Once you understand this basic dynamic, almost everything Trump does becomes more legible. - ThreadSky

willoremus.com • 22 days ago

Once you understand this basic dynamic, almost everything Trump does becomes more legible.

It's just enormously important to understand that the goal of this tariff policy isn't to raise money or to increase manufacturing in the United States. The goal is to make some of the nation's largest companies subject to Trump's personal discretion and dependent on his favor.

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mkolanda.bsky.social•22 days ago

And states. 9/10 states that have op major auto manufacturers voted red

slotrak.bsky.social•22 days ago

Exactly as Putin did in the plunder of the newly born Russian Federation. He controlled the security forces. The oligarchs could get in line or die. If they got in line, they enjoyed untold riches.

wildebees.bsky.social•22 days ago

Disagree. Tariffs is a key part of the Trump ideology for several reasons. This is one of them. But to miss the others would make key parts of what he does less legible. For example he needs them to extend tax breaks for the wealthy. He needs them for his “spheres of influence”.

yetanotheruseless.com•22 days ago

And, he can issue them unilaterally, without going through Congress, unlike changes to the tax code.

*This*, more than all the reasons, is why he does this, IMO: because he can act free from having to negotiate with *anyone* in Congress.

sanity56.bsky.social•22 days ago

I thought the republicans wanted to institute tariffs and eliminate income taxes to transfer the whole tax burden to the middle class and poor?
Or is that just a extra bonus?

carenow.bsky.social•22 days ago

Another immutable dynamic - Consumer spending drives the economy. Social Security benefits stand between many consumers and bankruptcy. The bankrupt can’t spend enough to help the economy grow. Capitalists unite! You have nothing to lose but your profits!

https://wapo.st/4bw24ZP

neilturkewitz.bsky.social•22 days ago

Unpredictability, fueled by ignorance, selfishness and cruelty, is his superpower. Kindness, tolerance and empathy are his kryptonite, so c’mon folks—let’s reduce him to a pile of rubble.

palumboliu.bsky.social•22 days ago

Makes total sense to me. It’s always, always about his ego.

phoutz.bsky.social•22 days ago

I'm not sure that he's really that cunning. I think it's all about ratings -- he sees that the US has a trade deficit with Canada and with Mexico and to him that means they are "winning." In other words, they have higher ratings. So he's going to fix that, dammit.

It's all a TV show to him.

jamesmccormick.bsky.social•21 days ago

Plus the dopamine rush of turning a quick profit by manipulating the markets.

markspotsthex.bsky.social•22 days ago

This is why you treat credibly-accused sexual abusers with scorn not praise. When praised, the abusers assume they have license to continue, if not elevate, their behavior.

gsirc.bsky.social•22 days ago

Respectfully disagree. tRUmp is an underling, a tool, an asset. The 'basic dynamic' is Putin not pussy-footing around this time -- hollow out America ASAP & cause chaos, violence, & global disruption.

lovesunflowers.bsky.social•22 days ago

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1ELoTNBcmp/

jimsdouglas.bsky.social•22 days ago

From our perspective, the completely unjustified tariffs are intended to weaken us economically and soften us up for annexation. The fentanyl pretext is preposterous; fentanyl from Canada to the U.S. is essentially zero.

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