prowla

So, you’re saying that Trump has put the kybosh on the US aero industry? Oops!

Well, presumably the people working there are voters and had their say in the election. But yes: macro-economics has impacts at the micro level.

Thanks for the info re. Cadbury's - I thought it was Hersheys. However, the products have gone downhill (and the tins/tubs have shrunk), so I haven't had any for a while.

As an aside, I watched Mortimer & Whitehouse; they were discussing some random topic and Bob Mortimer came up with the comment "water isn't sentient".

Well, I have a number of US-made items and I'm not going to offload them. And I'm not going to cut off my nose to spite my face (eg. I shop at CostCo because I got fed up of the main supermarkets shrinkflation and I'm not going to reverse that). However, I will tend to steer away from buying US items (manufacturer or parent company) for the forseeable.

You mean not in English!

You're right that it is a tax on consumers, but it is one which impacts trade. The gist of it is that Trump wants to make the US (steel) companies more viable, so increasing the cost of their competitors products by 25% might do that. If the US producers can bring their product in at less than that actual+25% then they may get the business. Then, over time, the companies may be sufficiently active as to reduce their costs and so become genuinely competitive. The background though is that China was dumping steel onto the global market at below cost, so even being able to meet that +25% cost might be tricky. The reason for retaliation is simply if a country is blocking sales of your products into their markets but you aren't reciprocating, then you're accepting an impact on your exports whilst welcoming their imports. For example, the UK sells a lot of luxury cars into the US and they've suddenly got 25% more expensive; therefore sales will go down. Meanwhile, the US sells Teslas into the UK but their price stays the same, so no impact on sales (bar by personal choice). Result = a negative impact on the balance of trade. Now, if the UK imposes a 25% tariff on the US cars, then they suddenly jump by 25% and so people at home are more likely to buy the UK-made ones. Net result is tariffs are a form of protectionism which can boost home trade.

Yep - Trump can turn on a dime. (Though presumably not in his new Tesla!)

Trump's steel and aluminium 25% tariffs impacts approx £350m of UK trade. https://news.sky.com/story/trump-trade-war-expands-globally-as-25-tariffs-take-effect-13326268 I think the new special operation is at odds with the special relationship.

Googling "Starfire by EKS" suggests that EKS is a guitar company based in Nagoya, Japan. https://www.guitar-list.com/brands/eks-technology However, I see instruments MIJ and MIC, so it's entirely possible they offshored production. Prices seem to be <£100 (eg. https://richtonemusic.co.uk/eks-starfire-performer-j-style-bass-black-2nd-hand/?srsltid=AfmBOopeMAmOgr7sfGvDeYgYiXp4nJvRh2jH9eNtrvzpY05OgnP2AvtA).

So, the EU has entered the Tariff Wars. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cx2gprz84rlt

It says (C) Nagoya, as opposed to made in Nagoya.

Further news on Trump's special operation trade wars, he is announcing the tariff on Canadian steel & aluminium will be increased to 50%: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cly412xwz44t

It's just I've never wanted an Ibanez. Nor a Sire (or any other Fender-a-like).

Aren't all currencies based on speculation & "promise" anyway? Governments just don't like crypto because they can't control them. (I've no crypto at the moment, though.)

Presumably then there have been a lot of lefty lunatics previously buying or intending to buy Teslas.

Keep the cases in case...

(It was slightly tongue-in-cheek.)

They'll be able to ride it out by going back to live with their parents.

Canada have said they'll turn off the supply of oil to the US.

But you have to enjoy it too, or it's just a job.

Trump's American guitar is made from Chinese parts.

I have to say I have been wondering about the lettuce. The point about the US's standing in the world and the dollar is something I've been considering: if the US goes isolationist and stops trading, then the international money will go elsewhere. OTOH, I don't see how the US can be trade/financial isolationist and still consider itself to be the Worlds police force.

Copycat!

My answer is neither - you can get a used Ric for £1500.