Trump China Tariff now 145%

imaround

This is all on purpose. They are manipulating the stock market and insider trading IMO.

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-billionaire-profits-dropped-tariffs-b2731386.html

They have increased their own wealth, but have misjudged the reaction from other countries though imaround, so the future is uncharted territory I think. It makes the world a more scary place for us all.

Is anyone surprised by the alleged insider trading. Trump has been involved in less than honest pursuits before.

China have a lot of US bonds which if they sell could cause problems for Trump.

If they sell them on the secondary market it wouldn't cause any direct problems for the US, only China would lose if they have gone down in price below their original purchase price. I can't see China deliberately losing money like that.

OTOH, if China were to demand repayment from the US treasury of their original purchase money it could be a PR problem, though it couldn't really bankrupt a country which issues its own currency.

I see that now China has embargoed exports of rare earths, and Putin has gone on the attack in Ukraine, making Trump look a fool for believing he could broker a peace deal or even a ceasefire. He is now turning on Zelensky and blaming him!!

Otoh Trump could default - he has floated the idea.

Bit of light relief

M0nica

I see that now China has embargoed exports of rare earths, and Putin has gone on the attack in Ukraine, making Trump look a fool for believing he could broker a peace deal or even a ceasefire. He is now turning on Zelensky and blaming him!!

I could have sworn that I posted that information earlier today on this thread

Whitewavemark2

Otoh Trump could default - he has floated the idea.

Trump ‘could’ default but I suspect that China knows very well that the US can’t become bankrupt as they, too, are able to issue their own currency in whatever quantity they choose.

I the US did default surely no-one would buy their bonds in the future?

I agree Casdon. He did not at all expect what happened.

The good news out of all of this, if you can find a single good thing about him, is that the rest of the world now knows what they are dealing with. A megalomaniac who isn't as tough as people thinks he is. He keeps blinking. And every time he does, it emboldens countries like China to push back. It also opens a window to more Americans pushing back.

He is desperately trying to quell protests right now. They keep getting bigger. There is a conspiracy theory that he will declare Marshall Law on April 20th. I don't particularly buy into it, but has shown he is capable of anything.

MaizieD

M0nica

I see that now China has embargoed exports of rare earths, and Putin has gone on the attack in Ukraine, making Trump look a fool for believing he could broker a peace deal or even a ceasefire. He is now turning on Zelensky and blaming him!!

I could have sworn that I posted that information earlier today on this thread

Yes, and I picked it up and added comments about Putin and Zelemsky to reach a further conclusion.
That is what a discussion is all about.

imaround

I have no idea Casdon. Most of his agenda comes from The Heritage Foundation and Project 2025. Multiple members of his cabinet are authors of Project 2025.

You can actually track the progess of P2025 here:

www.project2025.observer/

At least, I suppose, thereis a bit of a Plan

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c977njnvq2do

pascal30

M0nica

The man is an idiot - and so are many of his advisors. Putin and Xi are just running rings round them and making them look more and more stupid with every move.

Making America Great Again? All Trump can do is Make America Look Stupid

Not only that Monica.. but he has now cut grants to the very same universities where much of the world's new innovations are created.. thus potentially losing their lead in all sorts of technologies, medicine and scientific research

America have 6000 colleges and universities. Perhaps target is the more liberal ones?

Harvard University rejects Trump administration's demands, risking billions in funding

ABC News
PETER CHARALAMBOUS
Mon, April 14, 2025 at 2:22 PM CDT

Harvard University is refusing to comply with a series of demands from the Trump administration, potentially risking billions in federal funding.

In a letter on Monday, Harvard University President Alan Garber said the school "will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights" by agreeing to a series of terms proposed by the Trump administration.

The Trump administration demanded Harvard end its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, adopt merit-based admissions and cooperate with immigration authorities -- or risk losing $9 billion in federal funding.

Last month, Columbia University agreed to comply with the administration's demands regarding campus policies and governance after its federal funding was suspended following campus protests. The agreement came after the administration cited concerns about antisemitism and public safety.

The Department of Education has also initiated investigations into Cornell University and Northwestern University, according to White House officials. The Trump administration has halted more than $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell and $790 million to Northwestern due to investigations into alleged civil rights violations.

Harvard just said they will not give up their Constitutional rights. They risk $9 billion in funding I read.

"Harvard University rejected a list of demands from the Trump administration that would require sweeping changes at the higher education institution to secure back nearly $9 billion in federal funding, saying it would not allow itself “to be taken over by the federal government.”

In a letter to administration officials on Monday, lawyers for the university said the list of demands the government sent in early April “go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration” and refused to agree to the terms.

Trump administration officials had demanded Harvard end all diversity, equity and inclusion policies, crack down on student protesters, limit the power of students and faculty over school leaders, cooperate with federal law enforcement like the Department of Homeland Security and more."

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/harvard-university-reject-trump-funds-b2733234.html

Some concerns about our relationship with China over the Steel works at Scunthorpe. We cant afford to "go to war" with them...

MaizieD

Whitewavemark2

Otoh Trump could default - he has floated the idea.

Trump ‘could’ default but I suspect that China knows very well that the US can’t become bankrupt as they, too, are able to issue their own currency in whatever quantity they choose.

I the US did default surely no-one would buy their bonds in the future?

Yes of course, which is why I think after Trump floated the idea, the bond market was spooked.

I doubt whether we will hear more of that idea.

What about the other Ivy League universities?

I’m not really sure that the universities can win this tbh.

But we will see.

Of course it is bloody foolish on Trumps part, as innovation R&D etc from the universities in any country are real drivers of the economy and society.

Just read up some more on the Harvard situation. Proposals do de facto mean that the government can control what is taught and also students can re reported

"Some of the changes included: reporting students to the federal government who are "hostile" to American values; ensuring each academic department is "viewpoint diverse"; and hiring an external government-approved party to audit programs and departments.

Trump has been using the demonstrations on Gaza last year as a reason to intervene and is ordering disciplinary action on students who took part, but the changes go far beyond it - control of academic freedom.

I find it astonishing that Musk is still lecturing us on free speech.

Whitewavemark2

What about the other Ivy League universities?

I’m not really sure that the universities can win this tbh.

But we will see.

Of course it is bloody foolish on Trumps part, as innovation R&D etc from the universities in any country are real drivers of the economy and society.

There are 6000 colleges and universities in America. Whilst I think these demands to funding are horrible, the numbers seem small.

"The eight members of the Ivy League are Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Yale University.

The conference headquarters is in Princeton, New Jersey.

All of the "Ivies" except Cornell were founded during the colonial period and therefore make up seven of the nine colonial colleges.

The other two colonial colleges, Queen's College (now Rutgers University) and the College of William & Mary, became public institutions."

Daughter3 received her master's degree from Harvard. I assume she could have received the same at any other college in the US. However, I don't believe DEI etc should be excuse to meddle.

Well, the last thing a tyrant wants is an educated populace. Restrict institutions of learning to teaching agreed by yourself, control the media - job done!

Chocolatelovinggran

Well, the last thing a tyrant wants is an educated populace. Restrict institutions of learning to teaching agreed by yourself, control the media - job done!

Agreed.

Wouldn't such a tyrant target all colleges / institutions of learning? Are funding cuts for all institutions of learning?

Norah - only the prestigious colleges are likely to hold out for teaching anything other than the syllabus set by their ruling classes ( including, presumably, the new Education Secretary who can't tell the difference between AI, aka Artificial Intelligence, and A1, aka a barbecue sauce)
The lesser ones are more likely to fall in line. Remember, there are still states in which Darwin is considered less worthy of recognition than Genesis in school.

Chocolatelovinggran

Norah - only the prestigious colleges are likely to hold out for teaching anything other than the syllabus set by their ruling classes ( including, presumably, the new Education Secretary who can't tell the difference between AI, aka Artificial Intelligence, and A1, aka a barbecue sauce)
The lesser ones are more likely to fall in line. Remember, there are still states in which Darwin is considered less worthy of recognition than Genesis in school.

Many comedians joked AI and A1. Knowledgable Education Secretary?

people.com/a1-steak-sauce-has-hilarious-response-after-secretary-of-education-linda-mcmahon-flubs-11714927

Chocolatelovinggran

Norah - only the prestigious colleges are likely to hold out for teaching anything other than the syllabus set by their ruling classes ( including, presumably, the new Education Secretary who can't tell the difference between AI, aka Artificial Intelligence, and A1, aka a barbecue sauce)
The lesser ones are more likely to fall in line. Remember, there are still states in which Darwin is considered less worthy of recognition than Genesis in school.

I understand some of the differences between what people believe in various states. However, I question why ivy colleges are being targeted - America are replete with good colleges. Aproximately 6000.

Maybe the Donald thinks the Chinese are infiltrating their universities with dubious intent as they did ours 5 years ago.
More than likely nothings changed.

www.theguardian.com/education/2019/nov/05/alarming-chinese-meddling-at-uk-universities-exposed-in-report