What does a TRUMP presidency look like?

[Zanza]

To the surprise of no one, the White House and the European Commission posted different summaries of what was agreed between vdL and Trump. Also, unlike the US which seems to ignore its constitution when it comes to setting tariffs, the EU does not and vdL is not empowered to conclude legally binding agreements. That needs a properly ratified treaty.

[crazy canuck]

To the surprise of no one, the White House and the European Commission posted different summaries of what was agreed between vdL and Trump. Also, unlike the US which seems to ignore its constitution when it comes to setting tariffs, the EU does not and vdL is not empowered to conclude legally binding agreements. That needs a properly ratified treaty.

Yeah, it's pretty clear the Trump administration was looking for a quick out so that it would not have to impose the tariffs, and that was also in the interests of the EU.  It does not matter that the agreement was not binding.

[viper37]

Another bizarre rant from Trump on Epstein

"I told him, I said, listen, we don't want you taking our people, whether it was spa or not spa. I don't want him taking people. And he was fine. And then, not too long after that, he did it again. And I said, out of here," he said, describing Epstein as having "stolen" his spa workers.

Asked point blank if one of them was Giuffre, who died aged 41 by suicide earlier this year, he replied: "I think she worked at the spa. I think so. I think that was one of the people."

"I don't know. I think she worked at the spa. I think so. I think that was one of the people, yeah, he stole her," Trump added. "And by the way, she had no complaints about us, as you know, none whatsoever."

Underage girl working at his spa, she gets stolen, not the first time, but not much happens with Epstein?  Hmm.  So weird Don! 

[Tamas]

To the surprise of no one, the White House and the European Commission posted different summaries of what was agreed between vdL and Trump. Also, unlike the US which seems to ignore its constitution when it comes to setting tariffs, the EU does not and vdL is not empowered to conclude legally binding agreements. That needs a properly ratified treaty.

Yeah, it's pretty clear the Trump administration was looking for a quick out so that it would not have to impose the tariffs, and that was also in the interests of the EU.  It does not matter that the agreement was not binding.

Back a few months ago, in the early days of this madness, I am pretty sure Vance and the other cabinet members were trying to hint this to Europeans and others - go along, humiliate yourself, he'll forget about it in no time, don't worry nothing will happen. I mean, it's the approach that landed them their careers, so I guess they must struggle why other people with spines can't just do this.

[Josquius]

To the surprise of no one, the White House and the European Commission posted different summaries of what was agreed between vdL and Trump. Also, unlike the US which seems to ignore its constitution when it comes to setting tariffs, the EU does not and vdL is not empowered to conclude legally binding agreements. That needs a properly ratified treaty.

I wonder if this explains the differing reactions I've seen.
Some have been going on about how Europe surrendered and got crushed for no reason....
... When looking at things it seems pretty reasonable, largely what Europe was doing anyway, plus the tariff which is up to America.

[Zanza]

The EU did not really get anything out of the deal as Trump's unpredictable temper does not guarantee stability. And that's the only potential upside of this deal. Everything looks like Europe kowtowing to the bully.

[The Minsky Moment]

The Federal Circuit is hearing arguments tomorrow on the constitutionality of the "reciprocal" tariffs imposed by executive order.  There is a lot of unavoidable uncertainty swirling about US policy.

[The Brain]

Countries don't have mood swings and ignorant stupidity, only interests. US interests are weird though ngl.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

Countries may not, but the petty dictators (actual or wannabe) running them do.

[Crazy_Ivan80]

The EU did not really get anything out of the deal as Trump's unpredictable temper does not guarantee stability. And that's the only potential upside of this deal. Everything looks like Europe kowtowing to the bully.

that's the price for playing 'balls of light' the last 30 years. We've got lots of angry letters to send, wagging fingers to wag but not much of stick to twack the bullies with.
And unless the commission rolls out a real plan to first stabilize and then save our industries (i.e. get rid of the green deal and the ridiculously high energy prices compared to our competitors. The environment will be saved by lots of industry with cheap energy, not any other way) we won't be building a stick any time soon. Or it would be an actual stick, out of wood.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Trump has exempted refined copper from his tariffs. The price of copper has promptly fallen by 20% and there is a large stockpile in the USA, built up prior to tariffs being imposed, which may be re-exported at a loss or stored (also at some expense).

https://www.mining.com/copper-price-collapses-by-20-as-us-excludes-refined-metal-from-tariffs/

[Admiral Yi]

Fortunes being made and lost on the futures markets.

[Sheilbh]

The EU did not really get anything out of the deal as Trump's unpredictable temper does not guarantee stability. And that's the only potential upside of this deal. Everything looks like Europe kowtowing to the bully.

I think the other side of why this is negative is it's the new baseline for any future administration on trade with the US. A future US President could use the EU lowering tariffs as a "win" to sell lowering US tariffs - but with this deal that's not there.

I think that's one of the reasons I suspect Trump's policy here - and more protectionist approach in general - will have become bipartisan consensus by 2029.

[The Minsky Moment]

Fortunes being made and lost on the futures markets.

If only there was some way to know what Trump was doing before he did it . . .

[Josquius]

The EU did not really get anything out of the deal as Trump's unpredictable temper does not guarantee stability. And that's the only potential upside of this deal. Everything looks like Europe kowtowing to the bully.

But they gave nothing away either right?
Less kowtowing to the bully and more giving in and letting your kid watch 30 mins of TV (so you can have a lie down)