President Trump: Making America Great Again...

[Eddie]

I caught most of Trump's speech in response to the mass shootings over the weekend this morning. Probably the most presidential I've ever heard him - very un-Trump-like.

I liked that he had some strong words (for him) coming down on racism.

I liked that he said something needs to be done. We'll see what this translates into - I suspect that the details will get caught up on congress as far as passing any meaningful laws. And, quite frankly, I have my doubts about the effectiveness on some of the gun control measures as far as eliminating mass shootings anyway. But I'm open to hearing all ideas. (and I liked that he said he was open to hearing ideas as well.)

Honestly - I think it would probably be a bit overly optimistic to believe that his words and actions will remain consistent with what was said today. But it seems to me, at least, that he got this right. Saying that - while I haven't read any of the responses to his speech, I'm sure there are things that people will take issue with. For instance - he sure invoked the name of God a lot, which is bound to piss some people off.

[Commando]

Damage control. He'll be back talking about the 'invasion' in no time.

[SCcoug]

He does this a few times every year. He semi-competently reads a prepared speech off a teleprompter. Right wingers and centrists say that was a pretty good speech considering the source. Then within the next 48 hours in either off the cuff media spots or a tweet he'll contradict and crap all over whatever he read in the speech.

[falafel]

He does this a few times every year. He semi-competently reads a prepared speech off a teleprompter. Right wingers and centrists say that was a pretty good speech considering the source. Then within the next 48 hours in either off the cuff media spots or a tweet he'll contradict and crap all over whatever he read in the speech.

Yep. As soon as I heard bits of it on the radio, I knew (1) that it was a prepared speech (he talks much slower and his tone is very neutral) and (2) in the next 24 hours he will be back making dumb comments that will undermine any positives from the speech.

[Eddie]

Like I said - pretty good speech. It would be optimistic to believe we'll hear more of the same from him. I fully expect him to say more dumb stuff.

[wapiti]

Maybe the trade war deserves its own thread? Trump has put heavy tariffs on Chinese goods. The latest round announced Friday puts a minimum of 10% tariff on everything imported from China. I work for a company that imports about 80% of its products from China. It's been painful in many ways beyond even increasing the cost of goods. Deciding whether to eat the costs, pass them on to customers, push back on suppliers, look for sources outside of China etc. It's been incredibly time consuming and a major distraction. Anyway, the news of China's currency devaluation was met with cheers around the office. The dollar can now buy more Chinese goods and it offsets the tariff costs.

How does the devaluation of the Yuan hurt the US? Most analysts I follow are saying this latest escalation spells big trouble for the US economy.

[myboynoah]

Maybe the trade war deserves its own thread? Trump has put heavy tariffs on Chinese goods. The latest round announced Friday puts a minimum of 10% tariff on everything imported from China. I work for a company that imports about 80% of its products from China. It's been painful in many ways beyond even increasing the cost of goods. Deciding whether to eat the costs, pass them on to customers, push back on suppliers, look for sources outside of China etc. It's been incredibly time consuming and a major distraction. Anyway, the news of China's currency devaluation was met with cheers around the office. The dollar can now buy more Chinese goods and it offsets the tariff costs.

How does the devaluation of the Yuan hurt the US? Most analysts I follow are saying this latest escalation spells big trouble for the US economy.

It undermines the principles of a free and fair market.

[Moliere]

How does the devaluation of the Yuan hurt the US? Most analysts I follow are saying this latest escalation spells big trouble for the US economy.

Im no economist, but in short it neutralizes the tariffs by making Chinese exports cheaper. It basically keeps China competitive. I don’t think it’s a long term solution for them but they are probably getting they can wait out the US. My bet is they wil try to make it to next November where they can negotiate with a Dem nominee.

I don’t like the trade war, but it is interesting to see a president stand up to China. Mitt had really been the only major presidential candidate that dared call out China.

[BlueK]

Im no economist, but in short it neutralizes the tariffs by making Chinese exports cheaper. It basically keeps China competitive. I don’t think it’s a long term solution for them but they are probably getting they can wait out the US. My bet is they wil try to make it to next November where they can negotiate with a Dem nominee.

I don’t like the trade war, but it is interesting to see a president stand up to China. Mitt had really been the only major presidential candidate that dared call out China.

In general China is probably not ever going to fully play by the rules because it's a corrupt totalitarian regime that is trying to reap some of the benefits of free markets without actually being free. We should exert pressure on them, but no one other than Trump and a few others believe that across the board tariffs are the best way to do it. We shouldn't have pulled out of TPP. They want the benefits of that agreement, and we'd have more leverage working together with all those other nations. But "globalism" is of course evil and Trump never met a free trade agreement he liked that involved more than two countries or that he didn't think he came up with himself.

[frank ryan]

There are different ways of standing up to China. Initiating an unnecessary trade is not helpful. Trump is a simpleton and has thrown tariffs at Canada, Mexico, the EU, India etc.
That’s all he knows to do.

[SCcoug]

There are different ways of standing up to China. Initiating an unnecessary trade is not helpful. Trump is a simpleton and has thrown tariffs at Canada, Mexico, the EU, India etc.
That’s all he knows to do.

It's one of the few things he's been consistent on for the past 30+ years.

[Moliere]

There are different ways of standing up to China. Initiating an unnecessary trade is not helpful. Trump is a simpleton and has thrown tariffs at Canada, Mexico, the EU, India etc.
That’s all he knows to do.

To be fair, it’s kind of the only tool he has to bludgeon them with and it was Congress that made it possible for him to do it. It’s also Congress that isn’t stopping him.

[creekster]

In general China is probably not ever going to fully play by the rules because it's a corrupt totalitarian regime that is trying to reap some of the benefits of free markets without actually being free. We should exert pressure on them, but no one other than Trump and a few others believe that across the board tariffs are the best way to do it. We shouldn't have pulled out of TPP. They want the benefits of that agreement, and we'd have more leverage working together with all those other nations. But "globalism" is of course evil and Trump never met a free trade agreement he liked that involved more than two countries or that he didn't think he came up with himself.

I am no expert but I am not sure what rules you are talking about here. In fact, it is not true that China chose to de-value its currency against some sort of rule or norm. To the contrary, what China did was stop supporting the Yuan's value by stopping purchase of Yuan's in the market place using its dollar reserves. Today the chinese central bank pegged the value of the Yuan at just below 7 to the dollar, which was a threshold foreign investors were worried about, I gather, and begin buying Yuan again to keep the currency at or above this value. This is why stocks have rebounded slightly and everyone calmed down and is all according to typical market procedures.

I agree that Trump's policies towards China are less than ideal, but it is also true, I think, that he appreciates that China needs us as much as or more than we need them. Don't kid yourself into thinking that China has delayed a vigorous response to the tariffs from a position of strength. It is already running low on dollar reserves, it is already seeing foreign capital flee to other nations due to the tariffs, and it is afraid of the negative effect on its own economy should it run out of dollars to prop up the Yuan resulting in its devaluation. There is no question that we stand to lose economically if the trade war continues, and no one more than Trump, who will be more likely lose a second term, but the Chinese will lose, too, and they understand this.

[creekster]

There are different ways of standing up to China. Initiating an unnecessary trade is not helpful. Trump is a simpleton and has thrown tariffs at Canada, Mexico, the EU, India etc.
That’s all he knows to do.

Are there other ways? What do you suggest that hasn't already been tried?

[falafel]

Are there other ways? What do you suggest that hasn't already been tried?

Perhaps impassioned speeches.