Trump Rejects EU’s ‘Zero Tariffs’ Offer, Vows to Erase $350bn Trade Deficit With Energy Sale

[candide]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

 

I guess that's why Von Der Leyen has immediately offered a zero for zero deal?

 

The EU love removing tariffs on imports for no reason whatsoever. 😄

 

After their disgraceful behaviour during post Brexit trade negotiations it's delicious to see them squirm. 

Easy for her. She just need to get the TTIP file that Trump 1.0 torpedoed out of a drawer.

 

[rough diamond]

59 minutes ago, kimothai said:

Actually, Pelosi said it a long time ago (about 27 years ago).  It just took a great President like Trump to do something about it.

What did she say and in what context?

Please provide the quote & link.

 

 

[kimothai]

6 minutes ago, rough diamond said:

What did she say and in what context?

Please provide the quote & link.

 

 

 

Here's your link since searching on your own is not an option for you:

 

 

[cardinalblue]

6 hours ago, Wrwest said:

Richest country on the globe with trump declaring the USA has been ripped off. I agree, what goes around comes around I thus I have trepidation of what follows the trump/Project 2025 fiasco.

Hopeful the midterm elections swing both houses but that will be too late….Vance has no chance in 2028….won’t even be on the ticket….recession will slow growth to a trickle….the number to watch will be the unemployment rate….

 

best strategy for US trading partners is to boycott US products and sell to China and Asia 

 

 

[simple1]

trump has now suspended the dramatic increase on tariffs, except for PRC, with a generic 10% for all other nations. I wonder how MAGA supporters are going to twist and turn supporting this U Turn - Lol

[stevenl]

19 minutes ago, simple1 said:

trump has now suspended the dramatic increase on tariffs, except for PRC, with a generic 10% for all other nations. I wonder how MAGA supporters are going to twist and turn supporting this U Turn - Lol

The usual nonsensical way. 'this was the plan all along ' 'trump playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers ' and similar.

[placeholder]

15 hours ago, kimothai said:

Actually, Pelosi said it a long time ago (about 27 years ago).  It just took a great President like Trump to do something about it.

The ignorance of Trump supporters is astonishing. Biden confronted China far more harshly that Trump did in his first term. And then Trump, in his second term, being the ignoramus that he is, actually denounced the CHIPs Act, which brought advanced semiconductor fabrication to the USA.

[kimothai]

2 hours ago, placeholder said:

The ignorance of Trump supporters is astonishing. Biden confronted China far more harshly that Trump did in his first term. And then Trump, in his second term, being the ignoramus that he is, actually denounced the CHIPs Act, which brought advanced semiconductor fabrication to the USA.

I don't recall Biden putting tariffs on communist China. Biden was all talk and no action. As far as your comment to "ignorance", I would expect nothing less from a lefty who's been blinded by their hate. The Democrat James Carvile characterized you lefties perfectly as "stunningly stupid". 

[candide]

40 minutes ago, kimothai said:

I don't recall Biden putting tariffs on communist China. Biden was all talk and no action. As far as your comment to "ignorance", I would expect nothing less from a lefty who's been blinded by their hate. The Democrat James Carvile characterized you lefties perfectly as "stunningly stupid". 

Your post is a good example of the ignorance of Trump supporters..

 

[placeholder]

24 minutes ago, kimothai said:

I don't recall Biden putting tariffs on communist China. Biden was all talk and no action. As far as your comment to "ignorance", I would expect nothing less from a lefty who's been blinded by their hate. The Democrat James Carvile characterized you lefties perfectly as "stunningly stupid". 

Talking about blindness

Here's a link to Biden's tax cuts.

https://archive.ph/sdqRf

And apparently you haven't heard of the CHIPS Act which promoted building advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the US. Among other things It got, Taiwan Semiconductor, the world's most advanced manufacturer of chips, to build plants in the USA.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/13/inside-tsmcs-new-chip-fab-where-apple-will-make-chips-in-the-us-.html

Which is why Donald Trump said this:

Trump’s Call to Scrap ‘Horrible’ Chip Program Spreads Panic

The CHIPS program was one of the few things to unite much of Washington in recent years, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle worked with private companies to draft a bill that would funnel $50 billion to rebuild the U.S. semiconductor industry, which makes the foundational technology used to power cars, computers and coffee makers. After President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed it into law in 2022, companies found sites in Arizona, New York and Ohio to construct new factories. The Commerce Department vetted those plans and began to dole out billions of dollars in grants.

Now, Mr. Trump is threatening to upend years of work. Chip company executives, worried that funding could be clawed back, are calling lawyers to ask what wiggle room the administration has to terminate signed contracts, said eight people familiar with the requests.

https://archive.ph/wxSv7

And here's some other actions that the Biden Administration took against China:

 

Day 52: March 12, 2021 – Five Chinese companies including Huawei are backlisted by US telecom regulator

Day 62: March 22, 2021 – EU, US, UK, and Canada sanctions China over alleged Xinjiang human rights issue

Day 79: April 8, 2021 – US blacklists seven Chinese supercomputing entities

Day 134: June 3, 2021 – Biden expands Trump-era ban on American investment into Chinese firms

Day 145: June 14, 2021 – NATO shifts focus to China, declaring it a global security challenge

Day 154: June 23, 2021 – US bans imports of solar panel material from Xinjiang

Day 170: July 9, 2021 – US adds 23 Chinese companies to economic blacklist

Day 175: July 14, 2021 – US Senate passes bill to ban all products from Xinjiang

Day 275: October 22, 2021 – US intelligence officials warn companies in 5 key tech sectors on China

Day 308: November 24, 2021 – US blacklists Chinese quantum computing companies

Day 316: December 2, 2021 – US finalizes rules enabling it to delist Chinese firms

Day 322: December 8, 2021 – US bans all imports from China’s Xinjiang

Day 324: December 10, 2021 – China’s top AI firm lands on US’s investment blacklist

Day 330: December 16, 2021 – US treasury department blacklists eight Chinese companies

Day 330: December 16, 2021 – US commerce department adds 34 more Chinese entities on its entity list

Day 383: February 7, 2022 – US adds 33 Chinese entities to its “unverified list”

Day 489: May 24, 2022 – US President Biden indicates a willingness to defend Taiwan militarily.

Day 517: June 21, 2022 – US ban on Xinjiang imports takes effect.

Day 562: August 5, 2022 – China cancels and suspends several US-China talks and areas of cooperation, sanctions Nancy Pelosi.

Day 580: August 23, 2022 – the US adds another seven China entities to its export control list

Day 625 to 631: October 7 – 13, 2022: US Department of Commerce implements new export controls on advanced computing and semiconductors to China.

Day 694: December 15, 2022 – US regulators gain access to audit documents of US-listed Chinese companies.

Day 771: March 2, 2023 – US Commerce Department Adds 28 Chinese Companies to Entity List.

Day 785: March 16, 2023 – US Auditors to Reportedly Launch Another Round of On-Site Inspections of Accounting Firms in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Day 812 (April 12, 2023): US Department of Commerce Imposes Export Controls on 12 More Chinese Companies.

Day 861 (May 30, 2023): US Treasury Department Sanctions 13 Chinese Entities and Individuals for Alleged Connection with Fentanyl Production.

Day 932 (August 9, 2023): President Biden Issues Executive Order Restricting US Investments in Chinese Tech.

Day 1001 (October 17, 2023): US Further Tightens Export Controls of Advanced Chips to China

Day 1149 (March 13, 2024): US House of Representatives Passes Bill to Ban TikTok

Day 1191 (April 24, 2024): Joe Biden Signs Bill that will Force ByteDance to Divest from TikTok Following Senate Approval.

Day 1,211 (May 14, 2024): US Set to Increase Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Solar Panels, Semiconductors, and More Following Review of Section 301 Tariffs.

Day 1325 (September 5, 2024): US Commerce Department Implements Export Controls for Quantum Computing and Other Advanced Technologies.

Day 1333 (September 13, 2024): USTR Finalizes China Tariff Actions Following Four-Year Review, Announces Significant Increases

October 28, 2024: US Issues Final Rules on Investment Restrictions Against China, Chinese Ministry of Commerce Responds

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/us-china-relations-in-the-biden-era-a-timeline/

[Mavideol]

and Trump just gave some countries a grace period of 90 days, when asked why, the answer was " that's the art of the deal" at least he didn't say that he had been sarcastic when he started the "liberation day"

[kimothai]

8 hours ago, candide said:

Your post is a good example of the ignorance of Trump supporters..

 

I would expect nothing less from a stunningly stupid lefty

[PomPolo]

With a bit of luck in the next few months Trump will be impeached and Musk will be asked to step down as Tesla CEO before they go bankrupt.

[kimothai]

8 hours ago, placeholder said:

Talking about blindness

Here's a link to Biden's tax cuts.

https://archive.ph/sdqRf

And apparently you haven't heard of the CHIPS Act which promoted building advanced semiconductor manufacturing in the US. Among other things It got, Taiwan Semiconductor, the world's most advanced manufacturer of chips, to build plants in the USA.

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/13/inside-tsmcs-new-chip-fab-where-apple-will-make-chips-in-the-us-.html

Which is why Donald Trump said this:

Trump’s Call to Scrap ‘Horrible’ Chip Program Spreads Panic

The CHIPS program was one of the few things to unite much of Washington in recent years, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle worked with private companies to draft a bill that would funnel $50 billion to rebuild the U.S. semiconductor industry, which makes the foundational technology used to power cars, computers and coffee makers. After President Joseph R. Biden Jr. signed it into law in 2022, companies found sites in Arizona, New York and Ohio to construct new factories. The Commerce Department vetted those plans and began to dole out billions of dollars in grants.

Now, Mr. Trump is threatening to upend years of work. Chip company executives, worried that funding could be clawed back, are calling lawyers to ask what wiggle room the administration has to terminate signed contracts, said eight people familiar with the requests.

https://archive.ph/wxSv7

And here's some other actions that the Biden Administration took against China:

 

Day 52: March 12, 2021 – Five Chinese companies including Huawei are backlisted by US telecom regulator

Day 62: March 22, 2021 – EU, US, UK, and Canada sanctions China over alleged Xinjiang human rights issue

Day 79: April 8, 2021 – US blacklists seven Chinese supercomputing entities

Day 134: June 3, 2021 – Biden expands Trump-era ban on American investment into Chinese firms

Day 145: June 14, 2021 – NATO shifts focus to China, declaring it a global security challenge

Day 154: June 23, 2021 – US bans imports of solar panel material from Xinjiang

Day 170: July 9, 2021 – US adds 23 Chinese companies to economic blacklist

Day 175: July 14, 2021 – US Senate passes bill to ban all products from Xinjiang

Day 275: October 22, 2021 – US intelligence officials warn companies in 5 key tech sectors on China

Day 308: November 24, 2021 – US blacklists Chinese quantum computing companies

Day 316: December 2, 2021 – US finalizes rules enabling it to delist Chinese firms

Day 322: December 8, 2021 – US bans all imports from China’s Xinjiang

Day 324: December 10, 2021 – China’s top AI firm lands on US’s investment blacklist

Day 330: December 16, 2021 – US treasury department blacklists eight Chinese companies

Day 330: December 16, 2021 – US commerce department adds 34 more Chinese entities on its entity list

Day 383: February 7, 2022 – US adds 33 Chinese entities to its “unverified list”

Day 489: May 24, 2022 – US President Biden indicates a willingness to defend Taiwan militarily.

Day 517: June 21, 2022 – US ban on Xinjiang imports takes effect.

Day 562: August 5, 2022 – China cancels and suspends several US-China talks and areas of cooperation, sanctions Nancy Pelosi.

Day 580: August 23, 2022 – the US adds another seven China entities to its export control list

Day 625 to 631: October 7 – 13, 2022: US Department of Commerce implements new export controls on advanced computing and semiconductors to China.

Day 694: December 15, 2022 – US regulators gain access to audit documents of US-listed Chinese companies.

Day 771: March 2, 2023 – US Commerce Department Adds 28 Chinese Companies to Entity List.

Day 785: March 16, 2023 – US Auditors to Reportedly Launch Another Round of On-Site Inspections of Accounting Firms in Hong Kong and Mainland China.

Day 812 (April 12, 2023): US Department of Commerce Imposes Export Controls on 12 More Chinese Companies.

Day 861 (May 30, 2023): US Treasury Department Sanctions 13 Chinese Entities and Individuals for Alleged Connection with Fentanyl Production.

Day 932 (August 9, 2023): President Biden Issues Executive Order Restricting US Investments in Chinese Tech.

Day 1001 (October 17, 2023): US Further Tightens Export Controls of Advanced Chips to China

Day 1149 (March 13, 2024): US House of Representatives Passes Bill to Ban TikTok

Day 1191 (April 24, 2024): Joe Biden Signs Bill that will Force ByteDance to Divest from TikTok Following Senate Approval.

Day 1,211 (May 14, 2024): US Set to Increase Tariffs on Chinese EVs, Solar Panels, Semiconductors, and More Following Review of Section 301 Tariffs.

Day 1325 (September 5, 2024): US Commerce Department Implements Export Controls for Quantum Computing and Other Advanced Technologies.

Day 1333 (September 13, 2024): USTR Finalizes China Tariff Actions Following Four-Year Review, Announces Significant Increases

October 28, 2024: US Issues Final Rules on Investment Restrictions Against China, Chinese Ministry of Commerce Responds

https://www.china-briefing.com/news/us-china-relations-in-the-biden-era-a-timeline/

I didn't comment on the chips because I was talking about tariffs.  But in regard to chips chat gpt says;

Former President Donald Trump has criticized the CHIPS and Science Act, labeling it a "horrible, horrible thing" and advocating for its repeal. His primary concerns are that the Act allocates substantial funds to semiconductor companies without ensuring they will build manufacturing facilities in the United States. Trump argues that these companies receive significant financial support but may not fulfill commitments to domestic production. EconoTimes+10Tom's Hardware+10Yahoo Finance+10WIRED+5Business Insider+5Tom's Hardware+5

Instead of providing subsidies, Trump prefers using tariffs as a strategy to encourage semiconductor manufacturers to establish operations in the U.S. He believes that imposing tariffs would be a more effective method to incentivize companies to relocate production domestically. Times Union+1Business Insider+1Fox Business

Despite his criticism of the CHIPS Act, the Trump administration has taken steps to oversee its implementation more effectively. An executive order established the U.S. Investment Accelerator office within the Commerce Department, tasked with expediting corporate investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing by reducing regulations and coordinating with federal agencies. Data Center Dynamics+7Computerworld+7EconoTimes+7

In summary, Trump's denunciation of the CHIPS Act stems from his belief that the legislation provides unwarranted subsidies to wealthy corporations without guaranteeing domestic manufacturing benefits. He advocates for alternative measures, such as tariffs, to promote U.S.-based semiconductor production

 

In regard to your list of tax cuts, I said I don't recall Biden putting tariffs on Communist China.  Which one on that list is a tariff?

[placeholder]

26 minutes ago, kimothai said:

I didn't comment on the chips because I was talking about tariffs.  But in regard to chips chat gpt says;

Former President Donald Trump has criticized the CHIPS and Science Act, labeling it a "horrible, horrible thing" and advocating for its repeal. His primary concerns are that the Act allocates substantial funds to semiconductor companies without ensuring they will build manufacturing facilities in the United States. Trump argues that these companies receive significant financial support but may not fulfill commitments to domestic production. EconoTimes+10Tom's Hardware+10Yahoo Finance+10WIRED+5Business Insider+5Tom's Hardware+5

Instead of providing subsidies, Trump prefers using tariffs as a strategy to encourage semiconductor manufacturers to establish operations in the U.S. He believes that imposing tariffs would be a more effective method to incentivize companies to relocate production domestically. Times Union+1Business Insider+1Fox Business

Despite his criticism of the CHIPS Act, the Trump administration has taken steps to oversee its implementation more effectively. An executive order established the U.S. Investment Accelerator office within the Commerce Department, tasked with expediting corporate investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing by reducing regulations and coordinating with federal agencies. Data Center Dynamics+7Computerworld+7EconoTimes+7

In summary, Trump's denunciation of the CHIPS Act stems from his belief that the legislation provides unwarranted subsidies to wealthy corporations without guaranteeing domestic manufacturing benefits. He advocates for alternative measures, such as tariffs, to promote U.S.-based semiconductor production

 

In regard to your list of tax cuts, I said I don't recall Biden putting tariffs on Communist China.  Which one on that list is a tariff?

For some reason I wrote "tax cuts" when I meant to write "tariffs"

Here's the link again

https://archive.ph/sdqRf

 

But the fact is it did bring about the building of semiconducting factories in the US. And it was a bipartisan backed bill. I've included a link to an article by Chris Miller a member of the politically conservative American Enterprise Institute and the author of Chip War:

The Chips Act has been surprisingly successful so far
More than halfway through its incentives spending, the US will have far greater scope to manage shocks

https://archive.ph/sKSBs#selection-1401.0-1407.102

 

And just because you didn't mention other actions taken against China, doesn't mean that they aren't valid evidence that shows the Biden Administration taking a strong stance.

[kimothai]

10 minutes ago, placeholder said:

For some reason I wrote "tax cuts" when I meant to write "tariffs"

Here's the link again

https://archive.ph/sdqRf

 

But the fact is it did bring about the building of semiconducting factories in the US. And it was a bipartisan backed bill. I've included a link to an article by Chris Miller a member of the politically conservative American Enterprise Institute and the author of Chip War:

The Chips Act has been surprisingly successful so far
More than halfway through its incentives spending, the US will have far greater scope to manage shocks

https://archive.ph/sKSBs#selection-1401.0-1407.102

 

And just because you didn't mention other actions taken against China, doesn't mean that they aren't valid evidence that shows the Biden Administration taking a strong stance.

Ok, I see Biden did do some tariffs.  So, all this lefty criticism of Trump's tariffs is unwarranted because the tariffs are a policy of the left.  Trump is just continuing what the left started.  

[NoDisplayName]

On 4/8/2025 at 2:46 PM, CharlieH said:

“They’ll buy our energy

 

We didn't blow up Nordstream for nothing!

 

Winning!©

[NoDisplayName]

19 minutes ago, placeholder said:

For some reason I wrote "tax cuts" when I meant to write "tariffs"

 

No biggie.

 

Trump also says "tariffs" when he means "taxes on the American consumer."

 

Winning!©

[placeholder]

11 minutes ago, kimothai said:

Ok, I see Biden did do some tariffs.  So, all this lefty criticism of Trump's tariffs is unwarranted because the tariffs are a policy of the left.  Trump is just continuing what the left started.  

Nonsense. Supporting tariffs against China is not the same as supporting tariffs against virtually the entire rest of the world. And supporting some tariffs against China is not the same as supporting these high level of tariffs. And as my list showed, there are other ways of going after China.

[mrwebb8825]

On 4/8/2025 at 2:46 AM, CharlieH said:

• EU Pushback: Brussels disputes the $350bn figure and prepares 25% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. steel/aluminum, set for a Wednesday vote.

 

Why It Matters:
The collapse of negotiations risks escalating the transatlantic trade war, with EU officials warning of “extremely aggressive” countermeasures if talks fail. Trump’s focus on energy exports—a sector Europe has historically resisted—reflects a hardline strategy to rebalance trade through unilateral demands.

Didn't know Brussels was an independent country.

 

"This is our offer, take it or else" is not going to get the EU very far at the table. When they stop strutting around, puffing out their chests and slapping each other on the back they'll realize that nobody cared what they threatened.

[RayC]

2 hours ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Didn't know Brussels was an independent country.

 

"This is our offer, take it or else" is not going to get the EU very far at the table. When they stop strutting around, puffing out their chests and slapping each other on the back they'll realize that nobody cared what they threatened.

 

Given that the EU bloc is the US's biggest trading partner, maybe Trump should get the best china out and invite v.d. Leyden round for tea. If not, the other China might try its' own reset of world trade.

 

Btw: Brussels is the capital of Belgium but also where the (majority of) EU institutions are HQ'ed hence the use of Brussels to mean the EU.

 

 

[StandardIssue]

Trump's tarffis make no sense. The formula they used is totally flawed and is for show to "wow" his slow thinking supporters that he has actually thought out the policies.

 

Here's an excellent overview of how flawed and nonsensical Trumps tariff "chart" and justification is. He must have believed some good looking authority he thought was "a very smart guy" and came up with these stupid big card board posters and tariff figures.

 

 

[kimothai]

12 hours ago, placeholder said:

Nonsense. Supporting tariffs against China is not the same as supporting tariffs against virtually the entire rest of the world. And supporting some tariffs against China is not the same as supporting these high level of tariffs. And as my list showed, there are other ways of going after China.

I see it as much like "the pot calling the kettle black".  As I write this the tariffs have been paused and just about everybody has come to the table (except communist China).  For Trump this is "mission accomplished".

[placeholder]

13 minutes ago, kimothai said:

I see it as much like "the pot calling the kettle black".  As I write this the tariffs have been paused and just about everybody has come to the table (except communist China).  For Trump this is "mission accomplished".

Because misery loves company?. Just because they've come to talk doesn't mean they've come to concede.

[placeholder]

11 hours ago, mrwebb8825 said:

Didn't know Brussels was an independent country.

 

"This is our offer, take it or else" is not going to get the EU very far at the table. When they stop strutting around, puffing out their chests and slapping each other on the back they'll realize that nobody cared what they threatened.

But nobody might start to care once they put their threat into action. As we've seen from Trump's retreat, reality has a way of catching up on those who live in denial .

 

[kimothai]

8 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Because misery loves company?. Just because they've come to talk doesn't mean they've come to concede.

And on that note, you are very correct, but time will tell.  I suspect it may very well be a rollercoaster ride (tariffs on/off).  I firmly believe Trump will reset the world trade to make it fairer for America but as before, "time will tell".

[hotsun]

On 4/9/2025 at 12:01 AM, JonnyF said:

 

I guess that's why Von Der Leyen has immediately offered a zero for zero deal?

 

The EU love removing tariffs on imports for no reason whatsoever. 😄

 

After their disgraceful behaviour during post Brexit trade negotiations it's delicious to see them squirm. 

Look at all the euros getting upset at you. Priceless

[Wrwest]

On 4/9/2025 at 4:41 PM, kimothai said:

Actually, Pelosi said it a long time ago (about 27 years ago).  It just took a great President like Trump to do something about it.

"... a great president... ". You are not going to be happy with the continuing documented history.

[FritsSikkink]

On 4/9/2025 at 1:17 PM, JonnyF said:

 

You think American consumers are just going to keep buying EU products like German cars at these new inflated prices? 😄

 

 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/04/germany-car-industry-faces-up-to-trump-tariffs

Just buy your unsafe USA ones.

[carlyai]

On 4/9/2025 at 2:42 PM, simple1 said:

MAGA people really do need a reality check; refer below...

 

The European Commission says it charges an average tariff of just 1% on US products entering the EU market, "considering the actual trade in goods". It adds that the US administration collected approximately €7 billion of tariffs on EU products in 2023 compared to the EU's €3 billion on US goods.

And this is where they ALL stuff up.

7 billion and 3 billion in TARIFFS?

Good on Trump to try and get rid of the deficit (if that's what this all is about).

Just trade on your merits. 

10 billion in tariffs. ?????

These big companies, unions and politicians influence the law in their favour. Just try a bit harder and ban all tariffs.

It's all BS and a RESET is needed.