Tariffs are hitting home now

In reply to Opti :

My take isn't remotely out of line. Honestly,  a man who can't read at a 4th grade level  being in charge is scary enough.  To give him this kind of power and then try to support it is insane.  His professors at Wharton have never said anything good about him

 History is clear on this issue. Now, as for Reagan,  I blame his policies for the destruction of the middle class. But that's a completely different topic. I trust the judgment of the majority of top economists, almost all of whom are calling for gloom and doom.

The reality is, however,  the world will turn it's back on us, as they should.  We may be a big market,  but the pain and craziness just isn't worth it, especially when there are all these niche areas that are becoming tariff exempt. 

Too much craziness for an issue that wasn't high on the global radar. 

Worst is what it's doing to family farms. Most won't survive a year the way it is now.

Friendly reminder to keep this from getting personal or political.

Thanks. 

Unfortunately, this tariff issue IS political, as in one political party (mostly in the form of one particular person) has instigated this tariff war. I don't know how you talk about tariffs without talking about how we got them. I understand this is mostly a car forum and I love the diversity and depth of thought of ideas and opinions expressed here. Ok, I'll shut up now...

In reply to David S. Wallens :

How do we react to a political decision (that effects our wallet) without being political?  I have enjoyed reading this chain but think it should be closed.  No good will come from it, only venting and annoying the opposite opinion.  Time will be the only way to determine if it was a good decision, but for now it is and will continue to cost us.

In reply to porschenut :

I disagree. 
 

This is a group of mostly intelligent well spoken people who are capable of discussing divisive issues without total meltdowns.  We are also good at self policing and correcting when things get a little too heated.
 

I miss the days before political discussion was banned on this site. I valued the intelligent interaction, and learned greatly from it. 

I respect that it is no longer allowed.  But  I don't believe that the only possible outcome of intelligent conversation on controversial subjects is total meltdowns.

Marjorie Suddard said:

Starting today, our printer costs are going up 1.95% due to EU tariffs already in effect, or $8k+ per year for this small business . This is mostly for ink, which is not produced here, and before the big ticket items, like paper, fall subject to tariffs. I have a lot of feelings, most of them volatile like the pricing situation. 

Margie

 

It seems entirely odd to me that some things are made in the EU but not the US.

It reminds me of a kind of "awakening" I had way back in 2009.  Dad and I stopped on a Sunday afternoon to check out the tractors on our local ag dealer's lot.  I sauntered up to a gigantic 4x4 Massey Ferguson that was around the same size as Jeremy's Lambo on Clarkson's Farm if you're familiar.  The smell of fresh rubber was palpable as I peered at the sheet taped behind the glass calling out its features and the suburban McMansion price.  But the three words that stuck with me indelibly were printed at the bottom:  Made in France.

How could a country with strict labor laws, unions, strict environmental laws, free health care, etc, etc...how could they build this machine, ship it across the Atlantic, and ostensibly turn a profit?  Something was badly broken.  

I have appreciated reading this thread. I've learned a few things, and as tariffs impact me and all of us, I'd like to keep learning and hope it doesn't get locked. I'm happy it's gone this far without being locked.

I have little to no enemy images in my mind of either side. 

In reply to Marjorie Suddard :

Remember when Mexico paid us to build the border wall?  Yeah, me neither...