Trump Job Approval
| Pollsters wrong in 2024: | 42.0 / 55.1 | -13.0 |
| Pollsters right in 2024: | 46.2 / 51.0 | -4.8 |
 | GOP | DEM |
| Democrats +3 | 216 | 219 |
Trump Job Approval
| Pollsters wrong in 2024: | 42.0 / 55.1 | -13.0 |
| Pollsters right in 2024: | 46.2 / 51.0 | -4.8 |
| GOP | DEM |
| Democrats +3 | 216 | 219 |
The Hedgehog Report - Phoenix Edition 
101 responses to “It’s Monday. Again.”
More assessment from Europe on Trumps very big “backing down” trade deal . if this is backing down, please back down some more with your other trade deals, Mr. President . So much winning! LOl! Per the UK Telegraph business desk –
“Donald Trump, as he might put it himself, has knocked this one out of the park.
The deal will have huge consequences for transatlantic trade, and will raise huge revenues for Washington. The EU’s exports to America are worth over €500 billion a year, and it enjoys a €198.2 billion surplus. We can expect exports to fall a little as the levies are imposed, but it will still raise billions for the American government.
It will make at least a small dent in the $1.8 trillion federal deficit, and, more plausibly, allow Trump to cut taxes elsewhere. It will encourage EU companies to massively invest in the US as the only way of remaining competitive in the world’s most lucrative market.
It will also deal a huge blow to sectors such automotives, luxury goods, and pharmaceuticals, where Europe still enjoys some competitive advantages, crippling Germany’s already weak economy, and worsening France’s already critical budget crisis. And what did the EU get in return for all that? Absolutely nothing. It is meant to be a negotiating super-power. But it does not look that way right now.
Even more painful for the bloc will be the knowledge that Brexit Britain, which was meant to have fatally weakened itself in trade negotiations, now has a lower 10 per cent rate on most goods imported into the US. And Ireland looks set to get hammered on pharmaceutical exports, one of its largest industries, which will now face hefty levies.
Short of having to ship the Mona Lisa to Mar-a-Lago it is hard to see how it could have worked out better for President Trump. After two decades of relative economic decline, and with crushing taxes and regulation suffocating the life out of its industry, the EU is now too weak to stand up to the US. Its fragility has been painfully exposed – and this deal will only make it worse. “
Read more here – https://archive.md/5bP0H#selection-2153.4-2157.133
LikeLike
But Muh Epplestein
https://twitter.com/shepmjs/status/1949650258641703166/photo/1
LikeLike
Tina will never explain why she thinks “Epplestein” is clever or funny.
LikeLike
“with the U.K., Japan and others already in hand, it seems beyond dispute that Trump’s trade strategy is working. Among other things, he is isolating both China and Russia. If the EU is buying $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S.–let that number sink in–it will be buying that much less from Russia.
There is a lot of winning going on these days”
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/07/trade-deal-with-european-union.php
LikeLike
The AFL-CIO “conservatives” are in love with each other.
LikeLike
Fla2025 – If there were no tariffs on European goods sold to America and American goods sold to Europe, would you support that? Which side would benefit more in your opinion.
LikeLike
“tariffs, despite their potential (at times) negative effects, remain the only viable tool for a country to create a more strategically diversified industrial economy”
Zzzzzz…garbage and drivel.
Fake economic isolationist justification for stupid tariffs and trade wars # 438
As usual, certified imbecile FLA2025 follows NYC’s theory that “while tariffs are bad, Trump’s tariffs are great”, as if Trump was a genius that transformed the failed AFL-CIO agenda of the isolationism and protectionism of the last 70 years and (finally!) discovered that it works (zzzzzzz).
He also claims I don’t know enough about him to call him an economic isolationist and protectionist.
Let me remind him that at HHR, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it IS a duck.
FLA2025 has yet to explain on how going from 50% proposed tariffs to 15% is not “backing down”.
LikeLike
If the EU is buying $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S.–let that number sink in–it will be buying that much less from Russia.”
Selling energy to Europe is good policy. It implies the US has energy to sell, the Europeans need the product, and the price is satisfactory to both parties.
I know that is news to FLA2025, but that is how international commerce, which he hates so much, works.
What is missing is how stupid tariffs and trade wars have anything to do with it.
LikeLike
“We can expect exports to fall a little as the levies are imposed, but it will still raise billions for the American government. “
This little gem reveals a lot.
The goal is to reduce international trade, and that is achieved by “exports to fall a little” (translation: probably will fall a lot)
Then wie have “but it will raise billions”, where the cat is out of the bag, somehow international commerce is viewed as a revenue source for the government.
The problem is there is no free lunch, the cost of these “revenues” will be reflected in both a higher tax on consumers and lower economic activity from the “fall in exports”. (which ultimately is also reflected in lower tax revenues along the supply chain).
There are no miracles or free lunch.
LikeLike
Every one of FLA2025’s links and “assessments” are from known free trade haters and economic isolationists, who of course LOVE tariffs and trade wars.
It’s called confirmation bias.
LikeLike
Bitter wants to sell me his fancy snow blower for $5000.
I said you are crazy.
So he lowered it to $3000, a massive discount.
I told him to to GFH.
So he reduced it by another 50% and it is now $1500.
BITTER DID NOT BACK DOWN, HE IS JUST A GREAT CLOSER.
LikeLike
Tina will never explain why she thinks “Epplestein” is clever or funny”
Tina claims she is only attacking the “binders” she doesn’t talk about Epstein.
Yet she posts constantly about Epplelstein.
The hypocrisy is astounding.
LikeLike
Bitter, read my post on the other thread. If we could wave a magic wand and eliminate all barriers/tariffs, yes, except for the strategic industries that we need to onshore regardless of market efficiency and cost, like certain pharmaceuticals and certain military necessary industries. All the economic theories I referenced would now properly come into play in a purely free market. Both sides would benefit. Unfortunate, this is not reality or the world in which we live. People that understand economics and business know this. Morons like your friend Jason don’t.
———-
Jason wrote – if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck it is a duck – Well Jason, you’re one really dumb duck, lol! You’re the buffoon that wrote on a prior thread that we’re seeing “decreased economic activity” as a result of the Trump tariff policy. , when in fact all recent data is booming. Oh, and I’ll add John Hinderacker to the Jason list of AFl-cio conservatives. Every time you post you weaken the nation but entertain the masses, LOl!
LikeLike
Every one of FLA2025’s links and “assessments” are from known free trade haters and economic isolationists, who of course LOVE tariffs and trade wars.
It’s called confirmation bias.
——-
lol! This is beyond moronic. It’s ret@@ded. Name the “known free trader hater” I posted . John Hinderacker? You can’t be this stupid. Please, someone tell me this guy is just here for laughs.
LikeLike
It’s not just the rate of tariffs, it’s the Eu prohibiting the sale of our goods, or limiting them (us autos). We take their sheot and they won’t take ours.
The barriers and limitations are just as bad.
LikeLike
A joke that the Eu was buying Russian energy. The free passers were fine with that.
LikeLike
Ding, ding, ding! Give Tina a prize. She knows more than the self assessed business genius who’s shoveling shit on a farm in Pennsylvania, LOL!
LikeLike
John Hinderacker?”
I like Hinderacker and I read Powerline regularly.
But he is an attorney, I probably have forgotten more about international trade and business than he ever learned.
LikeLike
The free passers were fine with that.
Please name the posters.
LikeLike
“You’re the buffoon that wrote on a prior thread that we’re seeing “decreased economic activity” as a result of the Trump tariff policy”
Never said that, making sh-t up won’t help your losing arguments.
I said tariffs decrease international commerce on the products that incur the tariffs and consequently along the entire chain of supply, which includes transportation, marketing, sales, advertising, storage, retail space (if applicable) etc.
Again, if you don’t think raising the cost of products to consumers has any effect, you are trying to reinvent the basic laws of economics and pretending supply and demand doesn’t exist.
That is why certified imbecile fits.
LikeLike
John Hinderacker?”
I probably have forgotten more about international trade and business than he ever learned
——
From the bullshit you’ve posted, I would t bet on it, LOL! You’re the one who called him an anti free trader,. What a moron., LOL!
LikeLike
Never said that, making sh-t up won’t help your losing arguments.
———-
sure you did and everyone here read it. You are the moron of you. Keep shoveling that shit on your farm, not here. LOl!
LikeLike
FLA2025 is surprised that all the economic isolationists and protectionists still think that tariffs and trade wars is a fantastic trade policy and still support tariffs and trade wars.
And that everyone who believes international commerce is good for all parties involved and that we should promote free trade, free markets and free enterprise still think we should promote free trade, free markets and free enterprise.
Amazing.
LikeLike
sure you did and everyone here read it.”
In that case, since everyone read it, should be easy to find.
Show me the quote.
LikeLike
Keep shoveling that shit on your farm,”
High end discourse from an intellectual midget.
LikeLike
Just like with inflation, the impact of tariffs on general economic activity can be offset by other factors. For inflation, even if you have higher prices due to tariffs in some sectors, it could be a wash with lower prices in other sectors, such as energy. That doesn’t mean tariffs and trade wars are good policy.
And that is why I stated that the negative impact of tariffs will still be felt by sectors involved, but the general economic activity can be affected by tax policy, interest rates, etc.
I know this is too complicated for a low IQ moron like FLA2025 but c’est la vie.
LikeLike
High end discourse from an intellectual midget.
——
LOL! That’s rich coming from the HHR village idiot. Still waiting for you to support your statement that I only post articles on trade from people who are known free trader hater haters…..
I know, It’s tough for a guy like Jason. He’s too stupid to follow a train of thought or even remember what he previously wrote.
LikeLike
or even remember what he previously wrote.”
I guess the certified imbecile couldn’t find the quote but is too dishonest to admit he lied.
LikeLike
Just like with inflation, the impact of tariffs on general economic activity can be offset by other factors. For inflation, even if you have higher prices due to tariffs in some sectors, it could be a wash with lower prices in other sectors, such as energy. That doesn’t mean tariffs and trade wars are good policy.
And that is why I stated that the negative impact of tariffs will still be felt by sectors involved, but the general economic activity can be affected by tax policy, interest rates, etc.
——
keep spinning. More bullshit attempts to cover for your ridiculous claim that the tariffs have caused decreased economic activity when the data shows it booming. This is to be expected from someone like Jason that doesn’t have a clue about economics or business. Thays why he’s The HHR village idiot and lashes out at everyone. It’s to hide his lack of basic knowledge.
LikeLike
Still waiting for you to support your statement that I only post articles on trade from people who are known free trader hater haters”
LOL
Show me anyone who is a known free trade advocate who supports Trump’s tariffs and trade war agenda.
Besides, why don’t you own up to your beliefs.
I am clear in what I believe in. Free trade, free markets, free enterprise. I believe international trade is a creator of wealth for all parties who engage in it. I believe if you can’t build a product that is competitive in a globalized economy you shouldn’t be building it and you should be importing it. I don’t believe trade needs to be “balanced” because sometimes a country might need more from another country than that country needs from us (or vice versa).
What do you believe in besides “if Trump thinks it is good, I think it is good too”.
Like I said, we have diametrically opposed views on trade and its benefits. Why are you so ashamed of your view?
LikeLike
or your ridiculous claim that the tariffs have caused decreased economic activity when the data shows it booming.”
Show me the “ridiculous claim” where I said that.
Or admit you are a pathological liar.
LikeLike
his is to be expected from someone like Jason that doesn’t have a clue about economics or business.”
Shhhhh…
Don’t tell this to my clients who for decades have paid me advise them on international business decisions.
Let them stay in the dark, Lupita’s feed is up 40% since Biden took office.
LikeLike
LikeLike
LOl! I post references Keynes, Kindleberger’, and Ricardo to support my positions, the HHR village idiot Jason, writes long winded bullshit referencing his own moronic understanding of basic economics. Fortunately, everyone can read and see what an imbecile he is for themselves. Shhh, don’t tell him. It would deny us more of his reta@@des humor. LOL! Keep it coming, Love! What a moron!
LikeLike
Let me help FLA2025 out
Here is someone that says he was wrong about tariffs.
“WOW! Bill Maher admitted he was WRONG about Trump’s tariffs “The stock market is at an all time high!” “I would have thought — and I gotta own it — that these tariffs were going to f***ing sink this economy by this time — and they didn’t” “I don’t see a country in a depression at all. I see people out there just living their lives.”
The problem is, I don’t think Maher ever believed in free trade to start with.
LikeLike
Maybe one day the HHR village idiot can get things right like the idiot bill Maher that he posted. Don’t hold your breath, the economic moron is strong with this one.
LikeLike
The article the certified imbecile linked says
“European exporters will face triple the current 4.8%”
But according to him, this will have absolutely NO effect on prices for these products or international trade volume for these products.
AN ECONOMIC MIRACLE.
THE BASIC LAW OF ECONOMICS HAVE BEEN RENDERED OBSOLETE.
SUPPLY AND DEMAND NO LONGER APPLIES!
LikeLike
lol! Hey everyone, Keep waiting along with the village idiot Jason for those tariff induced decreased economic activity and mandatory increased prices. Exporting Companies never refrain from cutting into their profit margins and always pass on tariffs – at least that’s what the economic dolt and HHR village idiot said. Just keep waiting . Ignore the data and It’ll happen next year or in 10, the village idiot Jason promises it. LOL!
LikeLike
post references Keynes, Kindleberger’, and Ricardo to support my positions”
Zzzzzzz….
Not a surprise.
I am not a fan of Keynesian economics, much to the contrary. I am generally opposed to the kind of government interventions in the economy Keynes was fond of, and his theory that government spending should be used to offset declines in the private sector.
Kindleberger was very critical of one of my favorite economists, Milton Friedman. I am much more of a monetarist like Friedman, who believed in free markets (and opposed tariffs).
I am not that familiar with Ricardo, but if he thinks “tariffs are the only solution” (not sure he actually said that or FLA2025 is attributing it to him) I think he is wrong,
LikeLike
Exporting Companies never refrain from cutting into their profit margins”
Wait. So there IS a a consequence?
Wow. Baby steps, baby steps.
So let’s say a company exporting widgets to the US now has to “cut into their profit margins”.
So does that mean, for example, that they now have less money to invest in, say, promoting the widgets in the US. Maybe fewer ads, fewer promotions to the retailers? Would that affect volume or would the ECONOMIC MIRACLE free lunch kick in.
Of course that assumes they have margins sufficient to “cut into profit margins”.
More likely they will increase prices.
I don’t know if FLA2025 ever stopped being a blood sucking parasite and actually ever ran a business, but when faced with higher costs most companies have to raise prices.
“Cutting into profit margins” sounds good but very often is not viable.
LikeLike
Well there you have it, Jason, the HHR village idiot, disagrees with noted economists (or admits he doesn’t even know them). Put them all on the afl-cio members list. What a moron! Every time he speaks, he weakens the nation but humors us all. LOl!
LikeLike
disagrees with noted economists”
LOL
Yes, I agree with some and disagree with others.
Do you agree with “noted economist” Paul Krugman?
LikeLike
Some economists do believe in tariffs and trade wars.
FLA2025 agrees with them.
Some economists believe in free markets and free trade.
I agree with them.
The point is what exactly?
LikeLike
NEW: Longtime Washington Post fact checker Glenn Kessler announces he has taken a buyout and that the paper has yet to find a replacement.”
Good riddance.
LikeLike
FLA2025 proposes new economic theory, where elasticity of demand no longer exists, and laws of supply and demand no longer apply
He could be a freaking genius, and perhaps the first HHR member to win a Nobel prize.
Or he could be a certified moronic imbecile who has no idea what he is talking about.
Could go either way.
Place your bets.
LikeLike
Lol! The HHR village idiot Jason keeps spinning! But don’t worry, that great decrease in economic activity due to the Tariffs is coming any day now. He guarantees it. But don’t worry, maybe one day he’ll learn something about business and economics Right now, though, he’s shoveling shit on a farm, LOL!
LikeLike
Some [noted] economists do believe in tariffs and trade wars.
FLA2025 agrees with them.
Some economists believe in free markets and free trade.
I agree with them.
The point is what exactly?
——————
Well there is that word “noted” you left out that I used when referring to the economists I referenced. I know, it’s a big word for you and it probably went over your head. You are the HHR village idiot after all, but remain the genius of you. however, English, business and economics just aren’t your forte. LOL!
LikeLike
A footnote to the tariff debate – by securing the EU in a trade agreement the Trump Administration, in 6-7 months, has secured 60% of the world’s GDP in trade agreements. That’s no small feat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
More winning for the US characterized as caving by the HHR village idiot. Um, Um , um, give me some more of these asymmetric trade deals that open foreign markets to US goods. Even the leftist MSM see this as a victory for Trump and the USA. Unfortunately , the HHR village idiot is too stupid to appreciate the victory and the benefit of opening of foreign markets to US goods alongside huge capital commitments –
excerpt –
“in the Trump dominated global economy, the US gets plenty but gives nothing in return.
Why it matters: This is the reality of the asymmetric trade deals touted by the White House, which show how far foreign leaders will go to safeguard access to the U.S. market.
The big picture: Trump announced agreements with Europe and Japan in which both agreed to drop their tariff rates to zero, promised eye-popping investments in the U.S., and opened markets to American producers.
read more here – https://archive.is/zDsPX
LikeLike
disagrees with noted economists”
LOL
Yes, I agree with some and disagree with others.
Do you agree with “noted economist” Paul Krugman?”
I missed you answer, you might have been distracted.
And I will be happy to correct myself, I do disagree with some NOTED economists, agree with other NOTED economists.
LikeLike
Tariffs and trade policies effect a far wider circle of events, such as creating a cease fire interlude.
Takeaways by Bloomberg AI
LikeLike
I cite noted economists and data that supports the positions I’ve posted. You cite the genius of you or one of your Llamas. Big difference, but then again, you are the HHR village idiot, LOL!
LikeLike
Hmmm…
Imagine how much disapproval there would be if this wasn’t the case (btw, it isn’t)
“in the Trump dominated global economy, the US gets plenty but gives nothing in return”
“In some cases, the disparities are striking. Disapproval of Trump’s handling of inflation outweighs approval by 11 points, and yet the GOP is trusted more than Democrats to handle inflation by 10 points. By 17 points, voters disapprove rather than approve of Trump’s handling of tariffs, and yet Republicans are trusted more than Democrats on the issue by 7 points.”
I guess most voters don’t believe the basic laws of economics have been revoked yet.
Maybe just because they haven’t read FLA2025’s novel theories yet.
LikeLike
cite noted economists and data that supports the positions I’ve posted.”
Of course you do.
That was MY point. Nothing new here, people who oppose free trade will continue to oppose it, people like me who believe in free trade will continue to support. That goes for “noted economists” too.
I can also bring up “noted economists”. I know you would hate a free trade advocate like Milton Friedman, but he did win the Nobel Prize. I think that qualifies as “noted”.
“Milton Friedman was a strong advocate for free trade and strongly opposed tariffs, arguing they harm consumers and overall economic growth. He believed tariffs, while appearing to protect domestic industries, ultimately lead to higher prices for consumers and reduced innovation due to lack of competition. Friedman viewed tariffs as a form of government intervention that distorts market signals and hinders efficient resource allocation”
LikeLike
Still waiting for FLA2025’s answer.
Do you agree with “noted economist” Paul Krugman?”
After all, you wouldn’t want to disagree with “noted economists”, right?
Btw, I bet Krugman hates the concept of free trade too, just a guess.
LikeLike
More good news for all but the HHR village idiot, Jason. This is compiled by the AFL-cio conservative and anti free trader (according to the Jason the idiot) John Hinderacker –
So the bottom line is that President Trump negotiated aggressively on behalf of his country, and got us favorable terms. When Trump first entered the political arena, he vowed to put America first. Some considered this scandalous, but I wrote at the time that it sounded like the president’s job description. I can’t explain why some of Trump’s predecessors did not see fit to put our interests first, but he obviously does.
Meanwhile, the predicted ill-effects of the president’s tariff policies have not yet materialized:
read more here – https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2025/07/how-europeans-see-the-eu-trade-deal.php
Hey, village idiot Jason, I’ll give you my take on your buddy Kidman after you provide one of those “anti free trader” economists you falsely claimed I referenced. In the meantime, try reading some of noted economists David Ricardo’s writings. He’s only written what every grad school B student has read – the law of comparative advantage in international trade. Might be over the HHR village idiot reading comprehension level, but who knows?
LikeLike
anti free trader” economists you falsely claimed I referenced”
Zzzzzz…
What I actually said:
“Every one of FLA2025’s links and “assessments” are from known free trade haters and economic isolationists, who of course LOVE tariffs and trade wars.”
You left out economic isolationists. I think people who advocate for protectionism (i.e. as you pointed out yourself, people who agree with your stated position) are economic isolationists.
Keynes, Ricardo and Kindleberger are long dead so they weren’t providing assessments of Trump’s tariffs.
And btw Ricardo was not a protectionist, he defended a laissez faire model free of tariffs and trade restrictions.
LikeLike
Still waiting for you to come up with the quotes you attributed to me that were lies.
Still waiting for your answer on whether Paul Krugman is a “noted economist” and is it ok to disagree with him.
Finally, still waiting:
Besides, why don’t you own up to your beliefs.
I am clear in what I believe in. Free trade, free markets, free enterprise. I believe international trade is a creator of wealth for all parties who engage in it. I believe if you can’t build a product that is competitive in a globalized economy you shouldn’t be building it and you should be importing it. I don’t believe trade needs to be “balanced” because sometimes a country might need more from another country than that country needs from us (or vice versa).
What do you believe in besides “if Trump thinks it is good, I think it is good too”.
Like I said, we have diametrically opposed views on trade and its benefits. Why are you so ashamed of your view?”
LikeLike
”Please, someone tell me this guy is just here for laughs.”
-I’m feeling charitable, so I will say YES.
LikeLike
I know the answer to my questions:
“jason is a village idiot who shovels sh’t on a PA farm”.
Some deep sh-t there….
LikeLike
per Jason – of course you do
——
Nah, I love uncle Milty. He’s right about tariffs being a form of government intervention that distorts market signals and hinders efficient resource allocation. That’s why we needed to use their threat to force Japan and Europe as well as other nations to eliminate theirs and reduce those barriers to US goods, just like Trump did with his recent trade deals. I would love for the free hand to operate unrestricted in all world trade (other than for certain strategic industries that need to be onshored regardless of cost as I’ve mentioned previously). However, that’s not the world in which we live and our mercantilistic trading partners have taken advantage of that and distorted the trading field to our extreme disadvantage. What you can’t comprehend is that these trade deals are bringing it closer to the ideals espoused by Uncle Milty, not further, even with a small remaining tariff on US imported goods. Again, just to reiterate, on the whole, the aggregate market distortion is less as a result of these trade deals compared to the huge foreign barriers in place before. As noted in the article above, and just to underline it for Jason – The big picture: Trump announced agreements with Europe and Japan in which both agreed to drop their tariff rates to zero, promised eye-popping investments in the U.S., and opened markets to American producers.
Uncle Milty would be proud of that last paragraph.
oh and btw all of Ricardo’s theories assume an unimpeded free hand at play, which was the point I was making. Nothing works without it. He even said that but I guess that also went over your head.
LikeLike
Ah yes, NYC who has sold out every conservative principle he ever had so he could agree with everything Trump says or does, is here.
Great “ally” there.
LikeLike
“As noted in the article above, and just to underline it for Jason – The big picture: Trump announced agreements with Europe and Japan in which both agreed to drop their tariff rates to zero, promised eye-popping investments in the U.S., and opened markets to American producers.
Uncle Milty would be proud of that last paragraph.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Stop it NYCMike. That’s too dense for Jason, the HHR village idiot
LikeLike
What you can’t comprehend is that these trade deals are bringing it closer to the ideals espoused by Uncle Milty, not further,”
LOL
“F–king for virginity” comes to mind.
Sorry, the “we should impose tariffs so we can get rid of tariffs” would NEVER be something Milton Friedman would support, so don’t pretend that turd will flush.
Again, Trump has railed against free trade and free markets for over 40 years. It is the ONE thing he has been entirely consistent on.
The idea that now he wants to promote free trade but doing the exact opposite of what free trade is about is laughable.
Trump hates international commerce as a core value. He thinks America First means America the Island.
And let’s face it, you agree with him.
Nothing really wrong with that, but let’s not pretend otherwise.
Like I said before, I support 90% of Trump’s agenda, I cannot support his protectionist trade policies and trade wars, and I cannot support his position on Ukraine.
Sorry, cultists.
LikeLike
Uncle Milty would be proud of that last paragraph.”
Poor Milton Friedman, having certified imbeciles like FLA2025 and NYC put their ignorant words in his mouth. He doesn’t deserve that.
Friedman didn’t support tariffs. He didn’t support trade wars. And he certainly did not support the “threat of tariffs” as a “negotiating stance”.
LikeLike
Please note: the next time Trump uses tariffs to solely support union workers, like the AFL-CIO/Democrats do, will be the first time it happens.
Of course, private sector union membership may benefit, but that is fine with me. They vote. Let’s get them on our side with an expanding economy and tax base
LikeLike
ok, maybe I shouldn’t have been so charitable with the llama lover. He really must like digging…..
LikeLike
Jason , the HHR village idiot is too stupid to realize that Milton Friedman would be pleased to see Japan and the EU bring their tariffs down to zero. Maybe that’s why he’s shoveling shit on a farm while I’m fishing on one of my boats. LOL!
LikeLike
However, that’s not the world in which we live and our mercantilistic trading partners have taken advantage of that and distorted the trading field to our extreme disadvantage.”
BS. Every time I read that garbage I want to vomit
If it wasn’t in our interest to import foreign goods nobody would import them and nobody would buy them. And if we have US made goods and services that others want to buy, they will buy them.
I know elitist a-holes that can afford to pay more for everything say “f–k those lowly WM shoppers”, they don’t need to afford thing.
Sorry, but my view is the US should be promoting free trade, not curtailing it. I believe that as a core value as much as Trump believes the opposite as a core value.
LikeLike
ok, maybe I shouldn’t have been so charitable with the llama lover.”
Please don’t. Anytime you feel “charitable” or agree with me on anything it makes me feel dirty and want to take 30 showers.
We are not on the same side, let’s keep it that way.
LikeLike
Let’s just face it, Jason, you’re just too stupid to comprehend that the aggregate market impact of these trade deals , on the whole, is smaller than the market distortion that we had in place before because of all the , now removed, foreign barriers to US goods. It’s a difficult concept, but just noodle it a bit as you scrub down the Llama
LikeLike
I hate it when protectionist idiots take Friedman in vain.
Does this sound like someone who would support Trump’s stupid tariffs and trade wars?
. Friedman argued that tariffs protect specific industries from competition, which leads to higher prices for consumers. He famously quipped that tariffs protect consumers from low prices.
By shielding domestic industries from foreign competition, tariffs reduce the incentive for domestic businesses to innovate and improve their products and services, according to a historical analysis.
Friedman highlighted that the benefits of tariffs, such as job protection in specific industries, are concentrated among a few and are easily identifiable. However, the costs, such as higher prices for consumers, are spread across the entire population and are less noticeably.
And finally, on the argument that “well, other countries don’t practice free trade, why should we?
Friedman advocated for unilateral free trade, meaning that the US should reduce or eliminate tariffs regardless of whether other countries reciprocate. He believed that even if other countries maintain tariffs, the US would still benefit from free trade
LikeLike
Let that sink in to the protectionist morons:
Friedman advocated for unilateral free trade, meaning that the US should reduce or eliminate tariffs regardless of whether other countries reciprocate. He believed that even if other countries maintain tariffs, the US would still benefit from free trade
LikeLike
I am sorry that FLA2025 disagrees with a “noted economist”
LikeLike
Nah, I love uncle Milty. I just think you, as the village idiot are too stupid to see that we are closer to his view of unfettered market distortion than we were before due to the trade deals forcing our partners to eliminate barriers to US goods. Again, it involves big words like aggregate impact that you can’t understand, having limited business and economic experience.
LikeLike
Jason, you’re just too stupid to comprehend that the aggregate market impact of these trade deals , on the whole, is smaller than the market distortion that we had in place before”
Funny, because I actually said I didn’t oppose the deal because I thought we could live with 15%, especially when compared to the disastrous 50% Trump wanted before he backed down.
This whole argument stems from the fact you got offended that I said Trump backed down, which should be universally accepted as true since if you want 50% and you get 15% you are backing down. Period.
I even remarked I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, meaning I thought we dodged a bullet. And I said the energy deal was extremely positive.
You also were offended that I said everyone understands Trump’s game at this time, let’s not pretend its any type of genius strategy. The “negotiating stance” BS might have worked at the very beginning, its way past expiration date now.
LikeLike
blah blah blah, Jason. Look, the bite is picking up and you have Llamas to clean. Let’s just agree to disagree and stop hogging this board.
LikeLike
having limited business and economic experience”
LOL
A blood sucking parasite who probably never ran a lemonade stand says I don’t have business experience.
I have only done work in 50+ countries around the world, working with companies who pay me for my expertise in international business.
But the blood sucking parasite has learned big words like “aggregate impact”, there is that.
This is why I love HHR. it’s not everywhere you can experience alternate universes on a daily basis.
A universe where if you are an advocate of protectionism and isolationism you are “smart”. If you believe in free trade and free markets you are “stupid”.
LikeLike
Let’s just agree to disagree and stop hogging this board.”
I already proposed that long ago. You are the one extending the argument in the first post of the day, whining again about the “backing down” comment.
We have diametrically opposite views on trade and international commerce.
Leave it at that.
LikeLike
We can now return to my favorite topic.
Llama husbandry.
LikeLike
Not sure why the market is down today.
It should have liked the EU trade deal, not so much for the content, but because it averted a trade war the market was concerned about.
Anything else going on?
LikeLike
More rantings from the HHR village idiot, Jason. LOL! Yeah, you’re so successful. That’s why you’re shoveling shit on a farm while I’m enjoying myself out here on the water. Successful businessman? More like HHR village idiot with no understanding of basic economics or actual business negotiating skills. What a deluded moron! But hey, I m enjoying the entertainment. Just curious, are the people who pay you for those “expertise in international business” in the room with you now or do you just see them in your head now and then?
LikeLike
No, only the cat is in the room now.
But thanks for asking.
LikeLike
Baier is getting like 8 times the viewership that Tapper gets.
Geezus.
https://x.com/StevenCheung47/status/1949874343745331336
LikeLike
Should say 6 times, not 8. But still astounding.
LikeLike
Let’s just agree to disagree and stop hogging this board.”
I guess he wasn’t ready to stop hogging the board.
Oh well.
LikeLike
I’m enjoying myself out here on the water.”
Yeah, those plastic kiddie pools are nice, huh?
Maybe use the Trump tax break and get yourself one with the slide.
LikeLike
Democrats Strangely Silent As Details Released on ‘Good Guy With a Gun’ in Walmart Mass Stabbing Case”
I predicted this yesterday.
What a dilemma.
The good guy with the gun is a young black guy with dreadlocks.
LikeLike
About that $1.5 billion “withheld from Ukraine” Tina and janzam were so enthusiastic about.
Sorry Ukraine and Zelensky haters, the volcano spewed a pebble.
LikeLike
Chris Matthews getting another thrill up his leg?
“To be honest with you, the country is moving towards Trump,” Matthews explained. “These polls, they come out and show him not doing well — I don’t buy that. His strength is still greater than the Democrats’ strength.”
“He is a stronger public figure than the Democratic people,” he added. “[Former President Barack] Obama still has tremendous charisma — but Trump has strength. And I think that’s what all voters look for.”
“[Voters] want a president who is a strong figure,” Matthews continued. “And he’s got it. It’s just there. And half the country buys it.”
LikeLike
Animals on Drugs on Discovery tonight.
Hippos on cocaine, gators on meth, and bears on booze.
Should be interesting.
LikeLike
It is boring to read a long back and forth discussion about tariffs between two people who have very different views.
Save this thread and come back in an year or two and see which of the two posters is more right in their stance posted above.
Mike drop…
LikeLike
More important than tariff discussion is the sentence:
“Do geese see God?”
a palindrome! I had never seen before in all my years.
LikeLike
Save this thread and come back in an year or two and see which of the two posters is more right in their stance posted above”
There is no right or wrong, really.
The divide between those that favor free trade and free markets and those that believe in protectionism and isolationism is not going to be resolved in a year or a decade or a lifetime.
It is like proponents of smaller government vs. proponents of big government.
It’s not a right or wrong issue, it is a philosophical difference.
LikeLike
RIP, Ryne Sandberg. The Phillies trade you away and you became a Hall of Fame player for the Cubs.
LikeLike
Chris Cillizza Thinks AOC Has the Best Chance of Being the 2028 Dem Nominee”
Ok, I admit I was wrong to push for Obama over Hillary because I thought she would be easier to beat.
But what the hell, I will send AOC a check if she runs.
LikeLike
Because I thought HE would be easier to beat.
LikeLike
Hippos weren’t on cocaine. They found one poor gator trapped in sewage that had some drugs in his body.
But boozing bears are pretty common, they do seem to like alcohol.
LikeLike
C
LikeLike
NT
LikeLike