Trump Eyes Wave of New Trade Deals Amid 90-Day Tariff Pause

[RayC]

6 hours ago, impulse said:

 

The genius is in the simplicity if you understand that Trump's objective is to bring them to the negotiating table.  Putting more pressure on those with a higher trade imbalance just makes sense.  Those numbers are just starting points for the negotiation.  So is the 10% across the board.  They're not cast in stone.  And they sure got the attention of the trade emissaries around the world.  Who now have 90 days to think about it.

 

It absolutely gobsmacks me that expats living in a country with the 300% tariffs on US cars can't see that America has been taking it in the shorts for decades.  Since WW2.  It was fine when the rest of the world economies were on their heels after the war.  But not for the past 40 years or so.   (And with Thailand, gratitude for the Vietnam War is long past the sell by date)

 

Trouble is, once an entity gets accustomed to free stuff and sweet deals, they squeal like little girls when you try to wean them off the free stuff and sweet deals.

 

Presumably you are referring to Thailand when you speak of 300% tariffs? These rates also apply to German cars, French wine, etc. so the US is hardly being targeted.

 

Trump's strategy is unquestionably simple but it is far from a stroke of genius.

 

China have made it clear that they will not be bullied into negotiation.

 

The EU have always been willing to negotiate. It was Trump who broke off TTIP negotiations and implemented sanctions against the EU during his first term. Notwithstanding that, Trump complains that Europe does not buy US cars or agricultural produce. The reason for this has nothing to do with tariffs,  which are only 10%. In both cases, European quality standards for these sectors are higher in the Europe compared with the US. Why should the European consumer accept lower quality products just to appease Trump?

 

And how does Trump expect other nations to reduce the trade imbalance? Is Vietnam expected to swop mopeds and bicycles for Harleys? Buy more aircraft from Boeing? Buy financial services from Wall Street firms? I doubt that part of the strategy has been considered.

[RayC]

6 hours ago, FlorC said:

Nearly all countries have tariffs , why shouldn't the US?

Demand reduction is not a bad thing. Biden and covid caused more inflation.  Enough profit is already made . So yes it is worth the risk.

Now the US has had a decades long advantage by having the reserve currency though . Something Trump doesn't mention .

 

The US imposed tariffs on imports before this latest initiative so the implication that it is simply levelling the playing field is incorrect.

 

Economic growth has costs and some environmentalists might agree with you that a reduction in consumption " .. is not a bad thing". However, the overwhelming majority of economists, politicians and consumers would not.

[kwonitoy]

12 hours ago, rough diamond said:

Name them!

All that Trump's administration has said is; "Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says negotiations over tariffs are happening, and about 70 countries have called the White House since ‘Liberation Day’ to talk trade"

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says negotiations over tariffs are happening, and about 70 countries have called the White House since ‘Liberation Day’ to talk trade

 

Not quite the same as; "Over 70 countries have come to the negotiating table."

" called the White House since ‘Liberation Day’ to talk trade" is not the same as "Over 70 countries have come to the negotiating table."

 

 

 

I don't know why any country would bother, it's like lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown

 

Canada and Mexico has a trade agreement called the USMCA, it replaced the original NAFTA agreement which was about 20 years old.

 

The USMCA, short for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, is a trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada that entered into force on July 1, 2020. It replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The USMCA aims to create a more balanced and reciprocal trade environment, supporting North American workers, farmers, ranchers, and businesses. 

 

Trump loved the agreement in 2020   https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-usmca-celebration-american-workers-warren-mi/

 

The USMCA is the fairest, most balanced, and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed into law.  It’s the best agreement we’ve ever made, and we have others coming.  And, by the way, the China deal, two weeks ago, was just signed.  And that’s going to bring $250 billion into our country.  (Applause.)  One after another.

 

This year he voided the USMCA agreement bitcching about how unfair it was.

You can't negotiate with a 5 yo or trump

[save the frogs]

18 hours ago, Harrisfan said:

They never stop. Daily whiners.

they're not even just whining. they're barking now. 

 

[Eric Loh]

15 hours ago, impulse said:

 

You mean that uninhabited country that did $1.4 million in exports to the US in 2022?  Lumping them into the same 10% tariff category puts a stop to any possibility that'll ever happen again, whether that was deceit or an honest error on the paperwork.  Anyone who understands how tariffs work and the US HTC know exactly why it was done.  This is from the World Bank, 2022.

 

There are no inhabitants on the island. A simple fact that you seem to miss.

The McDonaldnians are more amused than worried by Trump's ridiculous tariffs on the island chain. 

 

reuters.com/markets/asia/tiny-australian-outpost-gets-steep-trump-tariff-despite-few-exports-2025-04-03/

[impulse]

10 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

There are no inhabitants on the island. A simple fact that you seem to miss.

The McDonaldnians are more amused than worried by Trump's ridiculous tariffs on the island chain. 

 

reuters.com/markets/asia/tiny-australian-outpost-gets-steep-trump-tariff-despite-few-exports-2025-04-03/

 

If there are no inhabitants, how did they export $1.4 million of electronics to the USA?  (not penguin poop, electronics)  Here's how...  They used the HTS code for that Island, possibly to get around duties or export restrictions.   

 

Including the islands in the blanket tariffs stops that.  It took less than a minute to include 602.9 in the order, to be programmed into the US Customs database.  That insures there will be no fooknuttery, deliberate or accidental.  That's how it works when there are adults in charge.

 

It's pretty obvious that the MSM (and a lot of posters here) know nothing about the mechanics of import/export.  Or they're being deliberately misleading or misled.  I suspect the MSM is just pushing their Orange Man Bad narrative and the lefty posters here are being led by that MSM ring through their nose.

 

 

[sandyf]

16 hours ago, rough diamond said:

What has that got to do with either my post or the Topic in general?

Apologies if it went over your head. The saying is "beware of Greeks bearing gifts", a reference to the Trojan Horse.

Deals made by Trump will be a "Trojan Horse".

They are already telling the UK they must change their laws to secure a deal, the hidden penalties will be even more unpalatable, chlorinated chicken? etc.

[FlorC]

11 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Trump thanks you and your $15,000 PR check is on the way. Maybe. He does have a bad habit of not paying his people. 

I don't need the money , thanks.

But you might need it , the NGO that paid some here , got their funds revoked. 

[Eric Loh]

11 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

If there are no inhabitants, how did they export $1.4 million of electronics to the USA?  (not penguin poop, electronics)  Here's how...  They used the HTS code for that Island, possibly to get around duties or export restrictions.   

 

Including the islands in the blanket tariffs stops that.  It took less than a minute to include 602.9 in the order, to be programmed into the US Customs database.  That insures there will be no fooknuttery, deliberate or accidental.  That's how it works when there are adults in charge.

 

It's pretty obvious that the MSM (and a lot of posters here) know nothing about the mechanics of import/export.  Or they're being deliberately misleading or misled.  I suspect the MSM is just pushing their Orange Man Bad narrative and the lefty posters here are being led by that MSM ring through their nose.

 

 

Erroneous data entry that has been widely reported. Surely you intelligent enough to believe that the uninhibited islands have electronic manufacturing facilities. 
 

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/04/revealed-how-trump-tariffs-slugged-norfolk-island-and-uninhabited-heard-and-mcdonald-islands

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

Erroneous data entry that has been widely reported. Surely you intelligent enough to believe that the uninhibited islands have electronic manufacturing facilities. 
 

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/04/revealed-how-trump-tariffs-slugged-norfolk-island-and-uninhabited-heard-and-mcdonald-islands

 

You know how you stop data errors?  You program the database to flag them.  Not coincidentally, that's also how you stop fraud and dodging tariffs by trans-shipments.

 

Do you prefer the Gold or the Stainless MSM nose rings?

 

[sandyf]

5 hours ago, RayC said:

The EU have always been willing to negotiate. It was Trump who broke off TTIP negotiations and implemented sanctions against the EU during his first term.

That is not true. Trump was insisting on the US version of ISDS, Inter State Disput Settlement, and the EU wouldn't accept it, they wanted it amending.

The US version of ISDS can allow US companies to interfere with other countries domestic legislation that doen't suit the US agenda.

Vance is already telling the UK to change it's laws if it wants a deal.

 

He has previously suggested that free speech is being undermined by laws banning hateful comments, including abuse targeting LGBT+ groups or other minorities, and sees UK legislation aimed at improving online safety as an attack on US tech giants.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/trump-free-speech-trade-deal-online-safety-b2734397.html

[NoDisplayName]

Look on the bright side - haven't seen any new threads on Thai taxation of foreigners in the past couple weeks, even as the Thai tax season came to an end.

 

With the loss of $10 Trillion from the stock market, and the devastation to pension plans and individual IRA's, not as many will be able to remit enough funds to be taxed!

 

Winning!©

[NoDisplayName]

3 hours ago, kwonitoy said:

I don't know why any country would bother, it's like lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown

 

Trump raises 'reciprocal' tariffs on Vietnam to 46%. 

Vietnam offers to drop all tariffs to 0%.

Trump regime not interested.

[NoDisplayName]

4 hours ago, kwonitoy said:

I don't know why any country would bother, it's like lucy holding the football for Charlie Brown

 

Trump raises 'reciprocal' tariffs on Japanese cars to 20%. 

Japan says they levy 0% tariffs on US cars.

Trump regime complains they don't buy LHD cars that don't fit on their streets.

[Eric Loh]

23 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Trump raises 'reciprocal' tariffs on Vietnam to 46%. 

Vietnam offers to drop all tariffs to 0%.

Trump regime not interested.

Trump will never get all the trade deals completed in 90 days as he keep changing the goal post. His trade officials involved in negotiations are all in the dark on clear policies. The Japan negotiation has grinded to a halt because Trump just willy nilly added a non trade requirement to the table. He added remuneration on military bases as aspect of the trade deal with Japan. The Japan team is blind sighted on this last minute addition. Japan Diet is frustrated with the ambiquity of the deal. This trade negotiation is far from close and going no where due to Trump idiosyncrasy.  

[Gweiloman]

8 hours ago, NoDisplayName said:

 

Trump raises 'reciprocal' tariffs on Vietnam to 46%. 

Vietnam offers to drop all tariffs to 0%.

Trump regime not interested.

+1.

 

Trumps’ “reciprocal tariffs” are nonsense, just using jargon to fool the gullible and not too smart American public. There is nothing reciprocal about it (unlike what China did which was to match America’s tariffs by exactly the same amount). Instead, it was merely a measure of the trade deficit. There is nothing inherently wrong or unfair about trade deficits or surpluses. Professors of Economics from top institutions have confirmed as much.

 

However, it is possible that too great a deficit might not be healthy. In that case, the deficit country, such as America should professionally negotiate with the surplus country, such as Japan, to try to reach an acceptable compromise. This would be the win win approach that is generally favoured by most countries.

 

However, Trump, in his ignorance, hubris and American exceptionalism (arrogance), decided to take the hard line approach. First the stick and then maybe followed by the carrot. Anyone who’s ever participated in successful negotiations or relationships knows that such an approach will instil bad feelings regardless of the outcome. Japan, being weak minded people, will almost certainly bend the knee and kiss the ass but will harbour bad feelings and will exact their revenge one day if they can, as will many other countries. This is only natural human nature. 
 

Many countries in the global south were already edging towards organisations like BRICS and China in particular. Trumps’ actions will just push them along further.

 

Long live Trump! Go for a 3rd term. You have my full support.

 

 

[NoDisplayName]

45 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

Long live Trump! Go for a 3rd term. You have my full support

 

There are methods which you could do it," Mr. Trump said in a phone interview, adding that "it is far too early to think about it." 

 

They have some of their best scientific minds working on it as we speak.

[kwonitoy]

Japanese minister hits the nail on the head

[kwonitoy]

 

Singapore Prime Minister also lays out the facts

[NoDisplayName]

Trump administration announces fees on Chinese ships docking at U.S. ports

 

Steep levies on Chinese-made ships arriving at U.S. ports have been proposed, up to as much as $1.5 million, as part of a plan to bring more ship manufacturing back to the U.S., a policy which has bipartisan support.

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/17/trump-administration-announces-fees-on-chinese-ships-docking-at-us-ports.html

 

 

Great move!  That's real 44DD chest right there!

 

China builds the boats.  Built more ships last year than the USA built since 1945.

 

$Million taxes on any ship built by China, regardless of who owns it or operates it. 

 

Oh, and also $hundreds additional for every China-manufactured shipping container, and $150 per car for car-carriers.

 

 

Smart man!  That'll bring shipbuilding back to the USA!  That or isolate the US since China built something like 95% of the current fleets on the waters.

 

Winning!©