Election Year or Fear!

[SithHappens]

We should just make Trump keep Farage as a retaliatory action.

[SithHappens]

Is this Trumps Liz Truss moment?

[Geoff Parkstone]

South Korea had free trade agreement with USA. Experts Korea to USA $131bn, USA to Kores $65bn. Trade disparity likely to cause reconsideration of relationship by USA.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Exports*

[MadAmster]

So, Europe exports 256 USD per annum more to the US than the US exports to Europe. Trump has worked out that the difference is caused by tariffs. It's not. It's mainly because we make better stuff that US consumers want. The difference in value is the 39% Fartface mentioned. He also sees VAT as a tariff. It's not. It's simply Sales Tax. The US doesn't have a nationwide sales tax, the individual states do so he ignores it.

He's a simpleton. Or is that comment degrading to simpletons?

His own mother once said she hoped he never went into politics as it would be a disaster. Mam knew.

His niece, a clinical psychologist, has been scathing of his mentality and personality.

The man's a disaster looking for somewhere to happen.

[MadAmster]

The hyper rich will prevail? The Czar thought so back in 1917. So did Louis XVI in 1789.

We are many. They are few. It's high time we reminded them of that.

Folk are starting to boycott US goods. That's good.

We should start boycotting newspapers to remind their billionaire owners that they need us.

We should all withdraw at least ?20 a week in cash from our bank accounts and spend it. That would be a good step towards ensuring cash remains a "thing" as, if we lose it, the banks and the government will know yet more about us and our spending and earnings. It would enable them to do things like taking VAT from 2nd hand things you sell. No more piggy banks for the fiver you give your niece/nephew at Christmas and birthdays. No more car boot sales. etc etc etc

Beggars would become a thing of the past as no cash would mean you've got nowt they want because, as we all know, offer to buy them a coffee or a burger and they're (most anyway) not interested. That's the one benefit I can think of for doing away with cash.

[Andy_Faber]

The hyper rich will prevail? The Czar thought so back in 1917. So did Louis XVI in 1789.

We are many. They are few. It's high time we reminded them of that.

Folk are starting to boycott US goods. That's good.

We should start boycotting newspapers to remind their billionaire owners that they need us.

We should all withdraw at least ?20 a week in cash from our bank accounts and spend it. That would be a good step towards ensuring cash remains a "thing" as, if we lose it, the banks and the government will know yet more about us and our spending and earnings. It would enable them to do things like taking VAT from 2nd hand things you sell. No more piggy banks for the fiver you give your niece/nephew at Christmas and birthdays. No more car boot sales. etc etc etc

Beggars would become a thing of the past as no cash would mean you've got nowt they want because, as we all know, offer to buy them a coffee or a burger and they're (most anyway) not interested. That's the one benefit I can think of for doing away with cash.

The difference between now and 1789 is that, in the developed world, even the poor aren't poor, that's why our countries are so attractive to those from the 'undeveloped world'. Yes there are hardships, but there aren't millions (again in the developed world) ****ting in buckets and throwing it into the street like 250 years ago. And the hyper rich are few, but the rich (therefore they'll side with the hyper rich) and the 'fat and happy' (who just want their easy life to tick along) are many so I don't think the melting pot has enough in it to cause revolution (in any direction)

Please make a list of US goods people are boycotting. I'm aware Canadians are boycotting USA as a holiday destination, the Americans I've spoken to are rather relieved, it eases the pressure on them! Not making a point, just interested

As for newspapers, does anyone still buy them apart from for the sports pages? I don't know anyone who buys one - I get a freeby with our groceries once in a while, that's about it. Tell a lie, the bloke next door buys one when he thinks he'll have one of his letters published! Ironically I'm helping a journalist to write a feature (for the Guardian!) at the mo (about music) and you came to mind wrt your interest in Northern Soul record collecting

The cash thing is simple convenience over tradition, although I am old school enough to still be using cash a lot and I think losing car boot sales with their illegally imported goods and stolen power tools would be a good thing.

[Geoff Parkstone]

Cash is also useful to ward off street chuggers who in my experience reject cash and demand card details. Take it or leave it usually sends them scuttling for cover

[MadAmster]

Over here, Tesla is tanking. Kellys Expat shops, who sell US and UK staple foods, are struggling to sell their American wares and are saying they will struggle even more if they have to put prices up. Thank God UK items are still selling, they say. I spent 110 in their Wassenaar store last week. Pies, sausages, Branston pickle, a dozen beers from Marston's to Greene King to Theakstones... cheddar, red lestah. Left the Cadbury fruit and nut as they are now part of the Mendelez group... Yanks. All the US owned multinationals are seeing sales decrease in store from Lays chips to Kelloggs, Quaker, Bud, Heinz. No huge amounts as yet but I suspect it will grow if Fartface doesn't reconsider.

[MadAmster]

It seems that Trump has put tariffs on 2 African islands whose only inhabitants are penguins. The man's a comic genius.