Want to understand what Trump is doing?

The USA is more than self-sufficient in wheat and exports to many other countries.
So why do they import bread? 🤔

I don’t know Norah, but as the USA exports it’s wheat surplus, I didn’t understand what ronib meant, unless it was that nobody would buy their surplus if the tariffs were imposed, which would push up prices there.

Where will they import all these home bread makers from?
Mine was made in Japan or Taiwan, I think.
Most are probably made in China.

I had one, it was ok but trying to feed a family of, say, six using a bread making machine would be a non-stop production!

That is bizarre, yes, checked, they do export wheat to a large number of countries: Mexico the biggest, but also Japan and other far destinations. Yet they import bread?

I also noticed problems in wheat production USA due to climate change, " In summer 2021, the world faced a wheat shortage due to heatwaves and droughts that hit the US and Canada".

Allira

The USA is more than self-sufficient in wheat and exports to many other countries.
So why do they import bread? 🤔

Perhaps labour cost is less in Mexico and Canada? It would, of course, as here, always cost far less to easily make bread at home.

I did notice the wheat has a surplus but other grains not so much. Reading more gives a bizarre picture, read this from a farmer in the USA

"Scott Born, a wheat farmer near Dallas, Texas, said he needs a price of at least $6 per bushel of wheat to break even, a price that is also above the current cash price in his region.
The costs to transport and produce American wheat remain high compared with Black Sea and European wheat, raising existential concerns about the long-term competitiveness of U.S. exports.

The U.S. is the world's No. 5 wheat exporter, having lost market share to top exporter Russia an other producers in recent years.

The global market is so competitive that American companies at times have bought European wheat to take advantage of low prices

The USDA estimates wheat imports in the current marketing year at 18 million bushels, the highest in a decade.

Norah

Allira

The USA is more than self-sufficient in wheat and exports to many other countries.
So why do they import bread? 🤔

Perhaps labour cost is less in Mexico and Canada? It would, of course, as here, always cost far less to easily make bread at home.

It's time, though.

Most women are working as well as bringing up families. Using a bread maker saves time but even so, making packed lunches etc with home-made bread is time-consuming.

Allira

Norah

Allira

The USA is more than self-sufficient in wheat and exports to many other countries.
So why do they import bread? 🤔

Perhaps labour cost is less in Mexico and Canada? It would, of course, as here, always cost far less to easily make bread at home.

It's time, though.

Most women are working as well as bringing up families. Using a bread maker saves time but even so, making packed lunches etc with home-made bread is time-consuming.

Could take time, I suppose. Also healthier and reasonably priced. I've no bread maker, make bread whilst (say) washing up.

Warburtons is not, I believe, what people eat for health.

Wyllow3

Thats what pundits are saying in the USA:

"But Trump’s tariffs pose a big risk: They could backfire, lifting already-high consumer prices at the grocery store, rocking the shaky stock market or killing jobs in a full-blown trade war.

“This may be the biggest own-goal yet,” Mary Lovely, senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told CNN in a phone interview. “This is a huge gamble. It’s a recipe for slowing down the economy and increasing inflation.”

The Wall Street Journal went a step further, publishing a scathing op-ed on Saturday titled: “The Dumbest Trade War in History.”

edition.cnn.com/2025/02/02/business/trump-economy-tariff-mexico-canada-china/index.html

I cannot believe that Trump really is unaware of the risks involved - can he be? He also has aides and advisers doesn't he? He is, after all, first and foremost, a business man...

Is this just some sort of gamble designed to bring home to Canada that he can play tough over the immigration and Fentanyl controls he's demanding? And to impress his supporters with his red-blooded "America First" promise?

Watching Trump perform at his rallies - he's a bit of a showman, and does seem to bask in the glow of admiration - the cheers and hurrahs he gets after making these sound-bites and mantras. It's the only time I've seen his defensive purse-lipped I-mean-business-pout turn into a beaming smile.

Is this just for domestic consumption, this sabre-rattling?

I don't believe either he or his supporters are ignorant of the ramifications of a trade-war. Surely they, his supporters, must be aware that this stance can backfire - on them ultimately?

What's equally, or maybe more, worrying, is what Musk is up to with his federal cost-cutting scissors.

It's assumed that Trump has money - but does he? It's alleged that he's never been in a position to pay his own debts or finance his own campaigns. The amount that Musk poured into his campaign does beg the question - how much is Trump indebted to Musk, and how much influence does that give Musk over Trump?

I hope these musings don't come across as hysteria - there has been such a complaint on this thread. I'm pondering with a sandwich in one hand and cup of tea in the other; the sun is shining and I'm about to go into the garden to check on the snowdrops (some are already out), and probably won't give another thought to the Trump-Musk-roadshow until I open up GN again at some point. It's quite possible to be deeply involved with 'politics' and have a life outside of the subject at the same time. Just saying...

It’s not hysteria Dickens, it’s caused genuine confusion in the USA too, he’s moved on beyond his election promises, and nobody seems to understand whether there actually is a game plan, whether he’s firing random shots out, whether what he’s doing is being controlled by Project 2025 without the groundwork being done first, or whatever else. It’s really bizarre, who knows what the next thing will be, we can only second guess.
I’m grateful to those in the USA who are providing information we don’t have access to readily, which keeps it real.

I've been popping the BBC I player news feed and Trump has just posted this: beyond arrogant!

Trump repeats desire to make Canada the '51st state

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be forgiven for thinking today might be his political Groundhog Day.

That's because US President Donald Trump has once again called for the country north of its border to become America's 51st state.

*In a post on Truth Social, Trump writes that - without 'subsidies' - Canada "ceases to exist as a viable country".
"Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS," Trump writes.
Last week, the US leader told reporters he loves Canada, before adding: “I view it as, honestly, a country that should be a state*

Wyllow3

I've been popping the BBC I player news feed and Trump has just posted this: beyond arrogant!

Trump repeats desire to make Canada the '51st state

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau would be forgiven for thinking today might be his political Groundhog Day.

That's because US President Donald Trump has once again called for the country north of its border to become America's 51st state.

*In a post on Truth Social, Trump writes that - without 'subsidies' - Canada "ceases to exist as a viable country".
"Canada should become our Cherished 51st State. Much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS," Trump writes.
Last week, the US leader told reporters he loves Canada, before adding: “I view it as, honestly, a country that should be a state*

"We don’t need anything they have. We have unlimited Energy, should make our own Cars, and have more Lumber than we can ever use. Without this massive subsidy, Canada ceases to exist as a viable Country."

Said Trump.

... then why so keen to make it the 51st State?

And, it's not quite true either...

Oh, and he's admitted that the tariffs might cause some pain (for Americans) - but that it will be worth it.

Perhaps those that voted (and some were interviewed) for Trump on the basis they believed their weekly grocery bills and cost of living would go down, might not share his opinion.

I just saw that all USA alcohol is being removed from the shelves in some Canadian states - there is apparently a cost of 1 billion dollars in exported alcohol a year from USA to Canada - definitely non essential.

👏👏

Casdon

I just saw that all USA alcohol is being removed from the shelves in some Canadian states - there is apparently a cost of 1 billion dollars in exported alcohol a year from USA to Canada - definitely non essential.

So, The Trade War's first shots are fired from Canada.

All so unnecessary - as if such a war will solve the problem of illegal immigration and drugs crossing the border - operations run by criminal gangs who are part of a cartel of criminal gangs. It will take a major offensive - an international offensive - to in any way deal with the power and violence of these gangs and make a dent in their activities.

But maybe that wasn't the real reason for the tariffs - who knows.

I think Canada has to hit hard and fast. That's the only way bullies understand. And trump is a bully

I agree Grandmabatty, Canada's doing the right thing.

We have extended family in Canada and they are ready to boycott American goods and produce.

Our co grandparents have a home in Florida, they probably spend 40% of the year there, they haven’t made plans for this year so far.

President Trudeau gave an excellent speech about the tariffs. It brought a tear to my eye and I have nothing to do with Canada at all😆

Worth watching, I think.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=92rutFiIWAM

Thanks for posting MaizieD Great speech and I was interested to see the comments, huge support from Canadians and also from Americans!

Trump knows what the results of this trade war will be IMO. His supporters? Maybe not.

I am thrilled that Canada is calling his bluff. It's about time someone does. And unfortunately, until his supporters feel the consequences of their vote, they will continue to support him.

I am still at wait and see mode. I am with other who think this is all a power play. Him saying he wants Canada to be the 51st state again today makes me suspicious though.

Yes, it was really moving. Lots of similar U tubes on it.

I wonder if the US will find that there’s a drop in tourism from the rest of the world? Just a thought.

Already a vote on Mumsnet "stop buying American"

J52

I wonder if the US will find that there’s a drop in tourism from the rest of the world? Just a thought.

Would you go in next 4 years? I certainly would not- we planned to finally visit Yellowstone with US friends- but we cancelled and they are joining us on our trip to Croatia and Montenegro instead.