Trump announces tariffs of 30% on the European Union, starting August 1.

Now i'm scarred ..... No, wait! I'm not! Raise them 40% tariffs just for sending this letter. Not in August, not in September but now. Today. It's the only thing the bully understands.

Fuck it. Send a letter back saying that you're not going to have this pointless dick waving contest. You're stopping all trade with the US and nationalizing US commercial and military assets in the EU. Effective tomorrow unless the US come back to the negotiating table with a zero tariff policy already signed and ready to go.

"...your Country" retard

" You will never be disappointed with the United States of America". I can't decide if this is a failed promise or a failed instruction or a failed other.

You will never be disappointed with The United States of America.

Is the whole thing satire?

He is saying that if the EU wants to do a trade war the USA will deliver.
- So.... "I'm totally not going to chicken out"?
- And who here is innitiating the trade war?
- Deliver what, tariffs??

Ah yes my favorite Country, the European Union.

Trump is a eurofederalist icon now I guess 💅
This "tariff" is just a distraction from the Epstein files scandal, nothing more. It's just noise, not news.
European confederation vibes 🤩
From the economic point of view the EU acts very much like a single country. Even the EEA can be seen as single entity if looking from the perspective of an American trade negotiator.
Weeeeeelllll it basically is from the outside.

These Tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country.

First, what the fuck is that random capitalization?

Second, so your giving us in writing, that these tariffs ~~may~~ will be modified at will if you feel so.

Third, which country are you talking about? Europe is a continent. EU is a union of independent countries/nations.

At first I thought it might be a standing point for Orbán to point out that they want this (but the bad EU, yadda yadda), but after actually reading that garbage of a propaganda piece, I can only imagine that part is boiler-plate, and noone along the chain caught it or could be bothered with correcting it.
Trump is serving up the distmantling of most US soft powers. Like how is this not a game of chicken for us to bunch up on Ireland and tell them no more fucking around with appl and alphabet. I'd love nothing more than a third level bureaucrat tucked away in Strassbourg to calculate exactly how much societal and global harm these companies cause. We could shift that into dollars (somehow?), and make sure they pay that tax, or we start filtering their sites. I rarely believe restriction is the way to go, but nothing would really be lost here.
- Yeah the whole trade deficit is bullshit, with GAFA it's the other way around.
  But USA, why are we not buying your shitty cars or crappy food? One can wonder...
First, what the fuck is that random capitalization?
Yes, he’s a demented rapist.
Second, so your giving us in writing, that these tariffs ~~may~~ will be modified at will if you feel so.
Yes, he’s a demented rapist.
Third, which country are you talking about? Europe is a continent. EU is a union of independent countries/nations.
Yes, he’s an incredibly stupid and demented rapist.
He’s the most humiliating thing we could come up with, apparently.
As much as I fucking despise this shitbrick orange hitler, the capitalisation is standard in my limited experience, in legal documents it is common to treat an established concept as a proper noun to make it explicitly clear what you are referring to.
There may be a passage near the start which says something along the lines of "the proposed 30% trading tariff, herein referred to as the Tariff" or "the European Union trading area, herein referred to as the Country". (In this case those passages don't exist but I think the capitalisation still makes sense)
Equating the EU with Country is absolutely batshit insane though.
AMERICA NUMBER 1 YOU'LL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED (if your expectations are already on the floor)
It's a bit delusional to say that EU countries are truly independent. Yes, any country can independently decide to leave the union – but as long as you're part of it, you give up parts of your independence.
- The EU is very strange. Yes, there is a global unifying policy but countries still have a wide autonomy.
  Portugal has specific trade and travel agreements with individual countries, outside the wide EU policy. Other countries do this.
  In this specific situation, we already know it will be the bloc handling as a whole the issue. Spain has already stated that all commercial tariffs must be addressed to Brussels, as it is part of the common external relations policy. But individual countries can add their twist to end.
- Parts, sure, but they also still have separate foreign policy apart from trade. As seen in the American War on Afghanistan for example.
- It is delusional to say any country is truly independent. (don't know why you focus on the EU)
  They all live is the world and trade with each other because no country makes all the resources they need themselves.

Wasn't there something about the Epstein files we were all thinking about just before Trump spouted this new distraction?

Trust me, we're all still thinking about it. This is a failed attempt to deflect

TACO 🌮 IS 🌮 ON 🌮 THE 🌮 MENU

They need to stop pussy-footing around with Trump.

He says 30, they need to reciprocate with 60 percent, and will back down to 20 when he cancels the 30.

Make it permanently harmful to threaten this bullshit.

It would be more appropriate from Europe to count all the environmental harm corpos like Cocacola get away with and simply start taxing based on the extra strain they cause to society. Give a number and just not budge. It is not hard to deal with this man.
Suspend American IP in Europe (which is a counter-tariff measure that the EU has already approved regulations for).
Watch the TACO do his thing.
Unfortunately Europe can't very well afford to play hardball with him - not just because it's economically harmful to Europe, but also because Europe wants to keep at least some sort of foreign policy and military alliance, and cooperation in the midst of the war in Ukraine.
So EU already scrapped the plans of digital tax, giving Trump a win and gaining exactly nothing from this. There is still hope that Europe will pressure him at least a little bit - but not much hope, I'm afraid.
- A stable alliance with the Trump administration isn't possible, as has been made abundantly clear. There's no reason to give concessions to preserve one.

What is even fucking going on? It feels like a child touching random shit on their parents phone, opening apps and accidently calling and buying things. Meanwhile the rest of the world just goes wtf.

OK, what shares is he and his folks buying... We should do the same. His Black mail worked last time, should work again!

I am amazed thtavit keeps working every time. At some point, the market will stop reacting to the taco blackmails
- Because our politicians are corporation whores too. Or a corporation pimp going politician.
  Marie Antoinette Merz is a great example... I quote: If people do not have enough money when retired, they should buy shares...

I'm not great on economics but the concept of a tariff is that the entity importing something has to pay an extra levy in order to place in a market a given product.

This follows that an american importer of any trade goods of european origin will have to pay an extra thirty cents for each dollar such goods cost.

That extra cost will then be passed along the commercial chain, down to the final client.

So, prices go up for general public.

Meanwhile, nothing is stopping the country of origin of such products to divert their business to other countries, thus maintaining their normal activities.

Am I wrong or this whole thing is disastrous for the USA?

You’re right in how it works, except when you say nothing is stopping a country to sell elsewhere, demand/supply/market conditions do. They are probably selling to other countries as much as they can anyway, and still sell to the US as well. So when they can’t sell to the US, it won’t be easy for those companies to find other customers to take this volume. If they existed, they would have been sold to anyway.
- Practical example.
  I know this winery that usually exports nearly 95% of their production to the US. The owner spent a few decades there and made some contacts.
  Last year, they had some problem with the american market and were forced to search for other venues.
  They dropped their prices, opted to sell to our national market and did pretty much the same revenue they would have done exporting.
  Exporting to the US is often the thirst for easy profit. Products that sell here for cents can be sold at a premium in the US, as it is the de facto luxury hungry market. Doesn't really matter if it good; if is it expensive, it means it's good.
  Portugal mostly exports food goods to the US. I think cork, some clothing and shoes and some other items make up the basket, but in way lower quantities.
  I've seen cheese and wine that are considered run of the mill here sold for ten times more in the US market. Which I consider theft.
  This entire situation gets uglier the deeper we dig.
- But maybe not at a price between 1 and 1.3 dollar.
It is indeed bad for US businesses and consumers, and therefore for US economy in general, but as US market is so big and important, it's also bad for countries doing business with US, including in Europe, like, for example, German carmakers or French and Italian alcohol exporters.
- Though that's only true for the first few years. Once alternatives are established and trade with America is reduced it will be less and less until America will be not interesting anymore
- France and Italy could export to other countries easily or transform their cheap wine into properly aged wines and liqcours, with actual market value and product quality. Downsizing the industry wouldn't be a bad idea, also.
  Germany is already dwindling in their car industry. Could serve as a call to innovation an review of business practices.

I can't decide what's the ~~best~~ ~~worst~~ ~~best~~ most stand-out part, I keep coming back and rereading.

You will never be disappointed with The United States of America.

Are you selling us a car?

Therefore, we invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far.

We'd absolutely LOVE to but unfortunately we have to wash our hair. So sorry. Next time, for sure. Love you, kisses!

Therefore, we invite you to participate in the extraordinary Economy of the United States, the Number One Market in the World, by far.
any updates on the price of eggs?
you will never be disappointed
Oh I am right now.

Does he sign in fucking sharpie

honestly, if you handed him a fountain pen, i don't think he'd figure out how to use it.
- Cut to a video of tRump furiously trying to turn the ink of a 0.7mm ballpoint pen to the same thickness of his arrhythmic heartbeat signature like a kid trying to fill in their fake bubble-art graffiti during class. Tongue sticking out and everything!
In his first presidency, he started contracting pens specifically for this. It's a big signature that is very visible when he holds up his signed letter to the cameras after signing. It's a deliberate performance, with an absurd signature for that gesture and good pictures.
Just look at this absurdity
Every. Time.
/edit: New England Firm Makes President Trump’s Pens (YouTube) 1:20, 8 years ago
Naw, that's a jumbo crayon he borrows from Eric.
What does it even say in the first place. I know it should include either D or Donald and either T or Trump, possibly include J or whatever J stands for. The last teo letter look like ld, but the ones before look like rum, as if he just put something together like DumnldJTummmmld.

Sure. Just like last time, right Donny?

What a load of cringe.

And that second to last sentence is just the cherry on top of the pile of shit. Everybody is already severely disappointed.

By the way: Does anyoen know if it's even appropriate to call Von der Leyen "Her Excellency"? It sounds pretty weird to me.

Formal addressment.
It is an archaic way to address "officials" in public office, which ends up sounding as a preservation of royal/nobility occupation of positions, regardless living in a democratic regime.
It is argued as being a way to show respect and maintain dignity of institutions.
If want to write a letter to my municipal office, there is a template to be followed which starts with "To his/her Excelency, The President of the Municipality, Mr./Mrs. Dr. XXXXXXX". This is loosely translated, obvioulsy.
Democracy yet not equality nor accountability.
Take a look at the beginning of the constitution of the EU, that looks wild

Did a Sovcit write this?

I don't think so, but the delusions of grandeur sure sound familiar between the two. Talking out of their ass, like they know anything about what they speak of, is a tell-all trait of sovcits and tRump!

Calling Ursula her "excellency" sounds so weird to me, but apparently that's correct for foreign officials?? Would never have expected that.

I would have thought it would be "her stopsignness" or "her smsremoveress".

I'd have thrown that in the bin as spam if I didn't know better

Thank you for your attention to this matter
It’s like half a month so he can go back and forth 2-3 times. Let’s see.
- It's so much back and forth all the time, that I don't even know anymore what the current tariff rate is. 10%? None? Probably not even worth remembering though, because it changes all the time randomly anyway
Frame it and hang it in the toilet.
Even when you know better, throwing it away may be the best decision.

Jesus fuck thats a poorly written letter. The idea behind it is worse though

The layout. It burns.

THE Capitalization IS very Random and i feel that adds To an Aura Of AUTHORITY.
- TRADE is capitalized because is IMPORTANT. Imagine being President of the EU commission and having to deal with a toddler.
- Pleade do not Retaliate.
  What a clown show.
- I can't fuckin stand it, it drives me nuts

since when is the president of the European commission addressed as your excellency

It’s a cut and paste of all the other letters. I’ve seen more effort put into bulk job applications.
In the UN, everyone is addressed like that, including the heads of missions. I wouldn't be surprised if the presidents of the European Commission and European Council also get addressed like this.

Is that supposed to be English?

they should get the president of Liberia to translate

Hey! That's in about two weeks!

I'll believe it when I see it lol. Trump tariff threats just sound like whining at this point because he doesn't have the balls to actually follow through.

USA is namba waan!

They are on the way to become better than namba 1...at this rate they're going to become namba zero.

Right when I decide to buy a Fairphone 6, welp, guess I'm keeping my current phone till the the tariffs drop.

Just so you know you pay the tariff rate that was effective when the item was shipped, so if it is in transit before August 1st you would pay the current tariff rate
- It is released on August 1st for US market, it would be shipping then.

But I was told here Ratte debasing himself was a master play to get the orange moron off our backs. What happened??

This may be a stupid question, but... is "Excellency" used in a presidential context?:| I've only ever known it to be used when talking about monarchy and the Pope...

It's mostly used in an international political context. In the UN, it's what everyone uses, so why not?
Generally, ambassadors and leaders of UN missions get the form of address too, so I guess it makes sense, even if it's a bit archaic.
- Really haven't heard it used in these contexts before! Thank you!
  On the plus side, it'll be a while before my brain rewires the context associated with the word, so now I'll amuse myself imagining every political figure addressed as such wearing Pope hats and stuff.
  (yep, still me, this is my second account, trouble getting into the other one, for some reason)
What do you mean? A monarch is generally addressed as ‘Majesty’ or ‘(Royal) Highness’ (depending on rank), the Pope is addressed as ‘Holiness’. ‘Excellency’ is generally used for civil titles; I don’t think it’s strange to use ‘Excellency’ for the President of the European Commission. What would you use otherwise, ‘Miss President’ or something? That seems really over the top to me.
- Yep, genuinely only ever heard it when talking in a monarchic context, about kings/queens, Lords/Ladies and such, and in a Church context - as mentioned, when referring to the Pope, and Archbishops and such (remembered this latter part only now that I thought about it again).
  Funny, "Excellency" is what feels over the top to me, but may be due to the contexts in which I've heard it used - circumstances which have much more pomp and pageantry associated with them.
  Anyway, thank you! Learn something new every day!
  (yep, still me, this is my second account, trouble getting into the other one, for some reason)

It's just next level Covfefe

In ideal world EU should agree on a handful of red state exports on which we'd apply say 10%, let the US exporters explain their president why that's wrong and only then enter the negotiations with the US and whatever then the outcome is GET IT IN THE WRITING with his signature.

Yes, he would then try to blame the "evil EU", but having a written and signed agreement is the only way to prevent this monthly "it's on - and now it's off" charade.

Now unfortunately even if anybody had the balls to actually propose it there is too many actors who would shoot any such proposal down. Be it because of fear for their exports or just to be contrarian.

Getting something in writing and signed by Trump isn't worth much. He'll still change his mind and tear it up next week.
I was thinking the same. Maybe Cali and NYC to begin with.
Is it possible?
Oh and then increase tax on US big tech. :)

🌮

So basically they're paying us 30% more for our products? Sure, why not.

No. They are paying 30% tax to the USA, for anything imported from the EU.
Not that it makes a difference, but I'm boycotting everything I can from the USA.
No more taking at Esso or Jet. No more Prince rolls. No more Coca-Cola. Cancelled Netflix.
That‘s not how tariffs work. This is basically a EU-tax that american importers need to pay.
American consumers pay it to the importer, who pays it to the US government, who funnel directly into the pockets of Trump's cronies.
The EU might sell a little less over it, but it probably means that a lot of "To: USA" labels are getting swapped out for "To: China"..
It functions like this:
US American importers pay the tariffs to the US American state.
The effect on EU entities is secondary in nature: The US American importers will either buy less from the EU entities and substitute the rest from other countries or they will try to buy the same more cheaply because they can't keep up their previous value chain when the tariffs are included. Thereby demand for products from the EU will fall, hurting EU based exporters and more indirectly everyone up the chain from there.
It will also hurt the US American importers and more indirectly everyone down the chain from there.
Trump ignores the latter effect, and thinks the money raised for the US American state is more significant than it is. He also lies about the first step, but I think he knows how it really is, sometimes he lets it slip that he actually knows how tariffs work.