- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
- cross-posted to:
- news@lemmy.world
Summary
Trump’s new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China sparked backlash from business groups, economists, and some Republicans, who warn of rising prices and economic disruption.
The tariffs—25% on Canadian and Mexican imports and 10% on Chinese goods—prompted retaliatory measures from Canada and Mexico.
Critics, including the US Chamber of Commerce, call them a tax on American consumers. Economists estimate a $200 billion hit to the US economy, with inflation rising.
Trump defended the move, even suggesting Canada should become the US’s “51st state.”
It’s because Trump is so out of pocket on any given day that he has interpreters.
When he says “maybe if we put the sunlight inside the body it could kill the virus, we should look into that” they explained it as “well actually there was an idea of using uv light to clean the blood, so it’s not as crazy as it sounds
even though there’s no substance to it medically”. And there’s not just one interpreter, there’s different messages for different audiencesSo when he said “were going to put tarrifs on our largest trading partners” the message to people who understood tarrifs was “this is an intimation tactic to get better trade deals, he’s not going to actually do it”
Still, it was said as it was said. And whatever he said has to be taken as the least worse interpretation - it usually ended up worse in his first presidency.
There is no excuse.
On a personal level, I have trouble maintaining any respect for people who voted for him… But that’s one thing
We still have to understand. We have to understand the why and the how, otherwise we’re basically giving up - these people believe someone who’s every accusation is an admission, so obviously that I can’t even appreciate the absurdity anymore
It helps me to remind myself that propaganda works, that if you hear something enough you internalize it - we all do to differing extents, and most people are unable to examine their own beliefs. It helps me to imagine how they’ll feel when they finally look at things clearly. It helps me to think this isn’t all for nothing, that the sheer amount of suck coming our way will galvanize us all to fight for meaningful change
You don’t have to forgive, but you’ve got to understand why, and use that