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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, February 03, 2025

Are Trump's Tariff Threats a Bluff?

I can only think that Trump's threatened tariffs against Mexico and Canada, which will hurt American consumers by increasing inflation, are another one of his bluffs. Of course, the risk that they will backfire is great, but it will have no impact on him or his increasing number of kleptocrats. It will, however, negatively impact the people who voted for him if he goes through with his threats. That's why I think he'll soon declare himself a winner and move on to the next manufactured crisis. 

Although Trump has said trade wars are "easy to win," the truth is that they extended the Great Depression. 

114 comments:

Anonymous said...

These tariffs are placed on component parts used in manufacturing. For example, a headlight and not the entire car. An automaker can choose to source his headlights from another vendor.

I really can’t think of anything made exclusively in Canada or Mexico that an average individual American consumer can’t find a replacement source for right here.

Sometimes, Bernie, it’s difficult to determine if you are simply anti-anything Trump, or anti-American.

Anonymous said...

Fox News had to pay billions for spreading misinformation and these sheep still watch it. Fox is spinning all this BS as if it is a good thing. Trump and Musk are going to ruin this country and his supporters are so blind, ignorant, or hateful they do not care. What would it take for you to recognize you made a huge mistake?

Anonymous said...

TDS. Come on, Bernie. You're not getting any younger.

Anonymous said...

Negotiation tool, asshole. Geez, these TDS symptoms not only make you look stupid; they also bring out the full blown asshole features of your ideology.....

Anonymous said...

Maybe. Threats have worked before. Tariffs are a bad idea. Unsecured borders and fentanyl deaths are a much worse idea.

Anonymous said...

I think this is a hail Mary pass. This is more than President Trump, it seems that the powers to be know the status quo has to change. In order to "incentivize" manufacturing they have to make it more profitable for business to set up shop in the US vs. overseas. The economy has been papered over since 2008 for the benefit of the top 10% and we are way overdue for a recession. They need the economy to tank and recover within 2 years or the agenda is over. Now the question is why did China only get 10% vs 25%. One interesting footnote, they also rescinded the "de minimus" loophole of $800 or less. This is going to kill the drop shippers from China where most of the crap on Amazon comes from, and chemicals that make certain drugs. Like I said its a hail Mary pass.

Anonymous said...

Don't worry yourself about the Canadian tariffs! You can replace your Canadian maple syrup with good ole American corn syrup sweetener with fake maple flavor made by Big Food and approved by Biden FDA holdovers.

Anonymous said...

He's an imbecile

Vladimir Ill-itch said...

He huffs and puffs, but he doesn't bluff.

Anonymous said...

Just remember that congress has its mid-term elections in a little less than two years. Many well known Republicans are up for reelection. The Dems will hang this on them and retake the house and senate. And if you know someone who is a MAGA person then ask that person why they hate their country so much.

Anonymous said...

I'm just here to read all the comments from MAGA who are done being experts in vaccines, and are now experts in global economics.

Anonymous said...

Did Trump have tariffs in his first term? Yes he did. Did it cause inflation then? No. BTW the worst inflation year over year was Democrats. Energy will be cheaper and keep inflation down. The media will gaslight this to death and their credibility is at an all time low.

Donald Trump (2017–2021)
Average YOY Inflation Rate: 1.9%

https://www.investopedia.com/us-inflation-rate-by-president-8546447

Ray Nemeth Sr said...

In Trump's first term he used tariffs as a lever to engage in negotiations to address real abuses. It seems he wants our neighbors to cooperate more on trafficking, border control and more. I doubt that Canada and Mexico have equal leverage as the U.S, we will have to wait and see what is the plan.
Trade war with China is another matter, if it is tactic to encourage compromise, it may work, but I suspect that China has more leverage than the U.S. it could be very damaging, if it's truly a trade war.
The reality is that 4 years of threatening China with war are hard to put aside and discern the difference between negotiating tactics and real economic warfare, a very dangerous situation.
I see that you have reserved judgment on this , a good sign.

Anonymous said...

Trump likes tariffs because they are so simplistic. He can’t really negotiate. For Trump every conflict has a winner and a looser and nothing in between. He thinks that’s leadership. It’s stupid leadership. He can’t understand that conflict negotiations require all parties involved getting something they want. That would be too complex for his pea brain. So Americans get ready, you’ll be paying more, but Trump is ok with you fighting his battles. Adding to the price of a Ford is not America First.

Anonymous said...

Trump is the great distractor. “Look at what I’m doing with tariffs. Don’t look at the Senate vote on the loyal clowns I want in my cabinet, or that Musk now controls the money for your day-care and Medicare.”

Anonymous said...

Biden messed this country up BIG TIME Trump has a big job which he will do because he is not a politician that is the major factor why he is so good.

Anonymous said...

Trump is putting America First In the end we will come out way ahead. He is not like the Democrats who are out to save the world at Americans expense.

Anonymous said...

Bernie, Bernie, Bernie... Let the elected President of the United States do what he campaigned on. Instead of listening to nearly EVERY news source that tells you why this is a bad idea, why not listen to why these tariffs are considered important. Listen to the purpose of the tariffs and what benefit they actually will have in the greater scheme of things. You are part of the problem. Report both sides, or just go away.

Anonymous said...

Before 1919 there was no income tax and tariffs funded the entire federal government. There's great concern that we'll lose our imported slave labor and mom will have to pay more for her blueberry smoothies. That mindset is shallow and disgusting. The left wants imported voters and NGO programs for immigrants to slop on. The right wants imported slave labor to keep unions and decent wages in check. Both parties and political ideologies are twisted. If you're a Democrat, you're knee deep in this. If you're a Republican, you're knee deep in this. Trump is despised for making the country choose a new path.

Anonymous said...

Just a blurb after a 2 second search. From CNN in August. Do you really think Trump is the ONLY POTUS to implement tarriffs?


The Biden administration said Friday that it has finalized tariff hikes on certain Chinese-made products that the president first announced in May.

The tariff rate will go up to 100% on electric vehicles, to 50% on solar cells and to 25% on electrical vehicle batteries, critical minerals, steel, aluminum, face masks and ship-to-shore cranes beginning September 27, according to the US Trade Representative’s Office.

Tariff hikes on other products, including semiconductor chips, are set to take effect over the next two years.

Trump implemented sweeping tariffs on about $300 billion of Chinese-made products when he was in office. President Joe Biden has kept those tariffs in place and, after the USTR finished a multiyear review earlier this year, decided to increase some of the rates on about $15 billion of Chinese imports.

The products that will now face increases are in line with Biden’s other economic policies aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing in industries including clean energy and semiconductor chips.

“Today’s finalized tariff increases will target the harmful policies and practices of the People’s Republic of China that continue to impact American workers and businesses,” US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a press release.

Anonymous said...

And makes people like you shine at disrespect.

Anonymous said...

American citizens voted for a massive change in the way things are being done in Washington. We’re getting that, and I am more than pleased. Many people here have no idea how wasteful and corrupt the previous administration has been. So much filth is being exposed now. Unfortunately, many of these same uninformed people will never hear about much of it. Our usual news outlets will hide a great deal of the damages done up to this point.

By the way, NOT a Republican, Not a Fox News watcher. Legacy media is NOT our friend. It’s been compromised.

Anonymous said...

Its not a threat at all... its a negotiating strategy to get a better deal by a smart businessman. Short term pain for long term success. Save your fire till we see the results.

BTW... Your first citing link goes to an opinion jorno piece from The Times of India? India is the largest immigrant supplier to Canada. 27% or 1 in 4 by 2022 numbers. I'm sure this jorno has no agenda or bias... eyeroll.

Anonymous said...

Bad mistake. Why, I'm already reading on social media that long lines at Costco yesterday were due to the tariffs! It's awful, I tell ya'!

Anonymous said...

Ah, there is no need for Ford or any other car company to increase prices any more than 1%, if that, on a 25% tariff assessed on any country.

Anonymous said...

His thinking is controlled by everything Trump!

Anonymous said...

You mean like MSNDC, CNN, and the entire media complex with the origins of Covid, the Russia Hoax, impeachments, Biden's cognitive decline, Hunter's laptop, and on and on. You're delusional!

Anonymous said...

Looser? Speaking of a pea brain!

Anonymous said...

agree 100%

Anonymous said...

Art of the Deal, Bernie. Sit back, watch and be amazed.

Anonymous said...

Bullying countries to comply, while threatening Americans with higher inflation is usually not a good economic policy, but what can we expect from a racist prick who speaks of Indian immigrants like some sort of commodity. Like it or not YOU are the global minority, even with your inflated American ego. Why are you so afraid to be a minority of this country, huh? Afraid to be treated like you treat other members of marginalized communities?

Anonymous said...

Just announced:
1 - US is delaying tariffs for 30 days while,
2 - Mexico is sending 10,000 troops to the US border.

Tariff warfare works, and costs far fewer lives than guns and rockets. It's directly on-brand for a guy who started no new wars in his first term. BushClintonBushObamaBiden always shot first and (maybe) demanded negotiation, later.

Anonymous said...

Ever heard of Vermont? Do you get out much or read anything? Canadian maple syrup IS Big Food, knucklehead.

Anonymous said...

CNN Headline: Trump agrees to 'immediately pause' tariffs on Mexico for one month

Story; After negotiations with President Trump administration Mexico President agrees to send 10K troops to US Border to fight drug trade and immigration crisis. Mexican tariffs paused. US reciprocates with one month pause on Mexican tariffs.

See the skewed reporting headline? That is what the American public is pissed off about. Tell us the truth.

Anonymous said...

Just announced. Mexico has folded and agreed not to put reciprocal tariffs on America. Further, Mexico agrees to now send 10,000 troops to the border to help prevent passage of Fentanyl.

Another win for Trump.

Anonymous said...

Well Mexico just agreed to put 10,000 troops on the border and Trump is delaying the tariffs for 30 days. Also Panama agreed it will not renew the Chinese Belt and Road initiative. May you live in interesting times.

Anonymous said...

Ironic that most of the people who will be hurt most by the orange menace’s antics are the flag-waving minions who worship at his altar.

Anonymous said...

Trump's tariffs on soybeans in his first administration cost American farmers $58 billion. So Trump had them reimbursed with tax money, primarily provided by the Blue states

Anonymous said...

Mexico caved. MAGA!

Anonymous said...

Sit back and do nothing like the Germans did with Hitler. Imbecile.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Mexico already caved. Your buffoonish post didn't age well. Even less than normal.

I know you haven't seen it for four years, but this is what it looks like when you actually have a president doing his job.

Anonymous said...

News just out, Tariffs on Mexico delayed for 30 days pending negotiations. Woke, out of office Trudeau may play hard ball and soon be run out of Canada. Remember, Panama is a choke point not only for shipping, but illegal migrants from South America, we don't know what Rubio was telling them.

Anonymous said...

suddently everywon is a economnist this blog is full of em so smrt all yous r

Anonymous said...

DRILL BABY DRILL FOX NEWS-----HONEST & RELIABLE

Anonymous said...

None of which had to pay billions in fines due to spreading misinformation. You are delusional and I hope the tariff increases bankrupt you and you find yourself homeless.

Anonymous said...

Canada also imports our oil, natural gas, electricity, and energy products. You dumbass!

Anonymous said...

Manufacturers have a supply chain in place for a reason, many components are not necessarily interchangeable with another source, even if one exists it probably would cost more domestic or not. You clearly have very limited knowledge and are just defending a wrecking ball president!

Anonymous said...

Simpletons

Anonymous said...

so smart that he thinks the tariffs aren't paid for by the consumer ... his understanding of trade, economics, & government are very limited, because not a dollar of the money he's ever earned have been through hard work or an understanding of the real world. why working people support a spoiled rich kid is beyond any semblance of logic. the results will be minuscule, but will convince you and satisfy his narcissistic ego

Anonymous said...

you're pleased because you're brainwashed ... he added 8 trillion to our debt the last time giving the rich a tax break, the amount of the federal budget that is discretionary is a small fraction... this is a joke! also, he can't cut the federal budget unilaterally ... we don't live in a dictatorship. by the way he won by 2.3 millions votes out of 152 million cast ... that's not a massive mandate to do anything radical. this will snap back hard

Anonymous said...

Mexico already backed down Canada will shortly China who gives a fuck about them communist bastards.

Anonymous said...

yeah Biden made them add fake maple flavor ... dumb comment. If you're in the hospital in need of life-saving care, you better reject all the stuff they want to give you because the FDA approved it!

Anonymous said...

No Bluff Bernie this is over dugs 75000 Americas died each year more than the Viet Nam war and you leftwing democrats will not fight this fight for the American peopl.

Anonymous said...

he huffs and puffs and backs down as soon as the reality hits him on his stupid head, and then tells his followers that he got x, y & z out of it which amounts to zero ... nothing but a flim-flam man

Anonymous said...

Bernie have some Faith The art of deal will show victory for Trump but more importantly America.

Anonymous said...

they're experts in everything that they're told ... no independent critical thinking

Anonymous said...

YOY inflation rate has nothing to do with the president or the party of the president .... look at the history of inflation rates ... it's all over the map & there's many factors involved that are in no way under a president's control.

Anonymous said...

10:03 -- you've never had a typo -- grow up.

9:56 -- if 25% of the cost of the components in a ford are from Mexico and/or Canada and those components are 25% more expensive, that will raise the cost to the consumer or force Ford to cut costs some other way, which likely impacts its workers or shareholders or someone else directly.

Anonymous said...

Being a good politician is a skill and an asset in a political position like the presidency. No one ever said .... I have a great doctor and he's great because he's not a doctor! FRIGGIN' IDIOTIC IS WHAT IT IS!

Anonymous said...

uhhh ... you better brush up on what republicans used to believe in, because what your attributing to Democrats used to be way closer to what Republicans once believed in... Trump has taken over the Republican Party and it is not salvageable.

Anonymous said...

Before 1919 we didn't have the immense technologically advanced military we have or social security or medicare or a national highway system, airplanes, etc etc. Tariffs are a tax ... in one way or another the government and all the things everyone assumes will be there will need to be paid for somehow.

If we don't like the way something is functioning we don't burn it down, we fix it! you should invite trump into your house and let him dictate to you, not everyone elected him to do this, in fact he only won by 1.5%, which means he should be moderate in his approach.

Anonymous said...

Tariffs by other presidents weren't blanket .. they were targeted in a way to not harm the consumer and/or protect domestic manufacturing.

Anonymous said...

Not nearly as simplistic as you imply. All headlights aren't the same. Car parts are manufactured from a company's specs. You can't just switch suppliers mid-production. It can take months to re-tool for changes in parts design.

Anonymous said...

"President Trump signed an executive order from the Oval Office directing the Treasury and Commerce Departments to create a “sovereign wealth fund,” which he said could potentially purchase the social media app, TikTok."

Is this a joke? "Sovereign wealth"? Which Sovereign did he have in mind?

Anonymous said...

Bad idea? Get off social media, and do some research. We just suffered through the worst inflation since Jimmy Carter, you idiot!

Bernie O'Hare said...

This is precisely what I meant when I said Trump was bluffing. No rational person is going to cut off his nose to spite his face. By the way, your MAGA hat is made in China.

Anonymous said...

I voted for Trump reluctantly. Democrats gave us a president with cognitive issues. Then they forced him to choose a vice president based on skin color and gender. She turned out to be a dolt. Couldn’t even answer simple questions. Look no further than democrats for Trumps ascension back into the White House. Now there is a lot of crying lol. This is what he does, kinetic chaos. It’s constant and exhausting. Shut off the news. Go for a walk and relax.

Anonymous said...

Mexico didn’t “cave”, Trump realized what the tariffs were doing to the stock market and he was forced to cut a deal. We need Mexico waaay more than they need us, so don’t fall for American propaganda. Perhaps if the demand for illegal fentanyl wasn’t so high in America, The cartesl would go elsewhere. But thanks to all the American dope addicts, we have a “drug” problem.

Anonymous said...

1:50 Do your research- The FDA is bought and paid for by big Pharma & the food industry. Red#3 was banned in cosmetics 30 years ago, but was allowed in our food!

Anonymous said...

All you crazed Trump haters, please take a deep breath and see a shrink! Tariffs were paused for 30 days, while negotiations will continue and Mexico is sending 10K troops to the border.

Anonymous said...

Trump has done more in 2 weeks, than sleepy Joe did in 4 years!

Anonymous said...

Bernie the latest on the Trump's Bluff Canada now gave in as we knew they would China calling tomorrow They are next And you would not vote for the greatest leader of all time.

Anonymous said...

Another victory for Trump Those countries are dropping like pinballs.

Anonymous said...

2:38 You might want to check Costco out. They sell great supplements and it appears you're suffering from an irony deficiency.

Anonymous said...

Gee, now Canada has joined in the fight to protect or border! We have the upper hand when it comes to tariffs.

Anonymous said...

Conservatives, or may I say, the rebranded confederacy, will jump over hoops to convince you that Trump is “negotiated” will both Canada and Mexico to put the tariffs on hold but what you don’t know is that Trumps the one that caved after the country called his bluff, and implemented their own tariffs, that forced his precious stock market to plummet. What a frickin joke of a man, it’s all smoke and mirrors while he has his South African princess take over the American treasury department. We are being infiltrated by the enemy, and you all are just gobbling up the propaganda, and repeating Fox News talking points to justify it. You are all being played, and you’re being willful participants to the fall of the United States.

Anonymous said...

he bullied them and got something that doesn't solve anything

Anonymous said...

Bernie you called Trump chaos the other day Once again you were wrong Now what is chaos it is DNC meeting this past weekend I could not make up how bad they are now that is chaos.

Anonymous said...

caved and what did we actually get? 10,000 of there troops on the border oooohhh , I thought his wall was going to fix the problem ... notice how he's always got you distracted with BS?

Anonymous said...

maybe if our people weren't hooked on legal opiates there wouldn't be a problem with heroin & fentanyl n the first place? Drugs will always find a way across our borders. What did trump do the first time around to solve that problem .. nothing!

Anonymous said...

More and more people are coming over to Trump's side he is more popular than ever How about you Bernie--When will see how wrong you are?

Anonymous said...

James Carville said running Kamala Harris was like starting your 7th string Quarterback in the Super Bowl. He said maybe they should have nominated someone who can string two sentences together then we wouldn’t have Trump LOL.

Anonymous said...

Trump creates these 'problems' and then 'solves' them to make himself look good.

Anonymous said...

Agree with 1:53

Anonymous said...

Wow. Such a nice person lol. You sound like a high school girl.

Anonymous said...

That's just a terrible sick thing g to say to anyone. Just not right

Anonymous said...

X ^ | 2/3/2025 | justin trudeau
I just had a good call with President Trump. Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan — reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border. In addition, Canada is making new commitments to appoint a Fentanyl Czar, we will list cartels as terrorists, ensure 24/7 eyes on the border, launch a Canada- U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering.

https://x.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1886529228193022429

Yeah Trump really sucks... lol
And what did Biden do while literally 200 US citizens died each and every day from this madness? Virtual nothing but run his mouth. Wake up people... we deserve better!

Anonymous said...

https://x.com/libsoftiktok/status/1886477436054802499

Anonymous said...

Relax snowflake

Anonymous said...

This is nothing-wait until Elon is done at DOGE! No more $50M for condoms in Gaza!

Anonymous said...

Whenever the U.S. gets so screwed up, it fixes itself! Go Trump!

Anonymous said...

There is a God! All you have to do is watch the DNC meeting over the weekend-it says it all. They're in such disarray, it's embarrassing! After the last 4 years, we finally have a President!

Anonymous said...

Obama’s fundamental change is getting blown to pieces! The Obama era is finally over. 12 long years with 4 years of Trump thrown in. This time he’s blowing it up.

Anonymous said...

Yeah...biden negotiated the 15000 troops from Mexico...and trump claims a win with 10000...that Mexican president played him like a cheap fiddle
Lol

Anonymous said...

Mexico played him...they were already sending 15000 troops...nice try

Anonymous said...

Attention Foxnews watchers
Mexico snookered the trump administration
As well as Canada

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nj.com/politics/2025/02/how-trump-was-outfoxed-by-mexicos-president-over-tariffs.html%3foutputType=amp

Anonymous said...

Rupert freaking Murdoch

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/donald-trump-tariffs-25-percent-mexico-canada-trade-economy-84476fb2

Anonymous said...

Trump failed to make a mention of this

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mexican-president-reveals-u-s-concession-trump-failed-to-mention-as-tariffs-paused/ar-AA1ylbW7?cvid=0b0292f1628f4d9385fad2eef1a103b2&ocid=hpmsn

Anonymous said...

This story is titled
President Dumbass

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17CyYnKYCM/

Anonymous said...

Thank you for repeating all the information we already know

Anonymous said...

I don’t understand how people can’t see that Elon is eliminating programs that actually help American civilians, to reallocate those funds to his science rockets projects that don’t help anyone. Do you think you’ll ever see those savings in your everyday life? Can you be that ignorant?

Anonymous said...

Very true. Mexico and Canada didn’t offer anything they aren’t already doing.

Anonymous said...

You lost me at google. Its funny you democrats still use these outlets as a fact check. We laugh at you when you do this. Google fell for a pee pee tape.

Bernie O'Hare said...

7:59, Now we are not supposed to use search engines that might lead us to the truth and will definitely expose us to different points of view? What an incredibly moronic statement.

Anonymous said...

How does funding trans surgeries in Guatemala help American civilians?

Anonymous said...

So true! It might be a while before the left sees that we now have a President that wakes up and works for the American people each day. What a breath of fresh air from sleepy joe's last 4 years.

Anonymous said...

You understand that the article is on NJ.com not Google, and Google was just used as the search engine to find it, right?

Anonymous said...

Attention world leaders
How to come out of trump's tariffs unscathed
Let him declare victory on tv
You're welcome

Anonymous said...

Lol. Biden didn't know what day it was. He negotiated nothing.

Anonymous said...

Vlad, don't worry. We'll let you keep the poster of your fat tired orange loud mouth comb-over draft-dodger schister up on the ceiling over your bed. It'll be our little secret. Shhh...

Anonymous said...

And just like healthcare and Mexico building the wall...we never heard about tariffs against
wall-street-journal-trump-tariffs_n_67a26517e4b0c907cf345e8d

Anonymous said...

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/how-trump-s-turning-his-back-on-america-s-real-problems-opinion/ar-AA1yqO66?cvid=e96b40ea955742c6de54ee311eea1b5a&ocid=hpmsn

Anonymous said...

you lost me at MSN.com

Anonymous said...

@7:59 - Lost you at Google?!?! The level of dimwittery in this country is incredible. Probably a big proponent of "Do my own research" too.