rump's trade wars

Trump's not rump's - perhaps a freudian slip!

Apparently he’s not starting a trade war, it’s just a step in a renotiating process. His idea of getting better terms seems to be to go to the last, final threat first and then changing his mind. Only he doesn’t just threaten it, he does it and then changes back. His style of business to keep everyone on their toes and nervous. It may have worked with North Korea - changing his mind about a meeting just to show he can, and then changing it back again to try to get a better deal - but I think he may have misjudged this one.

This is disappointing....thought the rump may indicate an interesting thread!
It gets people looking anyway Varian.
Good analysis Nfk I think you are very likely right.

We are always complaining that politicians never keep their word when campaigning. He said he was going to do something for the steel workers: well now he has.
I believe that once we are out of the eu, trade tariffs between us and the US will change.

I really can’t blame him for keeping his ejection promise and getting a better deal for the US steel workers. I think maybe some people just look for reasons to dislike him. The US economy is booming at the minute so he must be doing something right .

It’s a pity none of our political parties give a monkey’s toot about our steel workers and infact most other heavy industry . Oh yes silly me , they tend to be Northern and therefore don’t count .

I can't stand Trump and think this sudden imposition of a 25% tariff is very foolhardy and damaging to world stability.

However, I think the globalisation of markets has to some extent resulted in a "race to the bottom". I don't believe the answer is to start a trade war - that will just cause chaos. I think the various economies of the world should focus more on co-operation rather than competition and try and establish who should be making what in order avoid over-production and massive surpluses. Easier said than done I know, but perhaps a new approach is needed.

I wonder if he's had to do it because the US economy isn't as healthy as he pretends?

"ejection promise" - wishful thinking maybe?!

But I do agree that he is doing what he said on his tin.

I think Trump promises big (to keep his core supporters happy) but delivers small. His followers remember his declared agenda more than the outcome. ie Obama Care hasn't been dismantled, Mexican Wall, and now downplaying what is achievable in N. Korea for example?

Varian in the OP
'This report was published before the presidential election, and yet huge numbers of "rustbelt" voters still chose Trump!!!'
A similar thing happened in the last french pres. election - much of Marine LePen's support came from the NE France rustbelt.

I think when the rich get considerably richer and the poor get considerably poorer then there is always a danger of politicians with extreme views gaining support . People need something to cling to.

That's true, gilly.
And also the kind of situation that Hitler exploited in the early 30s depression.

Yes Fennel, its worrying.

It seems to be all too easy for right wing politicians and media proprietors to exploit the discontent and anger of those who are having a hard life.

It does not seem to matter that they should be blaming our present and past governments for their woes - it seems to be easy to find another villain to pin the blame on -foreigners, immigrants, the EU, "them".

This has happened so many times in history and the only possible solution has to be a fairer society and better education so that their ignorance cannot be exploited .

Republicans are finally reaching their breaking point with President Donald Trump on trade.

One faction of GOP senators is pushing Sen. Bob Corker's (R-Tenn.) legislation that would allow Congress to block Trump's tariffs — which Trump is trying to kill before it comes to the Senate floor. Another group is holding private meetings with Trump, hoping it can convince him via back-channel negotiations to back off a brewing trade war with U.S. allies before Congress steps in.

www.politico.com/story/2018/06/06/trump-tariffs-bob-corker-bill-629124

That most iconic American company, Harley Davidson, has announced it will relocate much of its production abroad to avoid the increased tarrifs imposed by Europe in response to Trump's hike in tarrifs on imports. What did he expect?

Talking of Trump, I was very interested to read that according to Thomas Markle, Prince Harry is 'willing to give him a chance'.

That has always been my view actually, but of course so many people have decided they hate him, so will never give him any credit for any achievements.

As has been said, he vowed to help US industries, and that is what he is doing.

How is his trade was helping Harley Davidson?

Trump's trade was is harming Harley Davidson, not helping it in any way

According to the BBC the cost of metals for industry has now risen for American manufacturers! I'm not sure how that's supposed to help their industry.

Didn't protectionist trade tariffs by America play a big part in the 1930s Depression starting a global trade war, which if it did not cause the Depression at least it exacerbated it? Let's hope we're not at the start of a similar situation now, particularly as Brexit looms.

During his election campaign Trump liked to accuse his opponents of being "the elite". He said "Globalization has made the financial elite who donate to politicians very wealthy. But it has left millions of our workers with nothing but poverty and heartache. I want you to imagine how much better our future can be if we declare independence from the elites who’ve led us to one financial and foreign policy disaster after another. I was on the right side of that issue — with the people — while Hillary, as always, stood with the elites."

Now he seems to have turned that statement upside down, saying: "We have more money and more brains and better houses and apartments and nicer boats. We are smarter than they are. They say the elite. We are the elite. You are the elite. "

nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/06/trump-calls-supporters-elite-doesnt-understand-populism.html