“Liberation Day” Tariffs Explained

The April 2 announcement contained two distinct tariff actions.

First, a universal 10 percent tariff will apply to virtually all U.S. imports starting April 5.

Second, beginning April 9, the administration will impose country-specific “reciprocal” tariffs—targeted at 57 named countries, with rates reaching as high as 50 percent. These nations were identified as chronic trade offenders, based on their bilateral trade surpluses with the United States, perceived tariff asymmetries, and other barriers to U.S. exports.

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[–] TheModerateTankie@hexbear.net 14 points 6 hours ago

smuglord How can global warming be real when I can still see snow on mountains?

[–] CthulhusIntern@hexbear.net 6 points 5 hours ago

$1.50 could be the equivalent of less than a cent in the future, but the Costco hot dog meal will still be sold for that much.

[–] adultswim_antifa@hexbear.net 34 points 9 hours ago (3 children)

It's been two days and the bar is that there aren't riots at Costco yet.

[–] Ledericas@lemm.ee 2 points 1 hour ago

Unless it involves Pokemon cards, theres fights over scalpers and "investors"

[–] ProletarianDictator@hexbear.net 8 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

Toilet paper hording is the bar for concern

[–] InevitableSwing@hexbear.net 4 points 3 hours ago* (last edited 3 hours ago)

What I love about that example is - for one - toilet paper doesn't go bad. And you sure as fuck are going to have problems if you run out, it's sold out everywhere locally, and even at online places like Amazon it's sold out too. If Trump doesn't eventually back down - there will be black markets in the US.

"You want toilet paper? Yeah, I got a roll. I'll even be honest with ya 'cause that's how I roll - I mean am. It's single ply and it's about as soft as sandpaper. It's a 'banana'. That means ten bucks."

[–] InevitableSwing@hexbear.net 17 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

He writes "your money" columns for the Times. I assume it's columns like "Your kid's university will cost upwards of $70,000 a year. How can you afford it?" I wonder how long it's been since he talked to or thought about anybody who isn't wealthy enough to be a prospective reader of his columns.

Maybe in the near future he'll have a column titled "Despite the Trumpian economic chaos - here's how you might plan a family summer vacay in Europe."

[–] miz@hexbear.net 22 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

I hope that NYT columnist starves to death

[–] InevitableSwing@hexbear.net 11 points 9 hours ago

On social media - I told him he was an idiot. Telling him he should die would have been so much better but that surely would have at least put me in posting jail. Or they might even nuke my account. I never read the TOS.

[–] anarchoilluminati@hexbear.net 7 points 7 hours ago (3 children)

This is dumb, but honestly just passed by a lot of bars and were shocked at how packed they are with people dropping so much cash.

I know the repercussions haven't really hit yet but I assumed more people would be just a little worried. Maybe they just don't understand what's going on or even know about it. I'm going to be saving my soon-to-be-worthless scraps of USD for a while at least.

[–] GeneralSwitch2Boycott@hexbear.net 2 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

How the imperial core handled COVID totally eroded the last bit of prudence and forward-thinking from the populace.

[–] GeneralSwitch2Boycott@hexbear.net 2 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

The sheer wall of future problems seems so immense that saving money and practicing any level of self-denial feels pointless to a lot of liberals right now.

[–] Terrarium@hexbear.net 2 points 2 hours ago

I've been buying a little more because I expect prices to skyrocket soon. Things I was planning to get anyways eventually but was in no rush to buy. Then I'll be in ascetic mode if this goes on for a long time.

[–] InevitableSwing@hexbear.net 3 points 3 hours ago

I wonder how bad things will have to be for average right-wing American Joe Chud to give a shit. I imagine the first step will be him getting a phone call from his parents who are in a panic telling them that they don't have money for food or for rent. Or maybe both. Mr. Chud knew their finances were tight but how could things get this bad so fast??? And Social Security checks will be delayed? For how long? What the fuck!

He'll will realize with a shock that at least for the short term meemaw and geegaw are gonna have to move in with him - however unwanted that is. Home life is gonna suck. And then a couple weeks later he learns his company is downsizing in what is euphemistically described as "due to the current situation." Then he'll realize he is fucked too. Mr. Chud will be insane with rage. But I don't think he's going to blame Trump. Instead he'll blame "the democrats" or "DEI" or "foreigners" or whoever right-wing media is says are literal demons trying to destroy America.

Good times.

[–] AntiOutsideAktion@hexbear.net 9 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Do they know what a loss leader is..?

[–] came_apart_at_Kmart@hexbear.net 7 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

maybe he thinks if he buys enough costco sodas and hotdogs, he can trade them later for whatever he needs.

[–] ElChapoDeChapo@hexbear.net 4 points 3 hours ago

Post apocalyptic life hack