Tag: tariffs

  • Empty Ports a ‘good thing’?

    Can you believe the Longshoremen’s Union actually supported Donald Trump after he promised to slap massive tariffs on countries? Did they not realize that fewer ships at ports would mean fewer jobs for their union members? It’s like shooting yourself in the foot and then wondering why you can’t walk!

    Chinese freight vessels are avoiding the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach like the plague, thanks to Trump’s tariffs. The trade war and recession fears are hitting major ports hard, with a significant drop in container vessel traffic. It’s like watching a sinking ship in slow motion.

    Despite the obvious negative impact on jobs and the economy, Trump seems unfazed. When warned about the consequences for truckers and dock workers, he actually praised the downturn, claiming it means the country isn’t “losing money.” Because, you know, less ships from China is definitely a win in Trump’s book.

    ILA President Harold Daggett must be thrilled with Trump now. I mean, who wouldn’t love a president who puts American working people last while claiming to be their greatest friend? With friends like Trump, who needs enemies, right?

    The ILA Leader said his union now regards President Donald Trump as one of the greatest friends of Organized Labor and champion of the working men and women of this country. ILA President Harold Daggett

    The reality is crystal clear: these tariffs are not about putting ‘America First’ – they’re about putting American workers dead last. They’re a recipe for job losses, higher costs, and economic instability that will hit every corner of the country. But hey, at least we’re losing less money, right? Thanks, Trump!

  • Trumps New Deal Triples Taxes On Americans 

    History Lesson on Tariffs and Taxes, Boston Tea Party.

    Trump is proudly touting a new deal that will have Americans shelling out three times the amount in taxes for British products. How exciting! Who doesn’t love paying more for the same stuff they bought last year?

    According to Trump’s trusty chart, this new trade agreement with the United Kingdom will rake in a whopping $6 billion in “external revenue” – a fancy term for the extra cash U.S. Customs will be collecting from American importers. The cherry on top? A nice, round 10% tax rate on nearly all goods, which is three times higher than what we were previously paying for goods from across the pond. Thanks, Trump!

    Economist Justin Wolfers from the University of Michigan is absolutely ecstatic about this new tariff, describing it as “ridiculously high”! Tariffs are taxes, plain and simple, and their impact cannot be underestimated.

    But fear not, dear consumers! Our beloved importers will graciously pass along these added taxes in the form of higher prices, ensuring that we get to enjoy the full benefits of this new deal. It’s like a gift that keeps on giving – straight from our wallets to the government’s coffers.

    And let’s not forget Trump’s impressive grasp of how tariffs work. Who needs a history lesson on the Boston Tea Party when we have a president who thinks he can single-handedly impose taxes on incoming goods? Congress? Who needs ’em! The real heroes here are the spineless Republicans who are too busy cowering in the shadows to stand up for us hardworking Americans.

    So here’s to Trump and his brilliant new deal – may our wallets be forever empty and our British goods forever overpriced. Cheers!

  • The Truth About Canada’s Trade Deficit with the US … What Trump is Not Saying

    A lot of people don’t really get the whole trade deficit situation with Canada that Donald Trump keeps bringing up, plus the tariffs he’s slapped on Canadian goods. Honestly, this trade setup is pretty complicated, and we think Trump doesn’t really grasp all the little details.

    Canada and the US have one of the closest economic relationships in the world, with billions of dollars worth of goods and services exchanged between the two countries every year. However, there is a common belief that Canada consistently runs a trade deficit with its southern neighbor. But is this true?

    First, it’s important to understand what a trade deficit is. A trade deficit occurs when a country imports more goods and services than it exports to other countries. This means that the country is spending more on foreign goods and services than it is earning from exports.

    When it comes to Canada’s trade relationship with the US, the numbers can be interpreted in different ways. On one hand, it’s true that Canada imports more goods from the US than it exports. In 2019, for example, Canada imported $314.2 billion worth of goods from the US, while it only exported $266.9 billion worth of goods to the US. This would appear to show a trade deficit of $47.3 billion.

    However, when it comes to trade in services, the picture is different. In 2019, Canada exported $61.3 billion worth of services to the US, while it imported $53.5 billion worth of services. This means that Canada had a surplus in trade in services with the US of $7.8 billion.

    When you add the trade in goods and services together, the overall picture changes. In 2019, Canada’s total exports to the US were $328.2 billion, while its total imports from the US were $367.7 billion. This would appear to show a trade deficit of $39.5 billion.

    But it’s important to note that this trade deficit includes the cost of oil and other energy products that Canada imports from the US. If you exclude these products, Canada’s trade deficit with the US is significantly smaller.

    Furthermore, it’s important to consider the broader economic context. Canada and the US are each other’s largest trading partners, and the flow of goods and services between the two countries is highly integrated. Many of the goods that Canada imports from the US are used as inputs in Canadian exports, and vice versa. This means that the trade relationship between the two countries is more complex than simply looking at the value of imports and exports.

    In conclusion, while it’s true that Canada imports more goods from the US than it exports, the picture is more nuanced when you consider trade in services and the broader economic context. When you add trade in goods and services together, Canada does have a trade deficit with the US, but it’s smaller than it might first appear. And when you exclude energy products, the trade deficit is even smaller. Ultimately, the trade relationship between Canada and the US is highly integrated and benefits both countries.

  • Fact-checking President Trump on two important false claims he makes about Canada

    First, Trump claims that Canada is a high-tariff country. However, the reality is that Canada was ranked 102nd out of 137 countries in terms of average tariffs. In fact, Canada has lower average tariffs than the United States. Trump often focuses on Canada’s agricultural tariffs, specifically highlighting the high dairy tariffs. What he fails to mention is that these high dairy tariffs only apply after a certain quantity of tariff-free U.S. exports to Canada, a quantity that was negotiated in the USMCA agreement. The U.S. is nowhere near reaching these maximum quantities.

    Secondly, Trump claimed that Canada spends less money on its military than practically any nation in the world. The truth is that Canada is actually the 16th highest military spender globally. So, while the president may use the word “practically,” Canada is far from being one of the world’s lowest military spenders.

    It is evident that President Trump’s misinformation is causing leaders of most countries to take his statements with a grain of salt.

  • Tariffs Affect Holiday Gift Budgets

    It is difficult for the writers of this blog to admit, but Former Vice President Mike Pence is correct on this particular issue. Former Vice President Mike Pence recently stated that keeping toys affordable is a crucial aspect of the American dream. President Donald Trump has suggested that American families may need to adjust to living with fewer toys due to his trade policies.

    President Trump expressed that young girls do not need an excessive amount of dolls and can be content with a few. Mattel, the company behind Barbie dolls, has announced potential price increases to offset the impact of Trump’s tariffs. As American families face rising prices across the board due to these tariffs, they may need to scale back on holiday gifts to accommodate for the increased costs.

    The Trump administration’s decision to implement broad-based tariffs against various countries, without targeting those who have been exploiting trade relationships, is concerning. These policies may lead to inflation, negatively impacting consumers and the overall American economy. Instead of a strategic approach to trade and tariffs, President Trump appears to be adopting a reckless “break everything and see what happens” mentality.

    It is important to recognize that this approach could result in significant financial burdens for the average American consumer, while also leading to reduced services. All of this is being done to provide tax breaks for billionaires.

  • The Grinch Trump that is Stealing Christmas

    The looming threat of empty shelves is becoming a reality as American businesses react to President Donald Trump’s unpredictable trade policies. With orders from China being cancelled, expansion plans put on hold, and uncertainty looming, consumers may soon face shortages of everyday household goods and accessories.

    President Trump’s trade war has caused chaos in supply chains, with massive import taxes being imposed and then abruptly changed or suspended. This uncertainty is leading to higher costs and economic instability, with consumers feeling the impact and economists warning of recession risks.

    Despite the potential economic consequences, President Trump has shown a lack of concern for the average American, as evidenced by his recent comments minimizing the impact of his policies on consumers.

     Trump said. “Well, maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls, you know? And maybe the two dolls will cost a couple of bucks more than they would normally.”

    The recent job report also reflects a cautious approach by businesses, with job growth slowing amid tariff uncertainty.

    The recent economic data, including a 0.3% drop in the U.S. economy in the first quarter of the year, highlights the disruptive nature of President Trump’s trade policies. By upending decades of American trade policy and imposing tariffs on a wide range of products, including a staggering 145% tariff on Chinese goods, President Trump is reshaping the global trade landscape.

    As we approach the holiday season, the impact of President Trump’s trade policies may become even more apparent. Instead of the Grinch stealing Christmas, it may be President Trump’s trade policies that leave consumers facing shortages and higher prices.

  • President Trump’s Claims do Not Align with Reality

    President Trump has been making inaccurate claims regarding the prices of everyday items such as gas and groceries. Despite his assertions, Americans are beginning to experience surcharges on certain items due to his tariff increases.

    Trump has repeatedly stated that gas prices dropped to a low of $1.98 per gallon. However, GasBuddy, a company that monitors prices at over 150,000 gas stations nationwide, has not found any evidence of a gas station selling gas for that price in April. The lowest price they could confirm was $2.19 at a gas station in Texas. Additionally, Trump’s claim that gas prices are currently at their lowest level since his first term is false, as gas prices were lower during the first six months of President Biden’s term.

    Regarding grocery prices, Trump has also claimed that they have decreased since he took office. However, data from the Consumer Price Index shows that the average cost of groceries in March actually increased by 0.49% from the previous month and by 2.4% compared to the previous year. Prices of beef, poultry, eggs, and nonalcoholic beverages all rose in March.

    These price increases occurred before the president imposed a baseline 10% tariff on goods from most countries in early April, as well as tariffs as high as 145% on imports from China. Economists anticipate that prices of certain grocery items, such as coffee and chocolate, will rise as a result of these tariffs. Retail prices for consumers are currently at record highs, with Bureau of Labor Statistics data showing that average retail egg prices reached $6.23 per dozen in March, surpassing the previous record of $5.90 set in February.

    It is evident that President Trump’s claims do not align with reality, as he appears to fabricate facts to suit his narrative. 

  • Trump’s Mission: Dismantling America’s 20th Century Achievements

    Trump is on a mission to become the anti-FDR, aiming to dismantle the very foundation of the country that was built during the 20th century. The repercussions of his actions are already being felt, with the U.S. economy shrinking by 0.3% in the first quarter due to the uncertainty surrounding Trump’s policies.

    In his first 100 days in office, President Donald Trump has launched a relentless attack on the government, civil society, civil rights laws, desegregation efforts, foreign alliances, anti-corruption laws, and the global economy. He is tearing apart the very fabric of America’s identity, rooted in the belief that “all men are created equal.”

    As Trump embarks on his second term, the U.S. economy has already taken a hit, contracting in the first three months of 2025 due to a surge in imports triggered by his reckless trade war. This marks the first quarter of negative growth since 2022, signaling a dangerous path ahead.

    The 20th century was a time of unparalleled prosperity and influence for the United States, fueled by initiatives like the New Deal and the Civil Rights Movement. These efforts made America richer, more equal, more educated, and more successful than ever before. However, Trump’s administration is determined to reverse this progress, disregarding the principles of democracy and the rule of law in favor of a regressive agenda.

    Trump’s ultimate goal is to dismantle the achievements of the 20th century and replace them with a society that is isolated, unequal, impoverished, uneducated, and undemocratic. The destruction of scientific research under his administration is just one example of his relentless efforts to undermine progress and knowledge.

    As the country stands at a crossroads, the stakes could not be higher. Will America succumb to Trump’s destructive vision, or will it rise up to defend the values that have defined it for generations? The future of the nation hangs in the balance.

  • Chaotic First 100 Days

    As we reflect on President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office, it’s abundantly clear that his reign has been nothing short of a chaotic whirlwind. With a staggering 142 executive orders under his belt, it’s no wonder the American people are feeling a bit overwhelmed.

    His reckless style of governing is nothing short of chaotic, sparking a cascade of destabilization in global affairs that will inevitably wreak havoc on our homeland security and cripple our manufacturing sector, threatening countless jobs in the process.

    From pardoning Capitol rioters to picking fights with our closest allies, Trump has certainly kept us on our toes. And let’s not forget his failed promise to lower grocery prices – a real nail-biter for those 2024 voters, I’m sure.

    The so-called “Liberation Day,” the financial markets plummeted into chaos — and they showed no signs of recovery. Almost immediately, other nations sprang into action, declaring punitive tariffs that threw a wrench into the works. Retailers cried out about skyrocketing prices and looming supply shortages, while economists ominously warned that these tariffs would unleash a torrent of inflationary pressures.

    A critical dilemma has emerged — the very foundation of the tariffs strategy is engulfed in a haze of confusion and uncertainty. His relentless back-and-forth on tariffs, one moment slapping them on, the next lifting them, has not only stalled the global supply chain but has also driven prices upward across the board, leaving American consumers to bear the brunt of this turmoil.

    The crucial electoral peril in Trump’s strategy lies in its neglect of voters yearning for real solutions to pressing kitchen-table concerns—they are left feeling utterly overlooked and disheartened. A recent CBS News/YouGov poll unveiled on Sunday reveals a staggering 69 percent of Americans claiming that the Trump administration is failing to adequately address the critical issue of rising prices.

    The most breathtaking moment of Trump’s foreign policy during his first 100 days unfolded on February 28, when President Trump and Vice President Vance launched an intense confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, sending ripples of shock and disbelief across the globe. With fervor, Trump and Vance insisted that Zelensky was failing to adequately convey the gratitude owed for the unwavering American support amid the harrowing Russian invasion in February 2022. Never before in our history has a President sided with one of our adversaries, Russia, against our steadfast ally, Ukraine.

    Trump, who brazenly claimed he could end the war in a mere day, now teeters on the brink of forsaking the very negotiations that might achieve this lofty ambition. A recent New York Times/Siena College poll lays bare a grim truth: a mere 35 percent of registered voters endorse Trump’s war strategy in Ukraine, while an alarming 56 percent vehemently disapprove. His failure to present a viable plan is nothing short of shocking.

    Federal judges in over 120 cases have tried to put a stop to Trump’s antics—judges from both sides of the aisle, including some he himself appointed—but their orders are being blatantly ignored or appealed by the regime. To add insult to injury, they’ve even gone so far as to arrest a municipal judge in Milwaukee who dared to simply attempt to hear a case involving an undocumented defendant.

    Then there is Elon Musk and DOGE. His partial Track record:

    • Accidentally fired, and tried to rehire, employees at the National Animal Health Laboratory Network who were working on the administration’s response to bird flu. 
    • Fired, and scrambled to rehire, people responsible for maintaining the nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile.
    • Fired, and then un-fired, workers at the Environmental Protection Agency. 
    • Fired, and then rehired, people responsible for ensuring the safety of medical devices. 
    • Fired workers at the Small Business Administration, then un-fired them, and then fired them again
    • Accidentally fired people who had already taken a buyout offer
    • Tried to fire 22 US attorneys, but sent the termination emails to the wrong addresses.
    • Mistakenly” gave the “normalize Indian hate” guy the power to rewrite Treasury payment systems. 
    • Accidentally published classified information about the National Reconnaissance Office.
    • Shared an unclassified list of new CIA employees via email
    • Tried to sell a government complex that includes a secret CIA facility. 
    • Inadvertently put both the Justice Department and the FBI headquarters up for sale.

    Despite his best efforts to shake things up, Trump’s approval rating is plummeting faster than a lead balloon. With only 39% of the population giving him a thumbs up, it’s safe to say he’s not exactly winning any popularity contests.

    But hey, at least he’s consistent in one thing – consistently disappointing. According to a recent survey, even his own party members are starting to question his leadership. So, here’s to another 100 days of chaos and confusion. 

  • Trump Vowed to Slash Food Prices on His First Day: HE LIED

    Grocery prices have not budged an inch, not even a smidgen.

    Picture this: Donald Trump, standing at his New Jersey golf course last summer, surrounded by a table overflowing with food items. He dramatically declared that grocery prices had “skyrocketed” and vowed to fix it ( Day One) if re-elected. Spoiler alert: he didn’t.

    In his first 100 days back in office, Trump has been a busy bee. He’s managed to disrupt the lives of federal workers, condemn migrants to a life behind bars in El Salvador, and even switch sides in the Ukraine war. Oh, and let’s not forget about the trillions lost from retirement accounts and the looming trade-war-induced recession. 

    Not only have grocery prices been on the rise since Trump took office, but the inflation rate for groceries has hit a two-year high. So much for those promises of cheaper groceries, huh?

    To all the Trump supporters who were swayed by his pledge to lower grocery prices, I hate to break it to you, but you’ve been duped. The man has a talent for spinning tall tales, especially when it comes to the most pressing issue for the average voter.

    Despite Trump’s recent backtracking on tariffs, the damage has already been done. Brace yourselves for even higher grocery prices as the cost of imported food skyrockets.

    Recent polls show that Trump’s approval ratings on the economy are plummeting. Can he talk his way out of this mess? Just take a look at your grocery bill and decide for yourself.