Are U.S. expats shielded from the massive Trump Tariff Tax Raise on Americans?

[blaze master]

Just now, placeholder said:

Entirely my error. Not your post. My apologies. I have asked the mods to remove it.

 

Thanks.

[PomPolo]

It's quite simple from now on everything that American people buy in the US manufactured in another country (which is a lot) is going to be exorbitantly more expensive - that's winning!

It is the American people that the prices are going to be passed onto, may impact other countries exporting I agree but given the scale the US has done this they are going to be the major loser.

Does your average American look at where everything is made when they buy it in a shop if they do then they can give themselves a warm fuzzy feeling knowing they are buying American when everyone else in the world is going to increase Tariffs to the US and push to not buy American, also once the reciprocal tariffs start hitting the US all these 'top' US manufacturers are not going to be able to export especially in the tech area, which is supposedly the jewel in Americas crown, time for all other countries other than the US to shine and the US to welcome a new great depression, can anyone see the obvious flaw to Orange Face's plan?

[dutch boy]

Actually these tariffs imposed by President Trump will hopefully be a good thing for us expats in Thailand. I often order products from Amazon.com in the U.S. and pay upwards of 75% tariff, sometimes more. Thailand will eventually have to reduce its insane tariffs on American goods. This will be a big positive for us expats.

[rough diamond]

42 minutes ago, blaze master said:

 

Please do point out my talking point comments. This should be fun. 

The ones you said the so called "left" said!!!!

[LosLobo]

37 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Wildly misleading. Just googled about buying US beef in Oz. No tariff per se but some bs about not allowing US beef in for some other reason. It is still protectionism. Same with US cars, bring them into Oz no worries Bruce, but then must be converted to RHD at major expense. More protectionism.

I start to seriously doubt the IQ of many forum leftists here who just parrot fake news narratives. Oh but its just for safety the ABC watchers cry, jog on fellas. 

 

[BKKKevin]

I think Trump is a ignorant bully and a fool but as an Expat I will be happy to take the annual 5%+ increase in my Social Security in the next 4 years... 

[blaze master]

Just now, rough diamond said:

The ones you said the so called "left" said!!!!

 

Right. Your opinion noted. 

[PomPolo]

1 hour ago, sammieuk1 said:

Spare a thought for the penguins of the Heard and McDonald Islands who can't afford a suit yet alone a tariff 🤔

 

I think that actually makes him look more like a real politician rather than a comedian.

[connda]

18 minutes ago, pomchop said:

Hey trump  promised to bring prices down on day one as maga cheered his every utterance.. 

 

He was obviously talking about bringing stock prices down.  Promise delivered.  More to come.

 

 

Personally I'd like to see the stock market down to pre-2018 levels.  The stock market doesn't reflect the health of the economy.  The market has been artificially inflated for longer then anytime in my lifetime.  S&P at about 1800 would be fair value with realistic EPS valuations and PE levels. This current market is an abomination.

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, connda said:

Personally I'd like to see the stock market down to pre-2018 levels.  The stock market doesn't reflect the health of the economy.  The market has been artificially inflated for longer then anytime in my lifetime.  S&P at about 1800 would be fair value with realistic EPS valuations and PE levels. This current market is an abomination.

I think the reason for that is the huge tax cuts on the wealthy. There's all this money sitting around and only so much can be usefully invested. EWhich also explains the popularity of crypto and the fantastic runup in luxury real estate and art prices.

[SunnyinBangrak]

14 minutes ago, LosLobo said:

 

You cant compare tough as leather Aussie beef with Gods own melt in your mouth bursting with flavor US steaks. Like comparing a Lada with a Caddy. Think why carnivore diet is so popular in the states while Australians eat smashed avocado on toast. Amusing seeing the left concoct daft excuses for protectionism after getting called out.

In other words TRUMP WAS RIGHT😅

[PomPolo]

20 minutes ago, dutch boy said:

Actually these tariffs imposed by President Trump will hopefully be a good thing for us expats in Thailand. I often order products from Amazon.com in the U.S. and pay upwards of 75% tariff, sometimes more. Thailand will eventually have to reduce its insane tariffs on American goods. This will be a big positive for us expats.

I don't see much point in ordering anything from Europe or America when the prices are massively cheaper buying the same products from China.  Lazada is your friend.  Anything America can manufacture the Chinese probably make it better and cheaper.

[placeholder]

7 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

You cant compare tough as leather Aussie beef with Gods own melt in your mouth bursting with flavor US steaks. Like comparing a Lada with a Caddy. Think why carnivore diet is so popular in the states while Australians eat smashed avocado on toast. Amusing seeing the left concoct daft excuses for protectionism after getting called out.

In other words TRUMP WAS RIGHT😅

But Trump's justification for tariffs was that they are responsible for trade imbalances. Yet Australia usually has a trade deficit with the U.S. During the first 2 months of this year it did run a surplus but that's attributable to the fact that importers were stocking up to beat the imposition of tariffs. Here's the record for trade in goods for  2024.

 

https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c6021.html

[SunnyinBangrak]

5 minutes ago, PomPolo said:

I don't see much point in ordering anything from Europe or America when the prices are massively cheaper buying the same products from China.  Lazada is your friend.  Anything America can manufacture the Chinese probably make it better and cheaper.

Are you seriously saying the likes of Snap-on tools are on a par with garbage Chinese knockoffs that fail the first time you apply some elbow grease? 

[placeholder]

1 minute ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Are you seriously saying the likes of Snap-on tools are on a par with garbage Chinese knockoffs that fail the first time you apply some elbow grease? 

Popular Snap-On Tools Not Made in the USA

• Cordless Screwdriver Kit – China
• Variable Speed Polisher – China
• Gas Torches – Ireland
• Welding Helmets – China
• Safety Gloves – China
• Air Compressors – Canada and China

https://allamerican.org/investigation/snap-on-tools/

[PomPolo]

You called Donald Trump a tool not me there!

Some tools, especially certain power tools and accessories, are outsourced or manufactured abroad, including in:

• China

• Italy

• Spain

• United Kingdom

[dinsdale]

Another BS thread.

[PomPolo]

The US is naive if they think the same factories making all these products for a supposed US company isn't rebranding them and selling them at 1/4 of the price through Asian markets

[SHA 2 BKK]

56 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Wildly misleading. Just googled about buying US beef in Oz. No tariff per se but some bs about not allowing US beef in for some other reason. It is still protectionism. Same with US cars, bring them into Oz no worries Bruce, but then must be converted to RHD at major expense. More protectionism.

I start to seriously doubt the IQ of many forum leftists here who just parrot fake news narratives. Oh but its just for safety the ABC watchers cry, jog on fellas. 

So Australia should just allow cars to drive on the wrong side of the road just to please US Car Manufacturers?  Your obviously desperate here Cobber. 

And on Moo Cows!! 

Does Australia ban US beef imports?

Australia introduced a ban on US beef imports in 2003, in response to an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease.

 

It was technically lifted in 2019, subject to an ongoing biosecurity review that in practice means no imports of fresh beef. The sticking point is the US’s reliance on live cattle imports from Canada and Mexico to bolster its national herd.

So by protecting the lives of Australians by stopping cars driving on the wrong side of the road and not allowing the spread of mad cow disease among it’s citizens (it can also spread to Australias Beef herd) as well as subsidising life medicines - Australia seems to have drawn the ire Mr Trump and his cronies. 
 

But I do agree with one of your points cobber, I do seriously question the IQ of some on this forum.  

[SunnyinBangrak]

3 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

So Australia should just allow cars to drive on the wrong side of the road just to please US Car Manufacturers?  Your obviously desperate here Cobber. 

And on Moo Cows!! 

 

I get as far as your 1st sentence before encountering "liberal logic". Your claim that lhd cars are unable to drive on the left side of the road is one for the ages😅. I can see why you guys just parrot fake news narratives.

[PomPolo]

11 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Are you seriously saying the likes of Snap-on tools are on a par with garbage Chinese knockoffs that fail the first time you apply some elbow grease? 

Just to labour my point pick the company you want and read the below:

global manufacturing, especially in Asia, often blurs the lines between brand-name products and their unbranded or rebranded counterparts. Many OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) in China, Taiwan, and elsewhere produce goods for major U.S. and European brands, then turn around and sell nearly identical products (often from the same molds or tooling) under lesser-known or local brands at a fraction of the price.

Here are some clear examples where this has happened or is still happening:

---

🔧 Tool Industry

Craftsman / Stanley Black & Decker

• Craftsman tools (owned by Stanley Black & Decker) are now often made in China or Taiwan.

• Many items are identical to those sold under local brands like WorkPro, Deko, or Tacklife, which are significantly cheaper on platforms like AliExpress or Lazada.

Harbor Freight (Pittsburgh, Bauer, Hercules)

• While marketed as budget tools, many are rebranded versions of tools made by the same Chinese factories that make products for DeWalt, Makita, or Milwaukee.

• Reddit and YouTube teardown comparisons often reveal that Bauer or Hercules tools from Harbor Freight are near-identical internally to name-brand versions.

---

📺 Consumer Electronics

Apple / Foxconn

• Foxconn manufactures Apple devices but also produces nearly identical tech for Xiaomi, Oppo, and other brands that sell at a fraction of Apple’s price in Asian markets.

• Some internal components (like batteries, displays, or connectors) come from the same supply chain.

Beats by Dre

• Manufactured by contract manufacturers in China — some teardown videos have shown striking similarities between Beats internals and much cheaper headphones sold under Chinese brands.

---

🖥️ Computer Peripherals

Logitech

• Logitech mice and keyboards are often OEMed from Chinese companies like Rapoo or A4Tech.

• Some cheaper brands like Redragon or Fantech sell products with almost identical shell molds and specs at a third of the price.

---

🛠️ Automotive Parts

ACDelco, Bosch, Denso

• Many of their parts are manufactured in China or Thailand and resold by local suppliers in Asia under different names — sometimes even with the same part numbers.

• It’s common to find a $200 Bosch fuel pump in the U.S. that matches a $40 unbranded pump on Taobao.

---

🚲 Outdoor and Sports Gear

Trek / Giant

• Giant manufactures bikes for Trek and many other global brands, then sells their own bikes (with similar frames/components) under the Giant label for less.

---

Why It Happens:

1. MOQs and tooling are expensive — once a factory builds the setup for a brand, it's economical to keep using it for other clients or in-house labels.

2. IP protection in Asia is a gray area. Factories may be under loose NDAs but still "tweak and rebrand" the same product.

3. Western brands mark up for marketing, warranty, and distribution — but the factory price difference is minimal.

[placeholder]

11 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Are you seriously saying the likes of Snap-on tools are on a par with garbage Chinese knockoffs that fail the first time you apply some elbow grease? 

Back in the 50's and early 60's the same kind of comment was made about the stuff that Japan produced. As the EV market shows, China is very capable of making very high tech products. It's a huge economy and can produce a range of things.  A few years ago, Apple decided to manufacture a notebook in Texas. It didn't go well. As Apple noted, in China, you will have a roomful of engineers making suggestions. In America, there's a severe shortage of engineers.

[SHA 2 BKK]

Just now, SunnyinBangrak said:

I get as far as your 1st sentence before encountering liberal logic. Your claim that lhd cars are unable to drive on the left side of the road is one for the ages😅. I can see why you guys just parrot fake news narratives.

Mate you’ve obviously never driven from Townsville to Mount Isa - where apart from a road that stretches forever, you have to contend with, Kangaroos, Cattle, Sheep Emus and bloody long Road Trains.  
 

To allow the widespread use of left hand drive vehicles on our roads would be more suicidal than driving Rama II to Hua Hin in a Thunderstorm!  

[cjinchiangrai]

44 minutes ago, dutch boy said:

Actually these tariffs imposed by President Trump will hopefully be a good thing for us expats in Thailand. I often order products from Amazon.com in the U.S. and pay upwards of 75% tariff, sometimes more. Thailand will eventually have to reduce its insane tariffs on American goods. This will be a big positive for us expats.

You are pretty clueless if you are not using Shopee and Lazada.

[placeholder]

3 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

I get as far as your 1st sentence before encountering "liberal logic". Your claim that lhd cars are unable to drive on the left side of the road is one for the ages😅. I can see why you guys just parrot fake news narratives.

The United States imposes a 25% tariff on most imported light trucks.

[black tabby12345]

1 hour ago, BigBilly said:

Trump absolutely hates everyone and everything outside the USA, and that includes all expats.  MAGA fans who post here....yes, he hates you too even though you worship him.

 

If Trump thinks about expats, he will certainly try to find a way to screw them over like he does everyone he hates.  Luckily for us though, we don't seem to be on his radar for now, and it looks like he's got a lot of other stuff to worry about with a possible stock market crash on the way.

 

Stock market crash＝Collapse of 401K pension fund.

As it is linked to stock prices closely.

Keen to watch his supporters' response when it happens.

[SunnyinBangrak]

4 minutes ago, SHA 2 BKK said:

Mate you’ve obviously never driven from Townsville to Mount Isa - where apart from a road that stretches forever, you have to contend with, Kangaroos, Cattle, Sheep Emus and bloody long Road Trains.  
 

To allow the widespread use of left hand drive vehicles on our roads would be more suicidal than driving Rama II to Hua Hin in a Thunderstorm!  

I have driven the entire coast of Australia on an extended fishing holiday Darwin- Broome-Perth, across the Nullarbor, up the east coast to Cooktown, throught Mt.Isa ending back in Darwin. Took many months. Mostly roads are totally empty, kangaroos, flies and boredom were the problems, plus awful beer. Saw a few classic US imports up in Darwin and they were LHD not sure how that was allowed but the drivers were very much still alive.

Now, back on topic.... forcing US imports to convert to RHD is pure protectionism. The US and Europe allow RHD cars, no drama.

[LosLobo]

11 minutes ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

You cant compare tough as leather Aussie beef with Gods own melt in your mouth bursting with flavor US steaks. Like comparing a Lada with a Caddy. Think why carnivore diet is so popular in the states while Australians eat smashed avocado on toast. Amusing seeing the left concoct daft excuses for protectionism after getting called out.

In other words TRUMP WAS RIGHT😅

Beef Quality
U.S. grain-fed beef may be all about that marbling, but Aussie grass-fed and Wagyu bring their own flavor game. It’s not a "one is better" situation—just different strokes for different folks.

Dietary Habits
The whole carnivore diet vs. avocado toast debate? It’s not really a beef thing. Dietary choices are more about culture than cows—just ask anyone in either country.

Protectionism
Protectionism or smart policy? Australia's biosecurity and support for local producers are legitimate moves, not just political football.

Trump's Position
Trump being "right"? Well, that's as subjective as claiming your steak is the best—depends which side of the grill you're standing on. Trump's promises about securing peace in Ukraine and dropping food prices on day one would suggest otherwise.

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

So as we know Trump has now isolated the USA from the entire world (except for Russia, NK, etc.)

 

Still at it with this nonsense?

 

Trade with Russia and North Korea is limited and sanctioned, and essentially zero.

 

If Trump HAD added them to the new tariff list, you'd be starting threads about how stupid he is to tariff those two countries that are already heavily sanctioned.

[NoDisplayName]

2 hours ago, SunnyinBangrak said:

Jeez. They are RECIPROCAL tariffs to help reverse the giant trade defecit. Why do you keep framing things so dishonestly and with such emotion? Countries that have been taking the P will fold like wet napkins and stop their tariffs, life will go on. Calm down please for your own sake.

 

Does that include Japan and South Korea that apply 0% tariffs to US imported vehicles?

 

25% doesn't sound very reciprocal.