Corrupt & punitive use of tariffs

[chr0naut]

Just today, the USA have proposed implementing raised tariffs against New Zealand, based upon the baseless allegation that we somehow support "forced labor". We don't:

NZ rejects US claims of 'forced labour', as tariffs hiked

On the same day, there was this news post on the UK's IT news site, "The Register":

Latest Musk merch drop runs entirely on child labor

This clearly evidences US government corruption, linked closely to the inner circle of the current US administration.

There have been claims that the tariffs had netted billions of dollars for the USA. Since then, the extra tariffs were declared illegal by the US Supreme Court. So the POTUS has once again, just as illegally, implemented new tariffs.

I wonder if the US people have noticed the influx of billions into the economy, or if there is, instead, an affordability crisis for the average US citizen?

[IDELB2006]

It would not surprise me if the tarifs are just another means of market manipulation.

Especially now that Trump has begun to sell access to the Epstein class by giving subscribers a preview to his next moves.

[ElitePlebeian]

CLeArLY CorRupT. Sure must be corruption if one of Musks companies sells some merch that is made by cheap labor like anyone elses merch or how the biggest brands use that same trick. But because of Musks name it must be because of corruption somehow. What a waste of time is this thread.

And then the next poster eggs on this hopeless narrative that everything Trump does or anyone connected to him is corrupt or whatever. 

However I agree that Trump waves his tarriffs wand way too easy.

[andy06shake]

New Zealand exporters may suffer from reduced sales but as you know, the tariff is a tax on imported goods.

And it is paid by the importer in the United States.

And that importer passes some or all of that extra cost on to American consumers through higher prices.

It's clown shoes...

[chr0naut]

New Zealand exporters may suffer from reduced sales but as you know, the tariff is a tax on imported goods.

And it is paid by the importer in the United States.

And that importer passes some or all of that extra cost on to American consumers through higher prices.

It's clown shoes...

Yeah, but if you are a small provider and can't get sales - say of a unique product like medical grade Manuka honey - and the only substitute that a very big market can get their hands on is a deceptively labelled, and priced, local knock-off.

Not only are the little guys missing out on sales right now, but the reputation of quality and effectiveness of the real product is also damaged in the mind of consumers.

So the producer/exporter is also being penalized, along with the consumer. The exporter is forced to raise prices to make it profitable again, which some consumers might possibly pay, but most just won't.

And the importing government gets their cut on every import, sold to the public or not, and, here's the kicker, that government gets even more money as the price of the imported items rises. Money for nothing, at least for the importing country's government, right?

The money is supposed to go into treasury and trickle down into the economy making it all big and strong. That's the theory.

But, instead, it just seems to have gone away?

The explanation being that it goes to fund 'various government programs and policies', and apparently 'much of it has already been spent or allocated to offset the federal deficit'. So, they are saying that particular money was spent before the government even got it? Does that sound right to you?

And now that the Supreme court has struck down the IEEPA tariffs, apparently the bean-counters are reporting a negative balance. Wut? The money has definitely gone - but where?

Remember back when there was that Iran-Contra mess and there was this big illegal money-go-round that was entirely hidden from Congress by the top guys in the administration? It seems there are ways for a government to hide money in places that just seem to fall 'outside of audit'.

Iran-Contra affair - Wikipedia

Hmmm....

[Tecate]

As anything political, it’s just high level hypocrisy.

Fall of the Roman Empire type stuff. Anyone remember the adage that blaming others is just to hide what you yourself are doing? Anyone who believes that politicians have the interest of their constituents at heart is a moron.

Oh, they may start out that way, but it quickly becomes an endeavour to line their own pockets. This is no different at all.

If a product can be made cheaper it will be. Offshore or elsewhere. Really good quality products take time and effort and quickly become expensive. There’s always someone who will create a knockoff that looks surprisingly appealing but fails or just doesn’t last.

It has become the norm in business manufacturing.


As usual, my 2 pesos…

Tecate

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

CLeArLY CorRupT. Sure must be corruption if one of Musks companies sells some merch that is made by cheap labor like anyone elses merch or how the biggest brands use that same trick. But because of Musks name it must be because of corruption somehow. What a waste of time is this thread.

And then the next poster eggs on this hopeless narrative that everything Trump does or anyone connected to him is corrupt or whatever. 

However I agree that Trump waves his tarriffs wand way too easy.

Clearly an asshole move.  It goes with slapping 50% tariffs on those evil Canadian socialists. FREE TRADE IS EVIL and Canada was first with retaliatory tarriffs in 2005! On oysters!!

So!

• You must use Wilson or Rawlings and fuck Bauer and CCM.
• Maple syrup must be from Vermont.
• NO GRAVY AND CURDS ON FRENCH FRIED POTATOES! (KETCHUP ONLY)
• NO KETCHUP FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS. ("crsips" for those in UK) 
• AND THOSE FROM DETROIT BETTER NOT GO TO WINDSOR!

* You can still go to Costco, but you can't make it as much of an event as Canadians do...

...so here is a song about an airport with significantly fewer flights to The United States this year...

* 50% tariffs on Alex and Geddy, 15% for Anika.

[quintessentone]

Clearly an asshole move.  It goes with slapping 50% tariffs on those evil Canadian socialists. FREE TRADE IS EVIL and Canada was first with retaliatory tarriffs in 2005! On oysters!!

So!

• You must use Wilson or Rawlings and fuck Bauer and CCM.
• Maple syrup must be from Vermont.
• NO GRAVY AND CURDS ON FRENCH FRIED POTATOES! (KETCHUP ONLY)
• NO KETCHUP FLAVORED POTATO CHIPS. ("crsips" for those in UK) 
• AND THOSE FROM DETROIT BETTER NOT GO TO WINDSOR!

* You can still go to Costco, but you can't make it as much of an event as Canadians do...

And if Canada loses - you lose.

Tourism:

"Economic Impact: The boycott cost the U.S. economy an estimated $5.7 billion in lost tourism spending in 2025, with some estimates reaching $8.4 billion based on granular data.  Key destinations like Las Vegas saw Canadian visitors drop by 17%, while border duty-free shops reported sales declines of up to 80%."

---

Alcohol Sales:

"The restrictions were implemented through provincial liquor boards, which control most alcohol sales in Canada. Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec have maintained the bans despite pressure from U.S. officials and industry groups.  Consequently, Canadian-made alcohol sales have surged, with some Ontario distillers reporting increases of 100% to 600% as consumers shifted to local products. 

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/...c-in-2026/

U.S. lawmakers, including Congresswoman Claudia Tenney, have introduced the CANADA Act to investigate the boycott as a discriminatory trade practice.  While some provinces like Nova Scotia and Manitoba have sold off remaining U.S. inventory for charity, major markets remain closed to American liquor as trade tensions persist into 2026"


https://www.reddit.com/r/canada/comments...vastating/

[IdeomotorPrisoner]

I HATE PROTECTIONISM AND ISOLATIONISM.

Milton Friedman is writhing in his grave right now. 

And I am disturbed we are ACTUALLY blaming Canada.  

Plus, I thought when a country puts tarriffs on goods coming into the country it is mostly passed to the consumer in the country that imposed the tariffs.

Like when UK imports something American (the American company) raise the prices to compensate for the tariffs and makes the end product absorb the cost...

And when people cheer on these reciprocal tariffs they are actually cheering OUR costs going up after the EU company raises their prices to compensate.

Like with the hockey gear. Bauer will raise their prices up to 50% and pass the cost to the USA buyers, if they still want superior canadian hockey equipment. 

When did our foreign policy become so destined for the anchor chain? 

Give blow for blow, scorn for scorn, doom for doom - with compound interest liberally added thereunto! Eye for eyes, tooth for tooth, aye four-fold, a hundred-fold! Make yourself a Terror to your adversary..." 

- Something plagiarized from Might Is Right. 

And equally as self-destructive as any other law of retribution when applied collectively..

[quintessentone]

This video shows that consumer's (American families) overpayments from Trump's illegal tariffs will never get their money back.