Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
BS1000 exposes himself as a typical right-wing stooge. In other news, the sky is blue.
1) Tariffs will help destroy international relations, cause inflationary issues and cloud visibility for US corporations. Its an indefensible policy move, with indiscriminate punishments issued by a grouchy child.
2) Dump will help himself and various criminals the world over by promoting cryptocurrency. A criminal helping criminals...all operating in plain sight.
3) US citizens are whisked away by masked gunmen like we live in a 3rd world country.
4) The Epstein relationship will hang over his orange head. But the loyalists will stay silent like sheep.
In any decline, those at the bottom always take it worst of all. Many of them voted for this, thinking this would be their big chance to get out of their rut. They will get crushed economically. I'd also assume that a lot of older Trump voters will get hit hard as labor conditions continue to deteriorate. Lots of forced early retirements are coming their way.
I wonder if any of them will comprehend how they screwed up their lives and futures? Probably not. Doubtful that Elon Musk realizes how badly he screwed Tesla, either.
Donnie boy is acting like he holds all the cards, but the aftershocks and ramifications of his protectionist policies will reverberate for a very long time. Once new trade relationships are formed without and around us, the cheese will stand alone.
Auto Industry Takes $12 Billion Hit From Trade War
"President Trump’s tariff war has inflicted almost $12 billion of losses on global automakers, the biggest hit they have faced since the pandemic. The scary reality: This may be just the beginning."
"For the world’s 10 largest automakers, not including those in China, net profit is currently forecast to fall by roughly a quarter this calendar year to its lowest level since 2020, when the pandemic led to cash-draining factory shutdowns."
U.S. Manufacturing Activity Contracted From March To July
“From March to July, U.S. manufacturing activity contracted, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s monthly survey. The Manufacturing PMI last registered at 48, below the 50 score that differentiates growth and decline.”
“Tom Derry, ISM’s CEO, says Trump’s tariffs are already weighing on manufacturers that can’t pass on the additional cost to their buyers, or U.S. consumers.”
“A few investments and pledges aimed at beefing up domestic manufacturing appear timed to appease the president, and may or may not come to fruition. The latest is from Apple, which is planning to commit an additional $100 billion to the U.S., after saying in February it would spend more than $500 billion in the country over four years to make servers and parts for its key products.”
“Even if some firms do reshore production, how fast that can be achieved is in question. Manufacturers might struggle to find the American workers they need, and new facilities might face higher prices for steel, copper and aluminum, all of which Trump has tariffed.”
Metric Change Total Visitors −11.3% Convention Attend. −10.7% Hotel Occupancy Rate −6.5 Air Travelers (Harry Reid Airport) −6.3% Traffic from California (I-15) −4.3% International Arrivals −9.8% Gambling proceeds casinos +3% (so/called high roller degenerates still spending and losing)
Real estate, stocks and crypto at all times highs and recession numbers for visitors to Vegas?? Shouldn’t they be up 5%? Don’t need to worry about tip taxes if Canadians don’t show up… But tariffs are so good …
In any decline, those at the bottom always take it worst of all. Many of them voted for this, thinking this would be their big chance to get out of their rut. They will get crushed economically. I'd also assume that a lot of older Trump voters will get hit hard as labor conditions continue to deteriorate. Lots of forced early retirements are coming their way.
I wonder if any of them will comprehend how they screwed up their lives and futures? Probably not. Doubtful that Elon Musk realizes how badly he screwed Tesla, either.
Donnie boy is acting like he holds all the cards, but the aftershocks and ramifications of his protectionist policies will reverberate for a very long time. Once new trade relationships are formed without and around us, the cheese will stand alone.
My sentiments exactly ... very well-said. (((
My take is that if a person voted for this and later gets burned for it, c'est la vie. As the popular saying goes, 'FAFO' -- they F'd around during the '24 campaign, now they can Find Out. The warning signs, alerts, and documented plans, were all there in the public for everyone to see if they only cared enough to look and not simply bask in the spectacle thinking the good times would keep on rockin' under Donnie Boy's Carnie Barker Roadshow Part 2.
Auto Industry Takes $12 Billion Hit From Trade War
"President Trump’s tariff war has inflicted almost $12 billion of losses on global automakers, the biggest hit they have faced since the pandemic. The scary reality: This may be just the beginning."
"For the world’s 10 largest automakers, not including those in China, net profit is currently forecast to fall by roughly a quarter this calendar year to its lowest level since 2020, when the pandemic led to cash-draining factory shutdowns."
...
The very people and sector that were promised a leg up, instead will be getting a boot to the head. Predominantly in Trump country.
"The majority of automotive manufacturing facilities in the US are in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana - home to a large number of American assembly plants and parts suppliers. States like Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi for foreign automakers and their suppliers.
May I recommend a few such tutors? People who have truly mastered that particular art form? JD Vance? Bessent, Bondi, Hegseth? Most of SCOTUS? These are true masters of supplication. They can demonstrate perfect lip placement and moisture control. Just the right amount of obsequity to massage the neediest of egos. Artists, all of them.
"The majority of automotive manufacturing facilities in the US are in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana - home to a large number of American assembly plants and parts suppliers. States like Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi for foreign automakers and their suppliers.
Some of those same (latter) states will also be hit by the renewables credit termination. Meanwhile, China reached its 2030 goal for renewable capacity toward the end of last year and is accelerating the buildout. The U.S. is a surrender monkey under the batshit crazy mob we have running things.
I forgot about CBS. The can teach a master class in the butt smooch. They put the BS in CBS. Maybe they can replace the CBS 'eye' with a pair of supple lips?
"The majority of automotive manufacturing facilities in the US are in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana - home to a large number of American assembly plants and parts suppliers. States like Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi for foreign automakers and their suppliers.
Some of those same (latter) states will also be hit by the renewables credit termination. Meanwhile, China reached its 2030 goal for renewable capacity toward the end of last year and is accelerating the buildout. The U.S. is a surrender monkey under the batshit crazy mob we have running things.
This is a really important point. Renewable energy is the future. China, and others are poised to reap a whirlwind in this arena, serving the worlds demand. While we sit by fondling our ... ahem, coal.
Florida actually is now leading the U.S. in solar adoption, but without federal support, that may soon be over. Another nascent industry coming apart at the seams.
Also: we don't have the luxury anymore of endless time to outrun total catastrophe, like we would have had 30-40 years ago when we knew what was happening, so any obstacle is a problem.
Plus, there are major actors for whom the price differential doesn't matter, e.g., supposedly regulated utilities that operate on essentially cost-plus contracts with their customers. The incentive is to build expensively so a given allowed profit margin brings in more dollars, for the benefit mainly of execs and shareholders. It makes new rate hikes a regular feature of ratepayers' lives. The only way for customers to get around additional hikes is to put in home solar, but knocking out the credits makes that a bridge too far for many folks.
My state's main utility is doing exactly what you'd think they'd do, extending the life of one of the dirtiest coal-fired plants in the nation and building a massive new, super-costly and polluting methane-burning plant instead of diversifying into renewables and storage. The regulatory body is utterly captured, to the max since the R legislature super-gerrymandered the commissioners' electoral districts, session before last.
"But if so, the latest tariffs won’t incentivize them to keep adding to their U.S. operations. If anything, the incentive will be to make just enough U.S. investment to appease politicians, then import whatever else is needed, especially considering the substantially higher cost of manufacturing in the U.S."
"It is also notable that much of what Apple is doing was already in progress before the tariff threat. Chief Executive Tim Cook said in 2022 during a joint press conference with President Joe Biden that Apple would use TSMC’s Arizona chips."
The lesson here is to not speak truth to power, but feed them what they want to hear. Of course, that is a recipe for disaster in most situations, but now necessary for survival - subterfuge and ego stroking.
With respect to speaking truth to power, I don't have the slightest doubt that government contractors such as Palantir are watching every aspect of internet commentary that they can, and making "enemies" lists of every "disrespect" to Trump and his henchmen.
And I suspect that a fair number of MFO members are on those lists, for "action" when the day finally comes.
Fear and intimidation are strong tools, but usually reserved for dictatorships.
The US Govt is now our (own) biggest bully. A litigious president that sues everybody in sight, plus has both the Supreme Court and the DOJ at his disposal.
Fear and intimidation are strong tools, but usually reserved for dictatorships.
The US Govt is now our (own) biggest bully. A litigious president that sues everybody in sight, plus has both the Supreme Court and the DOJ at his disposal.
Comments
1) Tariffs will help destroy international relations, cause inflationary issues and cloud visibility for US corporations. Its an indefensible policy move, with indiscriminate punishments issued by a grouchy child.
2) Dump will help himself and various criminals the world over by promoting cryptocurrency. A criminal helping criminals...all operating in plain sight.
3) US citizens are whisked away by masked gunmen like we live in a 3rd world country.
4) The Epstein relationship will hang over his orange head. But the loyalists will stay silent like sheep.
We're coming closer and closer each and every day. I despair of living long enough to see this repaired.
I wonder if any of them will comprehend how they screwed up their lives and futures? Probably not. Doubtful that Elon Musk realizes how badly he screwed Tesla, either.
Donnie boy is acting like he holds all the cards, but the aftershocks and ramifications of his protectionist policies will reverberate for a very long time. Once new trade relationships are formed without and around us, the cheese will stand alone.
"President Trump’s tariff war has inflicted almost $12 billion of losses on global automakers,
the biggest hit they have faced since the pandemic.
The scary reality: This may be just the beginning."
"For the world’s 10 largest automakers, not including those in China,
net profit is currently forecast to fall by roughly a quarter this calendar year
to its lowest level since 2020, when the pandemic led to cash-draining factory shutdowns."
https://msn.com/en-us/autos/electric-cars/auto-industry-takes-12-billion-hit-from-trade-war/ar-AA1K4ODX
“From March to July, U.S. manufacturing activity contracted,
according to the Institute for Supply Management’s monthly survey.
The Manufacturing PMI last registered at 48, below the 50 score that differentiates growth and decline.”
“Tom Derry, ISM’s CEO, says Trump’s tariffs are already weighing on manufacturers
that can’t pass on the additional cost to their buyers, or U.S. consumers.”
“A few investments and pledges aimed at beefing up domestic manufacturing
appear timed to appease the president, and may or may not come to fruition.
The latest is from Apple, which is planning to commit an additional $100 billion to the U.S.,
after saying in February it would spend more than $500 billion in the country
over four years to make servers and parts for its key products.”
“Even if some firms do reshore production, how fast that can be achieved is in question.
Manufacturers might struggle to find the American workers they need, and new facilities
might face higher prices for steel, copper and aluminum, all of which Trump has tariffed.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/trump-pledged-to-bring-back-manufacturing-the-sector-is-sputtering/ar-AA1K3b8F
Metric Change
Total Visitors −11.3%
Convention Attend. −10.7%
Hotel Occupancy Rate −6.5
Air Travelers (Harry Reid Airport) −6.3%
Traffic from California (I-15) −4.3%
International Arrivals −9.8%
Gambling proceeds casinos +3% (so/called high roller degenerates still spending and losing)
Real estate, stocks and crypto at all times highs and recession numbers for visitors to Vegas?? Shouldn’t they be up 5%? Don’t need to worry about tip taxes if Canadians don’t show up…
But tariffs are so good …
My take is that if a person voted for this and later gets burned for it, c'est la vie. As the popular saying goes, 'FAFO' -- they F'd around during the '24 campaign, now they can Find Out. The warning signs, alerts, and documented plans, were all there in the public for everyone to see if they only cared enough to look and not simply bask in the spectacle thinking the good times would keep on rockin' under Donnie Boy's Carnie Barker Roadshow Part 2.
"The majority of automotive manufacturing facilities in the US are in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana - home to a large number of American assembly plants and parts suppliers. States like Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi for foreign automakers and their suppliers.
How about this electronic b-kiss version shown on Colbert last night?
Florida actually is now leading the U.S. in solar adoption, but without federal support, that may soon be over. Another nascent industry coming apart at the seams.
Plus, there are major actors for whom the price differential doesn't matter, e.g., supposedly regulated utilities that operate on essentially cost-plus contracts with their customers. The incentive is to build expensively so a given allowed profit margin brings in more dollars, for the benefit mainly of execs and shareholders. It makes new rate hikes a regular feature of ratepayers' lives. The only way for customers to get around additional hikes is to put in home solar, but knocking out the credits makes that a bridge too far for many folks.
My state's main utility is doing exactly what you'd think they'd do, extending the life of one of the dirtiest coal-fired plants in the nation and building a massive new, super-costly and polluting methane-burning plant instead of diversifying into renewables and storage. The regulatory body is utterly captured, to the max since the R legislature super-gerrymandered the commissioners' electoral districts, session before last.
If anything, the incentive will be to make just enough U.S. investment to appease politicians,
then import whatever else is needed, especially considering the substantially higher cost
of manufacturing in the U.S."
"It is also notable that much of what Apple is doing was already in progress before the tariff threat.
Chief Executive Tim Cook said in 2022 during a joint press conference with President Joe Biden
that Apple would use TSMC’s Arizona chips."
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/economy/trump-s-tariffs-won-t-solve-u-s-chip-making-dilemma/ar-AA1Kfkiq
And I suspect that a fair number of MFO members are on those lists, for "action" when the day finally comes.
ALSO, this:
TACO: China.
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/11/trump-china-tariffs-deadline-extended.html
The US Govt is now our (own) biggest bully. A litigious president that sues everybody in sight, plus has both the Supreme Court and the DOJ at his disposal.
Tariffs were just the start of the nightmare.