Originally Posted by Sunset Poet
Rob,
I don't know what is in the existing trade agreements as they stand.
But if they contain one-sided tariffs on US goods, then I, and a lot of people, don't care what's in them.
We want them looked at, and if it is un-fair, we want it made fair.
And if squaring them up makes us run out of bananas in February, I don't eat that many bananas anyway.

But in the case where the major singular market is headed by chumps who let their own country be taken advantage of by much smaller "trading partners,
THEN...when a once-in-a-century-disrupter comes to power that can choke the smaller trading partners markets off, those trading partners can't be so bold, and have to come to more equitable terms. I, and others, believe that possible scenario is worth shaking the tree.

Marty,
your post put a big smile on my face. The existing USMCA agreement between Mexico, Canada and the US was not touched by the Biden/Harris administration. It is still in place, unchanged. The agreement was signed by Donald J. Trump in early 2020. This is what he said about the agreement: “The USMCA is the fairest, most balanced, and beneficial trade agreement we have ever signed into law. It’s the best agreement we’ve ever made. I have to, certainly, give my highest regards to Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. A lot of stories came out about Justin and I having difficulty together, and we did over the trade deal. But I’ll tell you, it’s turned out to be a very, very good deal for both; and a very, very good deal for all three. It puts us in a position that we’ve never been in before."

You wrote "we want them looked at". Maybe you are right and we should double-check the agreement. Who knows, maybe Trump lied and the deal is unfair. We all know he has lied in the past. But if you are right and if the agreement actually is unfair and Trump, the chump, let his country be taken advantage of by much smaller trading partners, well, I suggest he should be fired! Signing agreements that are bad for the country is one thing but lying to the American people … in my view that is an absolute no-go. If that's the case, fire him! But wait, I think we can't fire him ... we could impeach him though.
Mexico is the largest single source of US horticultural imports. In 2023 Mexico supplied 63% of US vegetable imports and 47% of US fruit and nut imports. Marty, you apparently don’t need bananas. Who needs vegetables, fruits and nuts? I agree with you, I’m sure Americans can do without them. Are you really talking about cutting trade with Mexico completely off? If you do that, you’ll get problems with the NRA. They are selling loads of guns to Mexico. Those cartels you described have an insatiable appetite for American guns. Ooh, the NRA will hate you for saying that.
Marty, I have the impression you think these tariffs will really hurt those other countries. Maybe a little but not as much as they hurt America. Mexico can sell their vegetables to other countries. Those tariffs/taxes will hurt the American people the most. European countries know Trump will place tariffs on their products too. They are already looking for alternative markets. China is a possible candidate. I hate the idea but what should Europe do? If America doesn't buy their products because of the Trump taxes, they sell them somewhere else.

Originally Posted by Sunset Poet
Also,
I'm sure that you know that every asset class is in a bubble.
The top 30% are rich with inflated stocks and art works, etc.
The bottom 70% are collectively badly behind on some of their car payments.
A correction is inevitable.
One correction scenario is to let the stock market and everything else fall in order to ring money out of the system.
Trump may DESIRE that to happen early in his term, rather than later.

Marty, what you write here is total nonsense.
Trump has his own stock: Trump Media. His best buddies are Musk, Bezos, Cook and co., they all own companies listed on the stock market. Are you trying to tell me these guys want to dimmish their wealth substantially for the good of America? Marty, come on. You’re pulling my leg! Trump DESIRES that to happen? If that were the case, they should sell their stocks and donate the money to reduce our debt instead of just watching their profits evaporate on the stock market.
Every asset class is in a bubble? I happen to know a little of what I'm talking about here. That statement is total BS. A correction on the stock market is not inevitable. Who told you that? Stocks are not overvalued at the moment. You probably don't own stocks. If you did, you'd know better. If you ruin the stock market, you ruin the US economy. Can you give me just one reason why anybody would want to ruin the US economy? Marty, now I'm getting scared. In your opinion, what does make America great again mean? Many Americans have 401k plans. Why would Trump put our retirements plans at risk? I can't recall him ever saying he wanted to do that.

Originally Posted by Sunset Poet
And the most important thing for you to remember is that Marty don't really know what's gonna happen. He's just some ole' guy that wonders and watches. wink

Yes, true. We both don't know what the future has in store for us.

Last edited by Rob B.; 03/07/25 02:03 AM.