Trump's tariff wars...long post.

[zbd1960]

5 hours ago, Al Krow said:

 

NHS will be safe,  as confirmed by our Health Secretary this morning. Frankly no political party can risk damaging it and hope to survive.

 

Food: the chlorinated chicken issue, right? As long as it's properly labelled shouldn't it be up to us, as adults, to decide whether we want cheaper US chicken or continue to pay more the non-chlorinated variety? Given that the US is the most litigious nation on earth if there was a whiff of harm arising from their food, there would have been plenty of claimants! And no one seems to worry to much about "adulterated" US food when they go on hols to the US?

US poultry is not raised in the same standard of conditions as the UK and EU (and elsewhere). Battery/cage farming is standard and the chlorination is done to nuke bugs. It's also why eggs have to be chilled in US as the washing process removes the protective outer layers of the shell. 

[Obrienp]

28 minutes ago, tegs07 said:

The saddest part about the current geopolitical situation is the biggest challenge that the world faces is climate change and its impact on migration. Instead of spending billions of dollars trying to combat these issues the money is being spent on defence and coming out of aid budgets.

 

Whilst I think that upping defence spending is a long overdue (and a hasty, ill prepared scramble) the long term consequences will have to be addressed at some point. To depressing too contemplate in any depth.

A great point, well made. The world seems to have gone into reverse on saving the planet. It is almost as if they have decided to precipitate total climate catastrophe as quickly as possible. BP are the latest to cave in to shareholder pressure. Perhaps they want to have another pop at polluting the Gulf of America to celebrate its new name! Meanwhile many automakers are backing out of plans to go electric by 2035.

 

The wars in Ukraine and Gaza are an environmental catastrophe that has yet to be calculated. I would not be surprised if the costs of repairing the damage, exceed the cost of creating by an order of magnitude.

[Beedster]

1 hour ago, tegs07 said:

The saddest part about the current geopolitical situation is the biggest challenge that the world faces is climate change and its impact on migration. Instead of spending billions of dollars trying to combat these issues the money is being spent on defence and coming out of aid budgets.

 

Whilst I think that upping defence spending is a long overdue (and a hasty, ill prepared scramble) the long term consequences will have to be addressed at some point. To depressing too contemplate in any depth.

 

Agreed, but potentially not depressing. A big part of this is about a reset. For a long time the developed World has lived a certain way with a certain set of expectations. We have a simple choice, reset our expectations and learn to live differently - in essence with less material possessions, less convenience, and less instant gratification - or face the consequences. The only upside of the current mess I can see is that it is already forcing some people to think about a reset. Many years ago when I was quite a decent scientist I was asked at a conference what I felt was the best solution to the public health crisis (obesity, diabetes, etc), and I replied that it would take an even more serious crisis such as a massive economic downturn not seen since the great depression of the late 1920s, a war, or a massive change in the social order to do it. The whole bloody room looked at me as if to say "Is that all you've got", but I stand by it. We're facing a crisis that might just end well. 

 

Well someone had to bring a note of optimism 

Edited Friday at 18:01 by Beedster

[Dad3353]

[Count Bassy]

5 hours ago, Beedster said:

 

I suspect they're going to be in with the Trump/Musk/Petersen gang pretty soon

After all, Trump is the president who said "Grab them by the Pussy"

[Count Bassy]

Re the B word etc, I don't believe that it will have an on going affect on European security. WIth what is happening we (Europe & UK) will have no choice but to collaborate.

 

Also, re aid cuts to fund increased defence spending, Russia and Trump's new direction is the biggest imminent threat to the world. If we don't sort this out first there is little point worrying about anything else, including climate etc.

 

The money has to come from somewhere, so cuts somewhere, or increased taxes (or get big companies to pay the taxes they should be!)? I'm sure that everyone has their own ideas on this.

 

Supposedly the UK is still sending £8m a year to China - a country with its own space program FFS! If we're going to give foreign aid than let's at least give it to someone who needs it!

[Buddster]

Wow, did Zelensky just do political suicide, or did he get trump to reveal his true colours of how he negotiates?  Vance was terrible too. 

[Beedster]

Just now, Buddster said:

Wow, did Zelensky just do political suicide, or did he get trump to reveal his true colours of how he negotiates?  Vance was terrible too. 

Zelensky has been fighting a real and brutal war for three years. He not only sees Trump for what he is but is one of the few politicians in the World - possibly the only one - who has the minerals to say it out loud to his face.

[Beedster]

Wow, Zelensky asked by a journalist why he's not wearing a suit to meet The Donald. US media as ever with their finger on the pulse.... 

[Agent 00Soul]

14 minutes ago, Buddster said:

Wow, did Zelensky just do political suicide, or did he get trump to reveal his true colours of how he negotiates?  Vance was terrible too. 

 

I guess the war will continue then?  Just with no more American money or weapons.  Europe is rich enough to pick up the slack with the money.  Not sure about the weapons.

[Russ]

3 minutes ago, Agent 00Soul said:

 

I guess the war will continue then?  Just with no more American money or weapons.  Europe is rich enough to pick up the slack with the money.  Not sure about the weapons.

He could sell access to Ukraine's minerals to the EU. Or China. Have a bidding war that the US would not be a part of.

 

That pays for a lot of weaponry, and it'd really, really piss Tr**p off. He deserves it after today's embarrassing escalating $hitshow. 

[prowla]

26 minutes ago, Buddster said:

Wow, did Zelensky just do political suicide, or did he get trump to reveal his true colours of how he negotiates?  Vance was terrible too. 

That Vance bloke is a nasty piece of work - made things personal and then Trump joined in.

[Russ]

5 minutes ago, prowla said:

That Vance bloke is a nasty piece of work - made things personal and then Trump joined in.

They're playground bullies who now relish that they get to bully people on the world stage. All that was missing was a wedgie, a bogwash and some "your mum" jokes. 

 

There's a European security summit in London this weekend that almost all European leaders, including Starmer and Zelenskyy, will be attending. I'm expecting some interesting developments. 

Edited Friday at 18:53 by Russ

[Beedster]

4 minutes ago, Russ said:

They're playground bullies who now relish that they get to bully people on the world stage. All that was missing was a wedgie, a bogwash and some "your mum" jokes. 

 

There's a European security summit in London this weekend that almost all European leaders, including Starmer and Zelenskyy, will be attending. I'm expecting some interesting developments. 

 

The Orange One might just have experienced his first setback, I wonder what Putin's thinking? I understand Zelensky's first post-Agent Orange meeting is with Starmer, let's pray that Starmer sees this for what it is, a test of his minerals 

[Beedster]

7 minutes ago, Russ said:

They're playground bullies who now relish that they get to bully people on the world stage. All that was missing was a wedgie, a bogwash and some "your mum" jokes. 

 

This photo came immediately to mind 

 

[Russ]

1 minute ago, Beedster said:

 

The Orange One might just have experienced his first setback, I wonder what Putin's thinking? I understand Zelensky's first post-Agent Orange meeting is with Starmer, let's pray that Starmer sees this for what it is, a test of his minerals 

Starmer should threaten to revoke the invitation for the state visit. And if there's even one more mention of the whole Canada "51st State" thing, he should be reminded that the King would take a dim view of anyone who might attempt to invade one of his dominions. 

 

The thing is, Tr**p would probably lay off - he loves the pomp and circumstance stuff. He considers himself royalty and wants to be accepted as such. 

[Beedster]

6 minutes ago, Russ said:

Starmer should threaten to revoke the invitation for the state visit. And if there's even one more mention of the whole Canada "51st State" thing, he should be reminded that the King would take a dim view of anyone who might attempt to invade one of his dominions. 

 

The thing is, Tr**p would probably lay off - he loves the pomp and circumstance stuff. He considers himself royalty and wants to be accepted as such. 

 

You might be right, but would Starmer have the guts, this is a test that I hope he passes

[Russ]

20 minutes ago, Beedster said:

 

You might be right, but would Starmer have the guts, this is a test that I hope he passes

I had hoped he'd go full "David from Love Actually" at yesterday's meeting, but the diplomatic, flattering approach seemed to reap rewards.

 

But, after what happened today, I fully expect a rebuke from Starmer. Almost every other European leader has come out in support of Zelenskyy over the past hour or two. 

 

 

[Count Bassy]

Full marks to Zelensky. It was clear who was the adult in the room. I don't want the war to continue, but what Trump was offerring was complete capitulation to Russia. I wouldn't be suprised if he has a deal with Russia for the minerals already lined up.

Trump and Vance a a pair of Cnuts.

 

I see that John Bolton, a republican, has said that this is a disater for the US.

[SICbass]

How Zelensky was able to sit there, maintaining his composure while clearly just gagging to snot the orange c**t is quite beyond me. What a gargantuan feat of self restraint.

 

Chapeau sir, chapeau.

[Beedster]

4 minutes ago, SICbass said:

Chapeau sir, chapeau.

 

This, 100%. Let's hope his meeting with EU tomorrow is a) more respectful and b) more productive. I genuinely suspect Trump already realises he f***ed up, the problem with surrounding yourself with yes people is that you lose the ability to deal with no people. 

[tegs07]

well that was embarrassing.

who needs diplomacy when you can just have a tantrum in front of the worlds media. kisinger eat your heart out.

[Russ]

9 minutes ago, SICbass said:

How Zelensky was able to sit there, maintaining his composure while clearly just gagging to snot the orange c**t is quite beyond me. What a gargantuan feat of self restraint.

 

Chapeau sir, chapeau.

Zelenskyy has just been dealing with three years of absolute horror. A few hours of having to deal with Shitler and his couch-f**king yappy dog is nothing in comparison. He's leaving the US with the high ground. 

[tauzero]

1 hour ago, Agent 00Soul said:

 

I guess the war will continue then?  Just with no more American money or weapons.  Europe is rich enough to pick up the slack with the money.  Not sure about the weapons.

 

The crucial thing that Ukraine might lose is access to Starlink. Just have to wait and see what Elonia decides to do, and if he cuts off access, how much of a boycott of anything belonging to him will happen.

[tauzero]

1 hour ago, Russ said:

Starmer should threaten to revoke the invitation for the state visit. And if there's even one more mention of the whole Canada "51st State" thing, he should be reminded that the King would take a dim view of anyone who might attempt to invade one of his dominions. 

 

The thing is, Tr**p would probably lay off - he loves the pomp and circumstance stuff. He considers himself royalty and wants to be accepted as such. 

 

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/withdraw-the-state-visit-invitation-for-donald-trump