re: Let's suppose Trump is right. All countries come to the table...

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SFP - in your view, what would unfair trade look like?

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I don't even know. It's not my term.

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Or is your argument that there is no such thing?

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More that "unfair trade" joins a long list of malleable terms from MAGA.

Because anyone with a brain knows those countries cannot sustain their low wages without the trade barrier of tariffs. Tariffs arent a tax, they are a trade barrier. Once you come to grips with that, your knowledge base will expand

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What Are Tariffs?

Tariffs are a type of trade barrier that makes imported products more expensive than domestic ones. Tariffs typically come in the form of taxes or duties levied on importers, and they're eventually passed on to consumers. They're commonly used in international trade as a protectionist measure.

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They dont give an eff if they make one dime off their tariffs. They just dont want US products sold there. They keep their wages low. They can sell their products cheaply at home, and they can devalue their dollar to undercut anything the US does

But when they have to pay an entry fee to access our 360M consumers, suddenly their low wages are meaningless

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Because anyone with a brain knows those countries cannot sustain their low wages without the trade barrier of tariffs.

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This is dumb as shite.

Their SOL and economic status permits the low wages.

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and they can devalue their dollar to undercut anything the US does

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Which ensures we remain the reserve currency and petrodollar, which makes us rich as frick.

It also means our exports are even more expensive for them, which permits us to invest that in more high-margin, higher-end output.

That's why we've benefited so greatly from this system and have remained the dominant economic force with nobody in our tier.

Latest Trump Tariff Update on various countries who are in active negotiations with the Trump Administration as of this morning.

Canada: Following initial tariffs imposed by the U.S., Canada has signaled willingness to negotiate, suggesting they are open to ending tariffs entirely as of April 2, 2025.

Mexico: Like Canada, Mexico has been mentioned as one of the first countries to begin negotiating better trade terms in response to U.S. tariffs, with indications of progress by early April 2025.

Vietnam: Multiple sources highlight Vietnam as actively negotiating or pledging to reduce tariffs on U.S. goods to avoid reciprocal tariffs, with mentions dating back to late March and early April 2025.

India: India has been noted for pursuing a significant tariff reduction deal, with negotiations reportedly advancing as early as March 26, 2025, and continuing into April, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030.

Israel: Israel is frequently cited as one of the countries making efforts to negotiate or align with the U.S. on trade terms, with mentions of "making nice" or pledging tariff reductions by April 5, 2025.

Japan: Japan has been indicated as planning to negotiate, per world news outlets suggesting they are likely to follow suit with concrete plans forming by early April 2025.

South Korea: South Korea is mentioned as engaging in talks or pledging to drop tariffs on U.S. goods, with sentiment on X indicating active negotiation efforts by April 5, 2025.

Thailand: Thailand is noted as being on the verge of negotiations, per news outlets suggesting they will soon join others in talks, though plans are not yet concrete as of April 5, 2025.

Argentina: Argentina has been referenced as coming to the negotiating table, with indications of intent to work out a deal as early as April 2, 2025.

Australia: Australia is included in lists of countries talking tariff and trade deals, per news reports dated April 5, 2025, though specifics remain less detailed.

United Kingdom: The U.K. is mentioned as part of a dozen nations negotiating with the Trump administration, with efforts noted on April 5, 2025, to potentially reverse or adjust tariffs.

Cambodia: Cambodia is listed alongside others in news reports from April 5, 2025, as engaging in tariff and trade discussions, though less prominently detailed.

Norway: Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre has expressed readiness to negotiate with the U.S. to address the 15% tariff imposed on Norwegian exports, indicating a proactive stance as early as April 3, 2025, given the importance of the U.S. as its third-largest export market.

Brazil: Brazil has been noted as seeking negotiations rather than immediate retaliation, with a reciprocity bill passed on April 2, 2025, allowing it to respond to tariffs but preferring dialogue, as suggested by Atlantic Council insights.

Colombia: While initially facing only the baseline 10% tariff due to its trade deficit with the U.S., Colombia’s government has been engaging to maintain favorable terms, especially given upcoming tensions with the U.S. over narcotics and trade policies.

Italy: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly stated intentions to negotiate with the U.S. to prevent a trade war, with comments from April 2, 2025, emphasizing dialogue over retaliation, as reported by TIME.

Taiwan: Facing a 32% reciprocal tariff announced on April 2, 2025, Taiwan has been highlighted in discussions as a key player due to its dominance in advanced semiconductor production. While no formal announcement of negotiations has been widely reported by Taiwanese officials have suggested Taiwan is likely engaging with the U.S. to mitigate the impact, given the strategic importance of its exports.

Singapore: Singapore has been mentioned in the international media outlets as part of a broader group of nations potentially negotiating, with some users speculating it could leverage its trade surplus status to seek a deal. No official confirmation exists, but its economic ties with the U.S. make it a plausible candidate.

Philippines: The Philippines has surfaced in media reports as a country that might be quietly approaching the table, especially given its trade relationship with the U.S. and the baseline 10% tariff affecting its exports. Sentiment suggests it could be aligning with Southeast Asian neighbors like Vietnam and Thailand.

Indonesia: Similar to the Philippines, Indonesia has been referenced in news outlets as potentially engaging, driven by its trade surplus with the U.S. and the need to address the reciprocal tariff threat, though concrete announcements are lacking as of now.

Malaysia: Malaysia, with its significant electronics exports to the U.S., faces the 10% baseline tariff and potentially higher reciprocal rates. The Star speculates from Malaysian sources that it is taking Vietnam’s lead in negotiating, given its trade surplus and reliance on U.S. markets, though no formal statement has been widely noted.

Chile: As a country with a free trade agreement with the U.S., Chile has been mentioned by El Mercurio as potentially seeking to renegotiate or reaffirm terms to avoid tariff escalation. Its copper exports make it sensitive to U.S. trade policies, suggesting quiet talks could be underway.

Peru: Similar to Chile, Peru’s trade relationship with the U.S. under existing agreements might prompt it to negotiate adjustments. El Comercio news has lumped it with Latin American nations like Argentina and Brazil as possibly engaging, though details remain scarce.

New Zealand: New Zealand has surfaced in global news discussions as a potential negotiator, particularly given its agricultural exports to the U.S. and a desire to maintain market access. While not as prominent as Australia, its trade profile suggests it could be exploring options.

Switzerland: With a trade surplus with the U.S., Switzerland has been flagged in Reuters, Financial Times, and Al Jezeera as a candidate for talks to avoid reciprocal tariffs. Its focus on pharmaceuticals and machinery exports might drive discreet negotiations, though no loud announcements have emerged.

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you do believe a country could take advantage of another using tariffs and trade restrictions; do I have that right?

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"Take advantage" is bad language. I already did respond (in detail)

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One country can engage in irrational domestic protectionism that hurts their citizens and limits our exporting into the country of some goods, sure.

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How many Americans would love cheaper Vietnamese catfish and shrimp? Millions

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Not as many as you’d think. The issue we face a lot is outside of the southeast no other states require proper labeling laws. Many restaurants pass it off by inferring it’s domestic without saying where the fish or shrimp is from and many assume it’s American.

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That's why we've benefited so greatly from this system

Few agree with you

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The average human is pretty stupid.

We are the worlds economic king, and the worlds economic bully.

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Our economic status/rankings, along with the dominance of USD, matter more than opinion.

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Like I was saying

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Economic lookahead: What to expect on the global, US and California stages

January 27, 2025

The likelihood of a meaningful decline in U.S. geoeconomic power is much more realistic over the next five to 10 years — especially if the U.S. doesn’t get its fiscal house in order or U.S. policymaking gives other countries strong incentives to consider alternatives.

There are several reasons why uncertainty may surge in 2025. First, the political situation in the U.S. and Europe is volatile. Second, the fiscal situation in the U.S. is increasingly concerning. If unaddressed, a fiscal reckoning is unavoidable — and it will be fast and painful.

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. Trump wants to lower corporate tax rate to 15%. Vietnam is 20 or 21%. Some of this offsets labor costs.

There are other advantages to manufacturing in most states in the US. Not true for all. I can assure you no company is going to close a place in Vietnam and then open any type of manufacturing facility in California or NY.