fastasleep

sdw2001 said:

I completely disagree.  I realize it's more than fashionable here to trash Trump, the tariffs, etc.  But the reality is that our trade policy has been a nightmare for decades, particularly with China.  We had been operating in the 20th-century paradigm, both for China and the rest of world.   For the former, the theory of the case was "free" trade (which was nothing of then kind) would enable economic growth in both countries, but that China would liberalize as its prosperity grew.   In fact, China went exactly the opposite way.  China has become more closed, more authoritarian, more corrupt and more aggressive.  For the latter, our policies were stuck in the post-war mentality, when Europe was devastated and we were helping them recover.   

What Trump is doing is resetting these relationships.  His plan should now be obvious to anyone who doesn't have--pardon me---"derangement syndrome."  That goal was to triangulate China into changing the way it does business...from tariffs, to non-tariff barriers, to theft of IP, etc.  Secondarily, the goal was to improve terms with our other trading partners or "allies."   As a supporter of the president, I have to admit that I didn't really understand the strategy of going after allies as well as foes (or frien-a-mies.).   After all, why not just target China and go the opposite way with allies?  Why not treat them in a more conciliatory way, but go hard on China?  

However, as deals with India, the UK, Vietnam  and others took shape, it dawned on me.  Trump hit everyone hard (but China harder) and then proceeded to quickly work on deals with those friendlier nations.  He was able to largely correct (or is in process of correcting) the trade problems we've  had with our allies, and leave China--pardon me again---standing with its junk in its hand.   It explains why they are now negotiating and willing to stand down.  Their economy is getting hammered, millions are unemployed, factories are closing....and Trump is running around making trade deals with everyone but them.  

I'll admit it's been somewhat chaotic.  Wall Street hates tariffs.   But we're already seeing the results.  Debt growth has slowed dramatically.  Inflation is nearing the 2% target.  Prices of staples (such as eggs) continue to fall.  Ditto on energy prices.  Private payrolls are showing solid growth.   Even last quarter's GDP reduction (-.3%) was misleading, as companies like Apple rushed to import goods before tariffs kicked in (this reduces GDP in the calculation).   

You've railed against debt, tax cuts, Reagannomics, etc.   Briefly:  

Debt:  We agree on the scope of the problem.  I would think you'd support things like DOGE, energy development, tax cuts for economic stimulation, etc.   I'd certainly think you'd realize both parties have historically been a nightmare on this issue, but that the Democrat party is currently far, far worse (just take 2021-24 alone).   

Tax cuts:  I don't know where this notion of "squeezing the working class" and "tax cuts for the rich" comes from, other than the Democrat party propagandists and their media allies.  The Trump tax cuts benefited the lower and working classes more than the wealthy.  That is simply a fact.  Another fact is that Trump and the GOP are considering actually raising taxes on the wealthy in the planned extension (reconciliation) package.  

Reagannomics:  I'm not sure I see the connection.  I also have my doubts that you have a full understanding of what "Reaganomics" even was/is.   You've no doubt been told (as nearly everyone has) that it was cutting taxes on the wealthy, slashing welfare and healthcare, and giving "tax breaks" to evil corporations and the mega rich.  Sound familiar?  I wonder why?  

Wesley_Hilliard said:

fastasleep said:

Wesley_Hilliard said:

fastasleep said:

AppleInsider said:

The letter also fails to mention that even as Apple is exempted for now, the grace period is temporary. President Trump says semiconductor tariffs were on the way. So, soon Apple may be hit with the full force of tariffs on China and its Apple Silicon chips. 

This makes no sense. Apple is vulnerable to tariffs on the finished products with are assembled in China, and shipped to the US. Not Apple silicon chips which are made in Taiwan, shipped to China, assembled into the devices which are then shipped from China to the US. Apple silicon chips are not shipped to the US, at least not en masse or as consumer products.

The whole point of tariffs, according to Trump sometimes, is to bring manufacturing back to the United States. So, if Apple has to import parts like semiconductors, then it's going to get hit with a tariff. If it builds overseas and imports, it's hit with a different tariff. So, there is effectively no way to avoid a tariff.

Doesn't seem like a good strategy.

Oh, sure — but nobody is moving manufacturing over to the US, at least not anytime soon — especially with the way Trump waffles and folds like he's got multiple personalities fighting over who has the most ill-formed trade policy.

But the article specifically says that because of semiconductor tariffs, "soon Apple may be hit" due to its Apple Silicon chips, when it's really Apple's finished products which ship from China that are affected. Not Apple silicon chips, which would ship from Taiwan which has its own separate set of tariffs,  or semiconductors in general from China as nothing is being assembled here in the US now. 

IIRC the tariff will apply to products using semiconductors too, not just the semiconductors themselves.

Wesley_Hilliard said:

fastasleep said:

AppleInsider said:

The letter also fails to mention that even as Apple is exempted for now, the grace period is temporary. President Trump says semiconductor tariffs were on the way. So, soon Apple may be hit with the full force of tariffs on China and its Apple Silicon chips. 

This makes no sense. Apple is vulnerable to tariffs on the finished products with are assembled in China, and shipped to the US. Not Apple silicon chips which are made in Taiwan, shipped to China, assembled into the devices which are then shipped from China to the US. Apple silicon chips are not shipped to the US, at least not en masse or as consumer products.

The whole point of tariffs, according to Trump sometimes, is to bring manufacturing back to the United States. So, if Apple has to import parts like semiconductors, then it's going to get hit with a tariff. If it builds overseas and imports, it's hit with a different tariff. So, there is effectively no way to avoid a tariff.

Doesn't seem like a good strategy.

AppleInsider said:

The letter also fails to mention that even as Apple is exempted for now, the grace period is temporary. President Trump says semiconductor tariffs were on the way. So, soon Apple may be hit with the full force of tariffs on China and its Apple Silicon chips. 

Fidonet127 said:

Some people don't want AI ok? AI takes additional space, increased CPU load and eats more of the battery.