentage. 

[roamer_1]

Otherwise, I challenge one Briefer to counter , why we should let the world have the upper hand.

Happily: Cart before the horse. And with no alternative, as I said upthread.

What will work is fixing the anti-business environment here at home so those companies bring their manufacturing back of their own accord.

You won't force them back in four short years. It has to be a plan enforceable for decades.
That will never happen this way.

[catfish1957]

Happily: Cart before the horse. And with no alternative, as I said upthread.

What will work is fixing the anti-business environment here at home so those companies bring their manufacturing back of their own accord.

You won't force them back in four short years. It has to be a plan enforceable for decades.
That will never happen this way.

So that is basically an endorsement of the world systematically doubling the tariffs versus what we invoke, and we perpetually accepting it? 

Quite a  winning stategy there  Cotton.   Otherwise, what the hell would you do?

[roamer_1]

IMO, what we're witnessing is tantamount to a wrestling match. 

Yeah. WWE wrestling. 

POTUS has them pinned to the mat and we're merely waiting for the "tap out".

As youngsters, we all hated when mom grabbed the Castor Oil...[/size]

More like the guy you paid to play your mom, after he's got you all tied up, and pulls out the KY jelly.

I can't believe how blinded y'all are.
Make America BOHICA. Again.

[roamer_1]

Good points, but I think you missed the main point.  This is a leveling process.... 

No it's not. it's four years. The bet is whether it will make it that long, or die with the Democrats taking over at the mid terms. There is no way they won't hunker down and wait him out. Just like last time.

[catfish1957]

In my mind, reciprocity would mean the EU has the 39% tax he listed, and we respond with 39%.  But their average tax is more like 1%, with some exceptions like cars at 10%.  We charge 25% on trucks. 

That is a good question, but my guess is, is that since different products have different tariff quantities, I am guessing that Trump's team calculated or formulated a weighted average.  If they did it, product by product world wide, this process would never end.

I think he divided the trade deficit with the EU ($236B) by the imports from EU ($606B) and came up with 39%

Coincidence maybe.  Past trade is water under the bridge.  That is, unless he is thinking in extrapolative terms.  Which honeslty isn't a bad strategy for a process of leveling long term.

Currency manipulation is a phrase Trump uses, but has never cites in an example, and I doubt he even understands it on a basic level.  There may be certain trade barriers, but those would not translate into a percentage.


Naww...  there are economist wonks who know this process perfectly, and our "cough cough" friends the Chicoms are the masters of it. It's akin to playing games to circumvent trade deficits and policies. And Trump?  He's enough of businessman who has done enough international businees to understand how this works in negotiations of property.  I am guessing he understand currency markets more than people think.

Great points.....

[catfish1957]

No it's not. it's four years. The bet is whether it will make it that long, or die with the Democrats taking over at the mid terms. There is no way they won't hunker down and wait him out. Just like last time.

Shit!!!!!!

You won''t even acknowledge that our proposed tariffs are ALL below existing ones being imposed on us.
You aren't thinking rationally.  I am through responding.

Again, instead of being the whining perpetual naaysayer, how about some solutions?  At least Trump is trying to do something.

[roamer_1]

And still, look at Trump's chart where every proposed tariff is at or below what the corresponding country's is. 

I don't care. Not until there is a manufacturing alternative. You can't 'Buy American' because it ain't made here. Fix that FIRST.

Like I said....  I for one, am tired of the proverbial "kick me" sign on our backs, but I guess that's alright with you. And I do know of the far east confederation pact.  That's fine and good, unless they want forsake 30% of their business. I am guessing that they come to the table, especially since they charge more tariffs to us, than we do to them.

See chart above...

Japan- 46% on us.....  We are proposing 24% on them
South Korea- 50% on us,  We are proposing 25% on them
Chiina- 67% on us   We are proposing 34% on them

Oh I hate it too. But this will fix nothing. They will wait it out, or it will be trade war time. Either way, Americans are going to be paying way more. AGAIN. Only this time on top of the Tumpy/Bitem inflation loop.

Like I said, better to focus on the things that sent business offshore FIRST so they come home on their own. THEN throw your weight around.

This is just stupid.

[catfish1957]

I don't care. Not until there is a manufacturing alternative. You can't 'Buy American' because it ain't made here. Fix that FIRST.

Oh I hate it too. But this will fix nothing. They will wait it out, or it will be trade war time. Either way, Americans are going to be paying way more. AGAIN. Only this time on top of the Tumpy/Bitem inflation loop.

Like I said, better to focus on the things that sent business offshore FIRST so they come home on their own. THEN throw your weight around.

This is just stupid.

See your point, but @$37T debt.  Is there time?  Rebuildng Industrial infrastructure will take 10 years to reach our '60's-70's level of dominance or even competitive nature.

[roamer_1]

So that is basically an endorsement of the world systematically doubling the tariffs versus what we invoke, and we perpetually accepting it? 

Quite a  winning stategy there  Cotton.   Otherwise, what the hell would you do?

No this is an endorsement of not cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Like I said: Fix what drove business offshore and make us competitive. That's what's wrong.
You won't fix a damn thing without that first.

[mystery-ak]

How the Trump Administration Calculated the New Reciprocal Tariffs

The tariffs are calculated using a straightforward formula based on each country’s goods trade surplus with the United States


The Trump administration on Wednesday released its long-awaited formula for calculating the new reciprocal tariffs unveiled in the Rose Garden, offering a clearer picture of how the United States intends to address persistent trade imbalances.

According to a statement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the tariffs are calculated using a straightforward formula based on each country’s goods trade surplus with the United States. Specifically, the method divides a country’s trade surplus by its total exports to the U.S., then applies a 50 percent discount to the resulting percentage.

For example, China exported $438 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024 and ran a trade surplus of $295 billion, according to Census Bureau data. That yields a surplus ratio of 67.4 percent, and after halving that figure, the U.S. imposed a 34 percent reciprocal tariff rate.

Countries with smaller imbalances are assessed proportionally lower rates. Nations where trade flows are roughly even or where the U.S. runs a surplus are subject to a flat 10 percent tariff.

more
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/04/03/how-the-trump-administration-calculated-the-new-reciprocal-tariffs/

[catfish1957]

No this is an endorsement of not cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Like I said: Fix what drove business offshore and make us competitive. That's what's wrong.
You won't fix a damn thing without that first.

I'd like to see both.  And with a Trillion + in commitment in new business the past few months, I think he is on the right track.

And still, I am guessing (hoping) that a great majority are going to come to the table to negotiate, rather than risk a trade war.  If he pulls that off, we win.

[roamer_1]

Shit!!!!!!

You won''t even acknowledge that our proposed tariffs are ALL below existing ones being imposed on us.

No, I don't care about that. You're fixated on the wrong damn thing.

You aren't thinking rationally.  I am through responding.

Again, instead of being the whining perpetual naaysayer, how about some solutions?  At least Trump is trying to do something.

Do something, even if it's wrong!!!

AGAIN: I don't care if it's fair or not. Don't rock the damn boat without having alternatives first. Another damn boat, preferably with a motor. Or at least a damn life jacket.

[catfish1957]

How the Trump Administration Calculated the New Reciprocal Tariffs

The tariffs are calculated using a straightforward formula based on each country’s goods trade surplus with the United States


The Trump administration on Wednesday released its long-awaited formula for calculating the new reciprocal tariffs unveiled in the Rose Garden, offering a clearer picture of how the United States intends to address persistent trade imbalances.

According to a statement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the tariffs are calculated using a straightforward formula based on each country’s goods trade surplus with the United States. Specifically, the method divides a country’s trade surplus by its total exports to the U.S., then applies a 50 percent discount to the resulting percentage.

For example, China exported $438 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024 and ran a trade surplus of $295 billion, according to Census Bureau data. That yields a surplus ratio of 67.4 percent, and after halving that figure, the U.S. imposed a 34 percent reciprocal tariff rate.

Countries with smaller imbalances are assessed proportionally lower rates. Nations where trade flows are roughly even or where the U.S. runs a surplus are subject to a flat 10 percent tariff.

more
https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/04/03/how-the-trump-administration-calculated-the-new-reciprocal-tariffs/

Thanks...  that explains that "extrapolative" theory I had.  and Cato's orginial assertion.

[roamer_1]

See your point, but @$37T debt.  Is there time?  Rebuildng Industrial infrastructure will take 10 years to reach our '60's-70's level of dominance or even competitive nature.

This will make MORE debt. More retaliatory imbalance.

And you're right - It will take decades. THAT's the real trade war.
This is just blowing everything the f*ck up. For four short years.

[roamer_1]

I'd like to see both.

Oh, me too, but one must come first. Fix what drove em offshore.

And with a Trillion + in commitment in new business the past few months, I think he is on the right track.

Nah. You know and I know that's a pocket full of promises. None of that can happen in four years.

And still, I am guessing (hoping) that a great majority are going to come to the table to negotiate, rather than risk a trade war.  If he pulls that off, we win.

For a few years maybe. Then the contracts change the minute he leaves office. And all those promised American manufacturing plants fade away, and it all goes right back the way it was.

That's why this is all just a massive waste of time for at best, a short term fix.

If you want it for realz, it has to come out of Congress. Ratified. Long term.

Four years from now, POOF!

[the OlLine Rebel]

Oh, me too, but one must come first. Fix what drove em offshore.

Nah. You know and I know that's a pocket full of promises. None of that can happen in four years.

For a few years maybe. Then the contracts change the minute he leaves office. And all those promised American manufacturing plants fade away, and it all goes right back the way it was.

That's why this is all just a massive waste of time for at best, a short term fix.

If you want it for realz, it has to come out of Congress. Ratified. Long term.

Four years from now, POOF!

I'd have to agree, overall.  This EO (tyrant-like) garbage has to stop.  Ultimately it's a paper tiger.  And clearly not thought out real well.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Imagine the nervousness of the Bush family right now as the JFK files are released?

You never saw the Carter funeral, I guess.

[roamer_1]

I'd have to agree, overall.  This EO (tyrant-like) garbage has to stop.  Ultimately it's a paper tiger.  And clearly not thought out real well.

But he's OUR paper tiger, dammit! 

People want a messiah. People want an emperor. They really do.
Quite literally, it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

And round and round we go, where it stops, nobody knows...

Here we go again. 

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I provided the DJT's chart, and not one peep from the naysayers on why these tariffs are a bad idea. Given every single proposed Trump tariff is at or lower than every trading partner in the world.   Maybe they like wearing kick me signs on our backs.

That's the graphic that sort of changed my opinion on these. My guess is that'll happen with normies too.

We're all on board this roller coaster now, no getting off lol.

[LMAO]

One thing for certain is this is Trump’s economy now. Blaming Biden or blaming the Federal Reserve, Congress, the deep state, or businesses themselves like he did after his 2018 tariff round won’t sell to anybody outside the committed MAGA base. Their devotion to him will not overcome the electoral anger towards him if this continues.

Good luck