Trump is my favourite comedian of the year already (6 Viewers)

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T11:39:06+0100

fernandopartridge said:
You are the one trying to make the case that the tariffs are about reshoring the US manufacturing base. I'm just speculating about whether it will really happen or not.

It’s a stated aim, it doesn’t mean it will work. The US economy is big enough and attractive enough for businesses that it may work. It’s not a policy position that’s wise for the UK, imo.

Personally, targeting the low wage, low employment rights economies like Vietnam, China, Thailand (and so on) makes sense, imo. There’s also a significant geopolitical and security considerations in allowing China to dominate global manufacturing - something the EU also recognises.

In relation to Canada and the EU, the tariffs are more political in seeking trade equalisation and removal of trade barriers to address trade deficits. This aggression isn’t likely to backfire in my estimation.

Sick Boy · 2025-04-04T12:08:02+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
In relation to Canada and the EU, the tariffs are more political in seeking trade equalisation and removal of trade barriers to address trade deficits. This aggression isn’t likely to backfire in my estimation.

The EU isn’t going accept their shitty farm produce any time soon. The average American buying French cheese, Italian wine and German cars won’t have a problem paying the price hikes.

Captain Dart · 2025-04-04T12:51:58+0100

It's amazing how many SBT posters have a deep understanding of global economics. Maybe some of you should be advising the Treasury.

Grendel · 2025-04-04T13:11:45+0100

Sick Boy said:
The EU isn’t going accept their shitty farm produce any time soon. The average American buying French cheese, Italian wine and German cars won’t have a problem paying the price hikes.

To be fair they have their own

https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/files/eurogroupforanimals/2022-03/CO2%20stunning%20EfA%20position%20paper%202019.pdf

There is no ethical moral ground on animal slaughter

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T13:12:18+0100

Sick Boy said:
The EU isn’t going accept their shitty farm produce any time soon. The average American buying French cheese, Italian wine and German cars won’t have a problem paying the price hikes.

Then why the faux outrage over it?

It’s not just the EU in scope so the fixation on tariffs with them is strange. It doesn’t even impact us because we’re not in the EU anymore.

Would you be supportive of US tariffs on Australian. NZ, Chinese, Vietnamese agricultural goods? Who also have significantly lower standards than the UK and the EU.

I subscribe to general free market criticisms of protectionist trade policies. However, there is a clear method to the madness and like most high risk strategies, there’s potentially high rewards. Perhaps the EU and Canada negotiate deals to drop tariffs and other barriers and the global corporations start to restore jobs to the US. Like most things, it takes time for businesses to react and policy impacts take place.

It’s a rather strange situation seeing our left-wing posters opposing a policy position that was put forward by Bernie Sanders. Everyone is now a Reganite free trade purist…

Sick Boy · 2025-04-04T13:19:34+0100

Grendel said:
To be fair they have their own

https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/files/eurogroupforanimals/2022-03/CO2%20stunning%20EfA%20position%20paper%202019.pdf

There is no ethical moral ground on animal slaughter

I don't disagree. I think all meat for sale should be organic standards.

mmttww · 2025-04-04T13:41:16+0100

Grendel said:
She is under scrutiny as she is in charge of our economic outlook and she is pitifully out of her depth.

I might agree with you, I might not re: her policies and decision making process. I'm still confused by people who defend the US approach which is totally incompetent from an objective POV dismissing her with the terms you're using. Weird inconsistency that suggests misogyny to me, especially as Trump is, you know, a massive misogynist.

fernandopartridge · 2025-04-04T13:51:28+0100

I can understand tariffs from the point of view of protecting strategic industries, but that's not what Trump is doing is it? To pretend otherwise is delusional really.

mmttww · 2025-04-04T13:53:00+0100

Trump administration fires National Security Agency chief

Far-right activist Laura Loomer, who met with Trump on Wednesday, said Gen Timothy Haugh was fired because he was "disloyal".

www.bbc.co.uk

Trump is now sacking heads of the security services on the advice of Laura Loomer, someone who Taylor Greene says is "mentally unstable and a documented liar". Cool.

fernandopartridge · 2025-04-04T13:57:21+0100

"Sack Tim, for being unloyal.... disloyal.."

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T13:59:30+0100

mmttww said:
I might agree with you, I might not re: her policies and decision making process. I'm still confused by people who defend the US approach which is totally incompetent from an objective POV dismissing her with the terms you're using. Weird inconsistency that suggests misogyny to me, especially as Trump is, you know, a massive misogynist.

How can you judge a policy that is 2 days old enough to call it incompetent?

Rachel Reeves had to call an emergency budget to correct the cause set by autumn budget. Even then, it appears that she hasn’t accounted for the Trump Tariffs because it’s set to wipe out her ‘fiscal headroom’ so the prospect of tax rises, spending cuts and raids on savings is a very real prospect.

Considering she’s staked her chancellorship on being the most pro-growth in recent years, she’s failing dramatically (by her own standards) as the growth forecasts have been revised down from the last government, its rather humiliating for her because her policies have been cited as the reason for the downgrades.

It’s also emerged that her CV was embellished hence the nickname ‘Rachel from accounts’.

Sick Boy · 2025-04-04T14:01:03+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
How can you judge a policy that is 2 days old enough to call it incompetent?

Rachel Reeves had to call an emergency budget to correct the cause set by autumn budget. Even then, it appears that she hasn’t accounted for the Trump Tariffs because it’s set to wipe out her ‘fiscal headroom’ so the prospect of tax rises, spending cuts and raids on savings is a very real prospect.

Considering she’s staked her chancellorship on being the most pro-growth in recent years, she’s failing dramatically (by her own standards) as the growth forecasts have been revised down from the last government, its rather humiliating for her because her policies have been cited as the reason for the downgrades.

It’s also emerged that her CV was embellished hence the nickname ‘Rachel from accounts’.

Yet you're here defending the disinformation being pushed by Trump.

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T14:04:23+0100

Sick Boy said:
Yet you're here defending the disinformation being pushed by Trump.

What is disinformation? The main targets of the tariffs; EU, Canada, China, Vietnam and so on have more tariffs on US goods.

The US had one of the lowest tariff regimes globally. That is a fact.

mmttww · 2025-04-04T14:07:07+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
How can you judge a policy that is 2 days old...

Because lots of people who know what they're talking about say it's a sh*tshow, and the means of calculating the tariffs has been shown to be total b*ll*cks.

and as for the CV issue etc. that just supports what I'm saying. One bloke who lies non-stop draws little comment from the same people ridiculing her over and over.

Did it occur to you that it was hard to plan for what that maniac in the US does? He's announced and cancelled stuff for weeks. Yet that's on her? FFS, mate.

Sick Boy · 2025-04-04T14:12:26+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
What is disinformation? The main targets of the tariffs; EU, Canada, China, Vietnam and so on have more tariffs on US goods.

The US had one of the lowest tariff regimes globally. That is a fact.

The numbers on his gameshow board are utter bollocks and calculated based on trade deficits.

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T14:13:03+0100

mmttww said:
Because lots of people who know what they're talking about say it's a sh*tshow, and the means of calculating the tariffs has been shown to be total b*ll*cks.

and as for the CV issue etc. that just supports what I'm saying. One bloke who lies non-stop draws little comment from the same people ridiculing her over and over.

Did it occur to you that it was hard to plan for what that maniac in the US does? He's announced and cancelled stuff for weeks. Yet that's on her? FFS, mate.

On Reeves, the justification for the ‘spring statement’ was the ‘changing world’ with a specific focus on the impending Trump Tariffs. It was the government used it as a pretence even they though they didn’t know what to expect exactly.

Considering the government, by all accounts, think they’ve got off ‘lightly’ with a 10% tariff goes to show just how bad their planning was if the fiscal headroom is expected to be wiped out nonetheless.

It probably would’ve made sense to wait a couple of weeks to know what you’re dealing with.

mmttww · 2025-04-04T14:21:04+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
On Reeves, the justification for the ‘spring statement’ was the ‘changing world’ with a specific focus on the impending Trump Tariffs. It was the government used it as a pretence even they though they didn’t know what to expect exactly.

Considering the government, by all accounts, think they’ve got off ‘lightly’ with a 10% tariff goes to show just how bad their planning was if the fiscal headroom is expected to be wiped out nonetheless.

It probably would’ve made sense to wait a couple of weeks to know what you’re dealing with.

Just to make sure I'm keeping up, then. Your position is that Reeves and co. are incompetent because growth forecasts are wiggling around by fractions of 1% with the cause of that variation being global events caused entirely by Trump and co.

but you'll defend policies he's rolled out that crashed global markets and will almost certainly leave people around the world with less disposable income as prices inflate, and she's 'Rachel from Accounts', and we should give his policies a chance.

If that's the extent of your ability to reflect on the positions you're taking or defending there's no point talking about it. You've made your point and you're being consistent but if you can't see the mad double standards you're using, then I'm out.

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T14:24:31+0100

Sick Boy said:
The numbers on his gameshow board are utter bollocks and calculated based on trade deficits.

Have you looked at the MFN duty rates for tariffs before the Trump Tariffs? The USA, Japan and UK have some of the lowest duty rates globally.

To use an example of other ‘non-tariff’ barriers, the USA has a duty-free limit on imports up to $800 (USD), whereas the the UK’s limit is £135 and the EU’s was €150 and removing it altogether (to combat Chinese dumping of cheap goods, ironically).

When the USA raises ‘non-tariff barriers’, it’s things like this they mean.

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T14:31:34+0100

mmttww said:
Just to make sure I'm keeping up, then. Your position is that Reeves and co. are incompetent because growth forecasts are wiggling around by fractions of 1% with the cause of that variation being global events caused entirely by Trump and co.

but you'll defend policies he's rolled out that crashed global markets and will almost certainly leave people around the world with less disposable income as prices inflate, and she's 'Rachel from Accounts', and we should give his policies a chance.

If that's the extent of your ability to reflect on the positions you're taking or defending there's no point talking about it. You've made your point and you're being consistent but if you can't see the mad double standards you're using, then I'm out.

With spin like that, you should apply for a job at Labour HQ.

No, the growth outlook was trending downwards before the US election was taking place. Reeves undermined confidence in the UK economy before the budget and after it, the employer NI raise has been criticised and coincided with job vacancies declining. The criticisms of her are legitimate and of her own doing.

If you think she’s doing a good job… I’d suggest you’re in a minority and that we should and agree to disagree.

Sick Boy · 2025-04-04T14:34:00+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
Have you looked at the MFN duty rates for tariffs before the Trump Tariffs? The USA, Japan and UK have some of the lowest duty rates globally.

To use an example of other ‘non-tariff’ barriers, the USA has a duty-free limit on imports up to $800 (USD), whereas the the UK’s limit is £135 and the EU’s was €150 and removing it altogether (to combat Chinese dumping of cheap goods, ironically).

When the USA raises ‘non-tariff barriers’, it’s things like this they mean.

Rather than go with you and Old Donald, I think I'm with James Surowiecki on this one, who's described it as "extraordinary nonsense".

SBT · 2025-04-04T14:42:17+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
How can you judge a policy that is 2 days old enough to call it incompetent?

Critics are foolishly writing off my new policy of thumping myself in the face with a saucepan after just two days. Only this way will we learn if concussions are indeed reversible.

mmttww · 2025-04-04T14:42:56+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
If you think she’s doing a good job…

I don't. My issue is with the stick she gets vs. the free pass Trump and co. seem to get from people who give her loads of sh*t. Makes no sense to me at all.

David O'Day · 2025-04-04T15:03:17+0100

Seems Republicans some are growing a bit of spine, not enough to actually do something but they are starting to speak out

Brighton Sky Blue · 2025-04-04T15:08:27+0100

shmmeee said:
Has Bernie said anything about the tariffs? His kind of policy normally.

He supports tariffs for specific industries and even then, not across the board. Certainly doesn’t support blanket tariffs on everything.

Brighton Sky Blue · 2025-04-04T15:08:53+0100

David O'Day said:
Seems Republicans some are growing a bit of spine, not enough to actually do something but they are starting to speak out

They are starting to fear their constituents more than Trump and Musk.

fatso · 2025-04-04T15:09:59+0100

mmttww said:
Just to make sure I'm keeping up, then. Your position is that Reeves and co. are incompetent because growth forecasts are wiggling around by fractions of 1% with the cause of that variation being global events caused entirely by Trump and co.

but you'll defend policies he's rolled out that crashed global markets and will almost certainly leave people around the world with less disposable income as prices inflate, and she's 'Rachel from Accounts', and we should give his policies a chance.

If that's the extent of your ability to reflect on the positions you're taking or defending there's no point talking about it. You've made your point and you're being consistent but if you can't see the mad double standards you're using, then I'm out.

I think your missing the whole point of the tariff situation here.
Trump has zero regard for global markets or the disposable income of people around the world. He was elected on a M.A.G.A agenda, and as such he's obliged to address the obvious lack of equality in so many trade agreements, agreements that make American made and exported products non competitive.

Why should an American president put up with his countries goods being slapped with high tariffs while allowing imports to flood into the country on zero or very low tariffs?

I'm sure workers in American companies are more than happy to see the playing field levelled up a little.

It's the same with the increased defence spending of European NATO countries, Trump has insisted that member States increase their defence spending if they want to remain part of the alliance.
Well obviously much of that spending will be on American made weapons systems, ammunition, and intelligence data systems etc. So again that will be spending for American companies and extra jobs as a result.

Trump is dealing with the multi Trillion dollar debt crisis by massively increasing output, and productivity, all of this comes under his MAGA manifesto. He's also removing from office anyone who isn't buying into the plan, or who was responsible for getting the country into such a financial mess in the first place, I'm just suprised that people are only now realising what he's doing.

As for UK exports, if Jaguar Land-rover see tariffs of 10% (for example) and Audi BMW, Mercedes and Porch etc see tariffs of 20%+
It's not necessarily a bad thing for the UK.

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T15:14:28+0100

Sick Boy said:
Rather than go with you and Old Donald, I think I'm with James Surowiecki on this one, who's described it as "extraordinary nonsense".

Do you even know what MFN duty is? The data is there that USA has some of the lowest duty rates in the world. Thats is one of the bones of contention between the US and EU (specifically).

https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/world_tariff_profiles22_e.pdf

MFN Simple Average By Country Product from World % 1988 - 2022 | WITS Data

Merchandise trade and tariff statistics data All Products import MFN Simple Average (%) by By Country (BY-COUNTRY) from World (All Countries) for years 1988 to 2022

wits.worldbank.org

SBT · 2025-04-04T15:30:48+0100

fatso said:
Why should an American president put up with his countries goods being slapped with high tariffs while allowing imports to flood into the country on zero or very low tariffs?

Because those imports improve the quality of life of the country’s consumers?

Sky_Blue_Dreamer · 2025-04-04T15:40:30+0100

Sick Boy said:
The numbers on his gameshow board are utter bollocks and calculated based on trade deficits.

Imagine if Liz Truss had come into no.10 and said she was slapping tariffs on all imports. Then a few days later to find out that those calculations weren't based on reciprocal tariffs but on trade deficit. Then a few days after that find out she worked them out using an AI chatbot.

That would be far madder than what she actually did and only lasted 45 days in office for. Yet that's what Trump has done and suddenly it's "well, that's ok then."

As for Rachel Reeves, as much as I disagree with what's she's doing her actions seem sensible compared to either of the other two.

fernandopartridge · 2025-04-04T15:44:49+0100

Mucca Mad Boys said:
Do you even know what MFN duty is? The data is there that USA has some of the lowest duty rates in the world. Thats is one of the bones of contention between the US and EU (specifically).

https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/booksp_e/world_tariff_profiles22_e.pdf

MFN Simple Average By Country Product from World % 1988 - 2022 | WITS Data

Merchandise trade and tariff statistics data All Products import MFN Simple Average (%) by By Country (BY-COUNTRY) from World (All Countries) for years 1988 to 2022

wits.worldbank.org

The USA is acting in contravention of it isn't it?

chiefdave · 2025-04-04T16:02:27+0100

Brighton Sky Blue · 2025-04-04T16:07:47+0100

fatso said:
I think your missing the whole point of the tariff situation here.
Trump has zero regard for global markets or the disposable income of people around the world. He was elected on a M.A.G.A agenda, and as such he's obliged to address the obvious lack of equality in so many trade agreements, agreements that make American made and exported products non competitive.

Why should an American president put up with his countries goods being slapped with high tariffs while allowing imports to flood into the country on zero or very low tariffs?

I'm sure workers in American companies are more than happy to see the playing field levelled up a little.

It's the same with the increased defence spending of European NATO countries, Trump has insisted that member States increase their defence spending if they want to remain part of the alliance.
Well obviously much of that spending will be on American made weapons systems, ammunition, and intelligence data systems etc. So again that will be spending for American companies and extra jobs as a result.

Trump is dealing with the multi Trillion dollar debt crisis by massively increasing output, and productivity, all of this comes under his MAGA manifesto. He's also removing from office anyone who isn't buying into the plan, or who was responsible for getting the country into such a financial mess in the first place, I'm just suprised that people are only now realising what he's doing.

As for UK exports, if Jaguar Land-rover see tariffs of 10% (for example) and Audi BMW, Mercedes and Porch etc see tariffs of 20%+
It's not necessarily a bad thing for the UK.

Trump is dealing with the debt by giving huge tax cuts to the ultra rich while raising them on basically everyone else.

His regime has also made over 100,000 people out of a job in the public sector while stealing from cancer research, meals on wheels, and pregnant women. Also busy sending whoever he wants to a torture dungeon in El Salvador without due process or any legal representation.

It’s clear who he is trying to enrich by doing what he’s doing, and it isn’t ordinary people.

Macca · 2025-04-04T16:24:57+0100

Is the least favourite comedian of the year Russell Brand?

Brighton Sky Blue · 2025-04-04T16:26:05+0100

Macca said:
Is the least favourite comedian of the year Russell Brand?

Unlike Trump he hasn’t ever been funny

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-04-04T16:27:02+0100

fernandopartridge said:
The USA is acting in contravention of it isn't it?

Quite likely, tbf. The WTO has turned a blind eye to Chinese rules so it’s unlikely to do anything about Trump’s tariffs.

It’s a niche policy that only a few economies can actually away with, India, China, USA and the EU in all likelihood.

Trump is my favourite comedian of the year already (6 Viewers)

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