Social Media Posted Monday at 12:03 AM Posted Monday at 12:03 AM Trump Bets the White House — and GOP Control of Congress — on Tariffs In a dramatic and risky move, President Trump has thrown his political future — and that of the Republican Party — behind a sweeping new global tariff regime that has already sent shockwaves through the economy. Dubbed “Liberation Day” by the administration, the rollout of massive new tariffs has triggered a market meltdown, wiped out trillions in value, and rattled both allies and adversaries. The numbers are stark. Last Thursday and Friday alone, $6.4 trillion in stock market value evaporated, with many Americans watching helplessly as their retirement accounts and investment portfolios took a 10% hit. The economic pain is compounded by a sense of confusion. Many wonder why, at a moment when Trump was riding high on a string of policy wins and enjoying record approval ratings, he would take such a bold gamble. Indeed, Trump’s second term had been coasting on notable victories: a crackdown on illegal immigration, a government waste audit that vindicated long-standing claims of bureaucratic fraud, and a high-profile campaign to penalize universities accused of tolerating antisemitic behavior. His firm grip on swing states and a strong economy had given Republicans a solid majority in Congress. That momentum has now been put at risk. According to a Wall Street Journal poll conducted before the market crash, voters disapproved of Trump’s economic leadership by 8 points. His handling of inflation was underwater by 15. And as prices begin to climb due to import taxes, and growth forecasts dim, the situation could worsen. JPMorgan now predicts a sharp slowdown in U.S. GDP, warning of a 60% chance of a global recession if tariffs persist. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell added fuel to the fire, cautioning that tariffs could trigger both higher inflation and reduced growth. Senator Ted Cruz didn’t mince words: “If the tariff war pushes the US into a recession, particularly a bad recession, 2026 in all likelihood politically would be a bloodbath. You would face a Democrat House, and you might even face a Democrat Senate.” Yet despite the backlash, Trump remains undeterred. For him, tariffs are not a detour but the destination — a cornerstone of his America First doctrine. The goal is to revive U.S. manufacturing, shrink the trade deficit, and force global competitors to open their markets to American goods. At a post-election celebration at Mar-a-Lago, Trump hosted CEOs, including SoftBank’s chief, who pledged a $100 billion investment in the U.S. The administration claims the tariffs will generate as much as $700 billion in federal revenue this year — enough, it argues, to help fund tax cuts and other domestic priorities. More importantly, Trump insists the tariffs are about fairness. “Why is that if you go to Tokyo, there’s no American cars, if you go to Berlin, there’s no American cars, but on our streets, we have every foreign car there is?” said White House adviser Stephen Miller. “They’ve blocked their markets from our cars. President Trump is saying that has to end.” Critics accuse the White House of weaponizing tariffs too aggressively and too quickly. Rather than a phased, targeted approach, Trump has opted for a full-scale blitz across virtually all sectors and countries. Some argue this leaves no room for adjustment and threatens to alienate not just adversaries like China but allies in Europe as well. Still, there are signs the strategy might be working. Trump revealed that Vietnam’s leadership, in a call with him Friday, expressed interest in cutting their tariffs to zero in exchange for a broader trade deal. That statement appeared to confirm what many suspected: the tariffs are a bargaining tool as much as a policy in themselves. The reaction from China was swift and furious. Beijing retaliated with its own 34% levy on U.S. goods and accused Washington of “bullying.” But even Trump’s critics admit China’s trade practices — including IP theft, forced tech transfers, and state subsidies — are longstanding and egregious. Europe, while less openly abusive, has its own trade barriers, including agricultural subsidies and high VAT taxes that hit American imports hard. In other words, Trump’s argument about unfair global trade has merit. But whether his methods will achieve the desired outcome — and whether the American economy and political system can withstand the initial blow — is another question entirely. With 19 months until the midterm elections, Trump is betting big. If the gamble pays off, he could solidify his legacy as a transformational economic nationalist. If not, the political and economic fallout could be immense — and swift. Based on a report by The NYP 2025-04-07 1 1
Popular Post JimHuaHin Posted Monday at 12:23 AM Popular Post Posted Monday at 12:23 AM One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason. 2 2 1 3 11
Popular Post Gsxrnz Posted Monday at 12:44 AM Popular Post Posted Monday at 12:44 AM Tariffs are just the blunt instrument Trump has chosen to change the globalist status quo. In one fell swoop he puts the kybosh on the US leftist political elites, the climate change anti-energy anti-human idiots, and most importantly...Chayna! The other blunt instrument in his bag was a kinetic war. he probably made the right choice. Let's give it six months for the oven timer to ping and we'll see what the cake looks like then. 3 4 3 4 3
Popular Post JonnyF Posted Monday at 01:21 AM Popular Post Posted Monday at 01:21 AM Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do. That's Democracy, baby. The likes of Starmer should pay close attention. 1 1 3 5 3
Popular Post Digitalbanana Posted Monday at 01:28 AM Popular Post Posted Monday at 01:28 AM One of democracies failings is when 51% of the electorate are idiots trapped inside their own social media echo chambers. 2 3 7
Popular Post Cryingdick Posted Monday at 01:29 AM Popular Post Posted Monday at 01:29 AM 1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said: One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason. If you hate America you would wish that. 2 3 3 3
Popular Post Tug Posted Monday at 02:03 AM Popular Post Posted Monday at 02:03 AM 33 minutes ago, Cryingdick said: If you hate America you would wish that. Rubbish 3 1 2 2 1
Popular Post Chomper Higgot Posted Monday at 12:51 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 12:51 PM 11 hours ago, JonnyF said: Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do. That's Democracy, baby. The likes of Starmer should pay close attention. Inflation down on day 1? End the war in Ukraine on day 1? Dictator on day 1! 1oo3 1 3 3 6 3
Popular Post rabang Posted Monday at 06:22 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 06:22 PM Stupid gets what stupid deserves. 1 1 4
Popular Post NoDisplayName Posted Monday at 07:11 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 07:11 PM 19 hours ago, Social Media said: “Why is that if you go to Tokyo, there’s no American cars, Yes, why is that? Shirley, it can't be that Detroit doesn't produce what Japanese consumers crave. It must be the 0% tariffs the Japanese levy on American vehicles. 3 1 1 2 3
Popular Post hotsun Posted Monday at 07:21 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 07:21 PM 19 hours ago, Social Media said: Many wonder why, at a moment when Trump was riding high on a string of policy wins and enjoying record approval ratings, he would take such a bold gamble. He was? Jeez you would never have known that with the lying media we got everyones been saying hes the lowest approval ratings ever. You can just never believe anything you see here 1 1 3
Popular Post CanadaSam Posted Monday at 07:30 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 07:30 PM To Trump: Beware the Ides of May. 5
Popular Post Purdey Posted Monday at 10:05 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 10:05 PM I don't see American cars being all that popular in Asia because they are too big, guzzle gas and expensive to maintain. Funnily enough, Fords in Europe are smaller and better made. 4 1
Popular Post rough diamond Posted Monday at 11:54 PM Popular Post Posted Monday at 11:54 PM 22 hours ago, Cryingdick said: If you hate America you would wish that. It is not a hate against America. It is a hate against Trump in my case. 3 1 1
Popular Post MicroB Posted yesterday at 12:57 AM Popular Post Posted yesterday at 12:57 AM 2 hours ago, Purdey said: I don't see American cars being all that popular in Asia because they are too big, guzzle gas and expensive to maintain. Funnily enough, Fords in Europe are smaller and better made. Plus there are some strange Fords in Japan Like in Europe, there are some Japanese buyers of American designed cars, But these will be forever niche enthusiasts Its not trade barriers that hold up sales of US cars in Japan and Europe. Korean and Japanese cars face exactly the same import duties in the UK as the US. But they have no problem selling cars, at a very competitive price. 2 1 2
Popular Post Paul Henry Posted yesterday at 06:28 AM Popular Post Posted yesterday at 06:28 AM Micro B Are you sure only a couple of days ago Trump said one reason he was tariffing Europe was they don't have any American cars. Strange though last time I was in Italy the hire company supplied me a Ford sedan! Then again Trump wouldn't lie? 2 1
Popular Post WDSmart Posted 23 hours ago Popular Post Posted 23 hours ago ...and, I hope he loses BIG TIME! 😡 1 2
Popular Post Stargeezr Posted 17 hours ago Popular Post Posted 17 hours ago I hope Trump loses his support and becomes a minority government soon. His support group do not impress me either. Maybe a croc will have him for lunch. 1 1 1
Popular Post rough diamond Posted 17 hours ago Popular Post Posted 17 hours ago 9 minutes ago, Stargeezr said: I hope Trump loses his support and becomes a minority government soon. His support group do not impress me either. Maybe a croc will have him for lunch. Pity the poor croc that gets Trump for lunch! 1 2
retayl Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago The logic of these tariffs is fatally flawed. Connecting them to trade reciprocality is a non starter. How can small and poor countries match trade with the USA dollar for dollar? 1 1
kwilco Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago Funny thing about tariffs; it's the America consumer pays them. ...and where does all the money go? = to Donald Trump's coffers. 1
TedG Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago On 4/6/2025 at 8:23 PM, JimHuaHin said: One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason. Didn't you people on the left say there would be no more elections after Trump was elected? 1
NoDisplayName Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago 6 minutes ago, retayl said: The logic of these tariffs is fatally flawed. Connecting them to trade reciprocality is a non starter. How can small and poor countries match trade with the USA dollar for dollar? Dang penguins don't buy enough tuxedos. 1
NoDisplayName Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago Trump's ultimatum includes a clear timeline for action. The additional tariffs would take effect on April 9, 2025, if China does not withdraw its 34% tariff increase by April 8, 2025. China no blink. 104% tariffs take effect tomorrow. "Trade wars are fun and easy to win."
NoDisplayName Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago According to couple of sources as of April 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM Eastern Time, the United States has implemented additional tariffs on Chinese imports, increasing the total tariff rate to 104% for certain goods. Oh, the winning, so much winning. I'm tired of all the winning. 1
thaipo7 Posted 14 hours ago Posted 14 hours ago On 4/6/2025 at 8:23 PM, JimHuaHin said: One can only hope that Trump looses again, and he and his cronies end up in prison for treason. WHY? What has he done. You never looked at Biden and all the crap he and his friends have done? Why did he have have a pre-emptive pardon for everyone. You Marxist Lefts sure don't vary in your way of thinking. Just listen to you Marxist media and propaganda and believe with a whole heart. 3
Popular Post RocketDog Posted 7 hours ago Popular Post Posted 7 hours ago 10 hours ago, rough diamond said: Pity the poor croc that gets Trump for lunch! True enough. No nutritional value in sewage. 1 2
kwilco Posted 1 hour ago Posted 1 hour ago 13 hours ago, thaipo7 said: WHY? What has he done. Unbelievble! 1
Tug Posted 21 minutes ago Posted 21 minutes ago On 4/7/2025 at 8:21 AM, JonnyF said: Trump is doing exactly what he said he would do. That's Democracy, baby. The likes of Starmer should pay close attention. That’s just dumb just what was democratic about trump deciding to stab the world in the throat?trump may well be risking more than his political career he’s cost many many many powerful people their fortunes not to mention just regular folks.wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he gets the old Benito Mussolini send off! 1
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