Tariffs? Buy stuff now?

[old-fart]

If Trump does what he said he was going to do, and implements significant tariffs on goods imported from China into the US, glass I’ve been eyeing on dhgate might become more expensive. I’m seriously considering buying sooner rather than later.

 

[Flotsam]

So true. Kinda wish we actually had someone who knew what a tariff was and who pays it, but that's not gonna happen, we're all doomed.

 

[chillAtGVC]

So true. Kinda wish we actually had someone who knew what a tariff was and who pays it, but that's not gonna happen, we're all doomed.

if things are more expensive after tariffs, will you buy more or less of them? That is the point of tarrifs.

 

[Flotsam]

if things are more expensive after tariffs, will you buy more or less of them? That is the point of tarrifs.

I don't see Americans avoiding Walmart and the like so that just means more inflation for everyone. Some of this stuff only comes from Chy-Na anyway.

We saw this movie already back in 2018 with laundry appliances supposedly being saved with protective tariffs. It was an utter failure as even US made laundry appliances saw a rise in prices even outstripping inflation. NYT has a good writeup https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/25/...riffs-stained-the-washing-machine-market.html

 

[invertedisdead]

It’s at least interesting that the same people who oppose these tariffs constantly rant about ending capitalistic greed, which is precisely what harboring for low priced knock offs results in.

 

[Flotsam]

It’s at least interesting that the same people who oppose these tariffs constantly rant about ending capitalistic greed, which is precisely what harboring for low priced knock offs results in. Monopolies.

There will be 13 more Billionaires part of this administration . Obviously we know which mouths are being fed & what corporate greed looks like.

I think the better question is why anyone would support arbitrary tariffs against the US 3 biggest trading partners? Each of these countries will never accept that and will be trade wars with retaliatory tariffs. As i mentioned this was attempted in 2018 with Laundry appliances and it backfired. and poor John Deere, now they are "facing 10, 20 even 100 % tariffs".

 

[old-fart]

It’s at least interesting that the same people who oppose these tariffs constantly rant about ending capitalistic greed, which is precisely what harboring for low priced knock offs results in.

Just curious how your arrived at this conclusion? Tariffs are traditionally favored by the left and opposed by the right, as global free trade has been a priority for the right for decades. Tramp's [sic] proposed broad tariffs are likely to be opposed by both businesses and consumers.

 

[Bakin4Life]

Just curious how your arrived at this conclusion? Tariffs are traditionally favored by the left and opposed by the right, as global free trade has been a priority for the right for decades. Tramp's [sic] proposed broad tariffs are likely to be opposed by both businesses and consumers.

Agree.
It seems to me that his fixation with tariffs goes back to his earlier days, and were one of the few ideas that 'made the jump' to his party shift, as it's a populist philosophy.

I could write more--much more--on this, but:
- I'm cognizant of my audience, here (this ain't a political forum)
- I've been up two hours and haven't medicated yet; continuing this post just delays my dosing
- My new IDGAF philosophy is at odds with discourse / persuasion, here.

To comment on the post title... the bigger your potential purchases, the more it makes sense to buy now. Since I'm now an old fart myself , I have most of the 'stuff' I need., so new major purchases are pretty much over for me, anyway.

Another way of thinking... by buying now, you'll be helping to starve future quarters of GDP, so if you're interested in that...

There will likely be opportunities to pick up assets on the cheap in the next couple of years, if you have cash available. Stay liquid, if you can.

 

[bellona0544]

It’s at least interesting that the same people who oppose these tariffs constantly rant about ending capitalistic greed, which is precisely what harboring for low priced knock offs results in.

People who are opposing the tariffs generally recognize that tariffs don't lower prices for consumers. I am confused on your point here, considering those ranting about capitalistic greed generally are doing so because they feel the resources of the world are not equitably distributed, and tariffs wouldn't do anything to equitably redistribute resources.

 

[florduh]

The deal we made after the Cold War ended was trading good paying union manufacturing jobs for cheap treats manufactured in the developing world.

I'd be more than fine reversing that deal. But that's not really what's being offered here.

 

[Flotsam]

People who are opposing the tariffs generally recognize that tariffs don't lower prices for consumers. I am confused on your point here, considering those ranting about capitalistic greed generally are doing so because they feel the resources of the world are not equitably distributed, and tariffs wouldn't do anything to equitably redistribute resources.

also excellent points. I do not place much stock in a guy who has deliberately declared Bankruptcy 8 times and is proud of it. I prefer my Billionaires to be honest too but that will never happen either.

 

[bellona0544]

The deal we made after the Cold War ended was trading good paying union manufacturing jobs for cheap treats manufactured in the developing world.

I'd be more than fine reversing that deal. But that's not really what's being offered here.

Agreed. If this was a situation of reregulating capitalism in the imperial core and moving manufacturing back to the US and Europe while pulling out of the global south and no longer exploiting weaker countries for their resources and cheap labor, then I would be all for it.

Tariffs without explicit support for domestic production can only increase prices for consumers, utterly decimating the average purchasing power of each worker while allowing megacorporations that can afford the tariffs to continue exploiting cheap international labor while passing the tariff prices onto consumers because consumers will have no other option. I hate globalism as much as the next girl, but protectionism in crony capitalism that is brought about by a bunch of hundred-millionaires and billionaires is not fighting globalism.

 

[florduh]

Tariffs without explicit support for domestic production

Also, domestic production means more INFLATION, i.e. higher prices. Which I am fine with. But only if wages go up across the board. Which means bosses and shareholders would need to accept a slightly smaller slice of the pie. And that is not happening.

 

[chillAtGVC]

Tariffs are not intended to lower consumer prices clearly, they don’t.

Tariffs without explicit support for domestic production can only increase prices for consumers, utterly decimating the average purchasing power of each worker while allowing megacorporations that can afford the tariffs to continue exploiting cheap international labor while passing the tariff prices onto consumers because consumers will have no other option.

i’m confused. If tariffs increase prices for consumers (which seems to be their purpose), then they won’t be able to buy as much/as many. Would this fewer units sold not eat into the profits of said mega corporations? They can pass on the tariffs all they want to, but they’re still gonna be selling the same thing at a higher price which should bring them fewer customers. That can’t be good for their profits. It is not like their costs are going down.

 

[old-fart]

Tariffs are not intended to lower consumer prices clearly, they don’t.

i’m confused. If tariffs increase prices for consumers (which seems to be their purpose), then they won’t be able to buy as much/as many. Would this fewer units sold not eat into the profits of said mega corporations? They can pass on the tariffs all they want to, but they’re still gonna be selling the same thing at a higher price which should bring them fewer customers. That can’t be good for their profits. It is not like their costs are going down.

Correct, it will not be good for the buyers and the non-US sellers. The whole point is to make a disincentive to purchasing from outside the USA, which is supposed to make in-USA production more appealing, and thus spur manufacturing in the USA. That's the theory. When there are low barriers to entry, tariffs can work and companies will produce in the USA. When barriers to entry are high (e.g., cost to build a factory), then everyone just pays more for the goods and the US government gets more income.

Remember, at heart (if not brain), Trump is a businessman. I think he sees tariffs as a way to increase income which he can spin as not being a tax. He is, of course, wrong as a "tariff" is, by definition, a tax.

 

[florduh]

If tariffs increase prices for consumers (which seems to be their purpose)

well, "we're gonna increase INFLATION" is certainly not how it was sold to voters.

I do like the idea that he's gonna attack both Americans' access to their beloved treats and corporate profits/the stock market. Like he's a Maoist Third Worldist. JDPON Don. Destroying the AmeriKKKan Empire from within.

Awaiting orders, sir 🫡

When he said, "I will be your retribution" the AmeriFats thought he was talking to them. No. He was speaking to the oppressed peoples of the Third World, longing for Liberation.

 

[Flotsam]

well, "we're gonna increase INFLATION" is certainly not how it was sold to voters.

I do like the idea that he's gonna attack both Americans' access to their beloved treats and corporate profits/the stock market. Like he's a Maoist Third Worldist. JDPON Don. Destroying the AmeriKKKan Empire from within.

Awaiting orders, sir 🫡

When he said, "I will be your retribution" the AmeriFats thought he was talking to them. No. He was speaking to the oppressed peoples of the Third World, longing for Liberation.

Like i said what do you expect from a so-called Billionaire that has gone Bankrupt 8 times?

We know tRump & his 13 Billionaires in his administration , will do well for themselves financially just like his last term. the rest of us will endure this daily SHTshow

 

[old-fart]

Like i said what do you expect from a so-called Billionaire that has gone Bankrupt 8 times?

We know tRump & his 13 Billionaires in his cabinet, will do well for themselves financially just like his last term. the rest of us will endure this daily SHTshow

I count 9 billionaires in his government and only 2 in the cabinet. Who are the others?

Cabinet:

• Linda McMahon (Education)
• Howard Lutnick (Commerce)

Non-Cabinet:

• Elon Musk (DOGE)
• Vivek Ramaswamy (DOGE)
• Tilman Fertitta (Italy)
• Stephen Feinberg (Dep. Sec. Def.)
• Warren Stephens (UK)
• Jared Isaacman (NASA)
• Kelly Loeffler (SBA)

Note: the unhappy face I put on your previous post is "Sad" - not "dislike".

 

[florduh]

Like i said what do you expect from a so-called Billionaire

You have him all wrong. He has been inspired by another class traitor, Luigi Mangione. After handily defeating the bourgeoiSS candidate, KKKopmala HariSS, Chairman Don will put the AmeriFats on a diet, striking at the Imperial Core of Global KKKapitaliSSm.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1764648751212142969

 

[Flotsam]

I count 9 billionaires in his government and only 2 in the cabinet. Who are the others?

Cabinet:

• Linda McMahon (Education)
• Howard Lutnick (Commerce)

Non-Cabinet:

• Elon Musk (DOGE)
• Vivek Ramaswamy (DOGE)
• Tilman Fertitta (Italy)
• Stephen Feinberg (Dep. Sec. Def.)
• Warren Stephens (UK)
• Jared Isaacman (NASA)
• Kelly Loeffler (SBA)

Note: the unhappy face I put on your previous post is "Sad" - not "dislike".

Trump has tapped an unprecedented 13 billionaires for his administration. Here's who they are

President-elect Donald Trump has assembled the wealthiest presidential administration in modern history, with at least 13 billionaires set to take top government posts.

abcnews.go.com

Charles Kushner , Ambassador to France: $1.8 billion remember tRump pardoned him end of last term ​

Thomas Barrack Jr., Ambassador to Turkey: $1 billion​

Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East: $1 billion​

Frank Bisiganano, Social Security Administration Commissioner: $1 billion​

David Sacks, AI and Crypto Czar: Net worth unknown​

Doug Burgum, Interior Secretary: $100 million​

Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: $100 million​

2 not billionaires, but link has the details on the others. Do any of these people have any experience?

 

[chillAtGVC]

Do any of these people have any experience?

Well, they have experience succeeding! You might want to take a step back and ask yourself how many members of Congress have any relative experience. The results suggest not.

 

[Flotsam]

Well, they have experience succeeding! You might want to take a step back and ask yourself how many members of Congress have any relative experience. The results suggest not.

Well if the first 2 are any indication it will be another SHT show. Matt Gaetz had NO business being Attorney General since he never prosecuted a case in his life, He did have plenty of experience being investigated for his crimes. Too many Venmos to underage girls tripped him up.

and let's not forget Pete Hegseth the Fox talking head. He was a grunt for 4 years in the Army but no real experience running anything much less the Dept of Defense. His Fox colleagues do tell a story about him being a complete drunk, but no worries ...... he promises not to touch a drop ... if he is confirmed. Good luck.

Tulsi Gabbard has ZERO experience with intelligence which makes her questionable for that position and has been previously been considered a security threat to her ties with the Syrian president. Robert F Kennedy besides being a vaccine denier had NEVER run anything & who can consider Dr Oz a credible doctor in charge of Medicare when all he is interested in is hawking his own supplements? LOL its as if you could pick the WORST candidate for just about every role.

No the ONLY criteria is who will be loyal to fearless leader and not push back. Seems like his circle includes a bunch of drunks & child molesters, no surprise. The point about congress and their lack of experience is valid but in each case there is someone running against them who had their OWN experience and standards which allows the Voters to make their own informed decision about who to select. The Senate is supposed to vet all these candidates.

 

[florduh]

Good news/bad news.

The bad news is that I googled the first 3 names and quit. Slumlords and private equity scumbags. All useless eaters adding zero value to the world. Calling that "successful" is a fucking joke. All 3 born into wealth as well.

Good news... I kinda doubt an admin full of business scam artists is gonna crash the stock market with across the board tariffs.

 

[Noel1220]

It's amazing how many of you are totally brainwashed by mainstream media. Don't worry as your president will make sure you "can't handle reality" types get a bed in a newly opened asylum in your area. Help is on th way

 

[old-fart]

It's amazing how many of you are totally brainwashed by mainstream media. Don't worry as your president will make sure you "can't handle reality" types get a bed in a newly opened asylum in your area. Help is on th way

Sorry, but I have no idea what the fuck you are talking about. Trump has promised tariffs on all Chinese goods. Lot's of us buy our paraphernalia from China through AliExpress and DHGate. Are you saying the mainstream media has misreported on Trump's promise for tariffs on Chinese goods?

Back to my original post. If they implement tariffs, how long before prices on Ali/DHGate increase? I assume I will have enough time to hit that Place Order button to get all the SAML glass I've been collecting ion my cart.