this post was submitted on 26 Feb 2025
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Summary

Donald Trump has announced plans to impose 25% tariffs on the European Union, claiming the bloc was “formed to screw the United States.”

While details are pending, he suggested the levies would target cars and other imports. The EU, a major U.S. trading partner, has vowed immediate retaliation, with potential tariffs impacting $29.3 billion in exports.

French President Emmanuel Macron had attempted to dissuade Trump, urging focus on China instead.

Critics, including economists and conservative media, warn the tariffs could harm the U.S. economy.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 20 hours ago

The EU has an official mechanism to combat economic pressure like this that includes suspension of all intellectual property from the country imposing the tarrifs.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Yes, because the initial tarriff talks went over so well...

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

It did for Mexico and Canada.

They agreed to nothing new, and the terrifs vanished.

It must be like trying to negotiate with a toddler.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I remember John Kerry's election in 2004 was thwarted due in part to the perception that he was flip-flopping around a lot of issues. Trump is constantly making an absolute fool of himself by constantly backing away from shit he said he was going to do.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 hours ago

He has never flip-flopped on his electorate more important issues, like blaming immigrants for every problem on their lives.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Based on an overwhelming amount of economic studies of tariffs in the last 100 years, the EU should ignore it. Why enact tariffs on American goods and make life more expensive for Europeans? Studies show EU businesses will raise prices accordingly. The citizens will be worse off.

However, based on our knowledge of how politicians act, they'll take the bait and retaliate, thus making things more expensive for EU citizens.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 day ago (2 children)

This is what I've been thinking about for Canada's reaction - do nothing! I can't say how it will affect us now and in the immediate future but it seems the damage is already done anyway. BTW. this is my 1st post on Lemmy - thank you!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 hour ago

We didn't do nothing. We announced massive retaliatory tariffs. The do nothing impression came from the fact that they asked for concessions we already offered.

Also, the US is still hitting us with tariffs. Starting March 4, 25% on everything then in April an additional 25% on steel and aluminum.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Maybe not "do nothing" but I like the remove certain products from shelves. Like stop the sale of American alcohol from shelves.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I don't get it. If we do retaliate, the US will have something to gain (back) by removing the tariffs.

I don't know what studies you are referring to (please leave a link) but it seems counterintuitive to not have that bargaining chip to force a quick end to the tarriffs (See US vs Canada 2025, US vs Mexico 2025).

I don't see how one could reasonably measure policies like these through time; of course it's worse in the short term for all involved parties but should resolve the situation faster. If they only measure the time during active tarriffs of course it's better through survivorship bias.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 hours ago (1 children)

Eugster, J., Jaumotte, M. F., MacDonald, M. M., & Piazza, M. R. (2022). The Effect of Tariffs in Global Value Chains. International Monetary Fund.

Furceri, D., Hannan, S. A., Ostry, J. D., & Rose, A. K. (2020). Are tariffs bad for growth? Yes, say five decades of data from 150 countries. Journal of Policy Modeling, 42(4), 850–859. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2020.03.009

Schularick, M., & Solomou, S. (2011). Tariffs and economic growth in the first era of globalization. Journal of Economic Growth, 16(1), 33–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-011-9061-6

York, E. (2018). The Impact of Trade and Tariffs on the United States. Tax Foundation.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 4 hours ago (1 children)

I read the abstract of the two links. The first one just says "tarrifs bad" without even mentioning our discussion above.

The second abstract said they did not find any evidence of "tarrifs good", other factors had greater impact for growth. This is not the same question either.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 hours ago

try reading the entire articles. the question you asked are described in the lit reviews and discussion

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

yeah american tourists are going to have a hard time in the next 50 years.

[–] [email protected] 18 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Studies show the majority of Americans don't have a passport let alone have left their own state. 3rd world country.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

That's unfortunately what happens when people get gaslit into thinking being a debt slave is morally righteous.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Capitalism-lover hates competition. Interesting.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 day ago

Capitalism strives to make money. Competition means profit margins shrink. So yes capitalists are against competition.

That is one of the many reasons listening to companies is not good economic planning for countries.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Ofc the EU was created to screw the USA. Good for them. Nobody wants to be subservient to the paper petrol-dollars of a genocidal empire that's literally destroying the planet for a few ultra privileged man babies.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

"This again? See you next month, Don."

He's like clockwork, but he's more of a fake Rolex.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

The piece of shit saying that was formed to screw the US

[–] [email protected] 27 points 1 day ago (7 children)

Wtf kinda drug are the elite in the US on?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 day ago

Special K if Elon is any indication

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 day ago

Cocaine, I remember hearing about Elon Musk's supplier a while back. Most of the Republican Party is cranked, too, according to a historically young GOP congressman Madison Cawthorn.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 day ago

Money and power the name of that drog

[–] [email protected] 14 points 1 day ago

Ketamine, or so I heard.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 day ago

Russian psy-ops boosted by algos from coked up tech bros.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Capitalism.

Side effects include electing a complete moron and his piss baby groupies to the presidency

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[–] [email protected] 15 points 1 day ago

Putin's puppet

[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 day ago

Fucking do it then, cunt!

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 day ago

Classic aim high and make the second offer seem like a win tactic?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago

Slap 100% tariffs on the bloc of united states, as a courtesy.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (17 children)
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[–] [email protected] 53 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

I'm in the EU and I very much I hope he does, beause the response will be spectacular: apparently there is an Act from 2023 that the EU can respond to this by suspending intellectual property rights of US companies, plus from last time Trump was President the EU learned to target counter-Tariffs for maximum political effect (basically hitting Republican states hardest) and that will also work fine in targetting US companies politically affiliated with Trump (bye, bye, Tesla!).

Also it will definitelly finish off any lingering delusions of European politicians that the US is an "ally".

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[–] [email protected] 37 points 2 days ago

The EU was setup to help protect Europe and enable them to have better control over overly enthusiastic capitalist companies such as those found in the US.

But what do we expect from a low intelligence puppet of Russia?

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