Buyer Beware... If you're non-American, think twice before purchasing from the US

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Perhaps you don’t have investments or a 401K.
Trading in the first 50 days of this administration is lower than it’s been since the 1950’s.
Starting a global trade war is idiocy.
Even domestic prices will go up, retailers will blame it on tariffs. Globally we are a pariah. There are no winners in this.

The deficit will continue to increase like it always does however.

No, we're in the same boat. We have to live on the RMD's from 401K and SS and live accordingly. Inflation from the past 4 years has trimmed our pockets deeply.

I'm somewhat amazed in the fact that US citizens want to continue to pad other trade partners pockets as we slide in deeper. Other countries have to be laughing into their sox so no one sees their phony indignity at having to level the playing field. They sure have us over the proverbial barrel, don't they?

 

[Rockdiamond]

You love the terminology "ripped off", I prefer have suffered from unequal trade agreements

I far prefer “unequal trade agreements”
If the people in charge used that sort of language it could lead to meaningful negotiations- as we’ve had in the past. There was an agreement in place.
But the people in charge are using the term “Ripping us off”. I didn’t pull that one out of thin air.
How does that language lead to any sort of meaningful dialogue??

 

[HockeyMama]

Is there a list of Canadian sellers somewhere? I want to buy a ring, but only if it’s being shipped within my country. Pre loved is fine too.

I've heard of:
Oliver Jewellery
Van Rijk Jewellery
Cynthia Findlay Fine Jewels

Have not purchased personally from them.
Best of luck!

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

It really feel like so many of our citizens have been lied to and taken the bait hook line and sinker.

Definitely.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I far prefer “unequal trade agreements”
If the people in charge used that sort of language it could lead to meaningful negotiations- as we’ve had in the past. There was an agreement in place.
But the people in charge are using the term “Ripping us off”. I didn’t pull that one out of thin air.
How does that language lead to any sort of meaningful dialogue??

On that note, I totally agree and prefer civility in conversation.

If you are referring to that 5 year old agreement, things have changed as do agreements. That trade deficit needs to be fixed now.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Other countries have to be laughing into their sox so no one sees their phony indignity at having to level the playing field

What countries? What inequity???
How is “laughing in their sox” better than “ripping us off”?
If you’ve traveled internationally you’d understand why I say we’re the richest country in the world. Western Europe comes close but it’s been much easier to make money here than there.
No one’s been taking advantage of us….. at least not to the levels being promoted now. It’s lies

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

The fact is that WE have started a trade war. The “facts” being used to justify this war are not facts at all.
We do not have a crisis of Fentanyl coming over our northern border.
Charts that were used during the announcement of our starting this war were either incredibly misleading or purposefully false.
Virtually EVERY economic expert has warned of the dangers of recession- or even a worldwide depression.
Facts.
We now don’t have to wait years for the bad stuff to happen.
Look at your 401k.
American products are being shunned all over the world.
And even if we suddenly said … oops sorry! The damage is done. We will never be trustworthy again in my lifetime.
No tariffs on Russia!!! Yipee. I wonder why???

For your updated reading pleasure:https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdjl3k1we8vo

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

What countries? What inequity???
How is “laughing in their sox” better than “ripping us off”?
If you’ve traveled internationally you’d understand why I say we’re the richest country in the world. Western Europe comes close but it’s been much easier to make money here than there.
No one’s been taking advantage of us….. at least not to the levels being promoted now. It’s lies

Ah, so the solution is to give away anything more that we have than international countries because we are just rich Americans who have more money to cover our bills than anyone and we aren't printing way too much money because our dollar has sunk in value. We just like the printing process.

What is your answer to this looming deficit and trade mess? I hear a lot of angst but no viable solutions that will make the larger differences than the current suggested changes will make for us. Oh, that's right just tax the rich in the country and we will automatically have $36 trillion plus. https://www.usdebtclock.org/

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

What countries? What inequity???
How is “laughing in their sox” better than “ripping us off”?
If you’ve traveled internationally you’d understand why I say we’re the richest country in the world. Western Europe comes close but it’s been much easier to make money here than there.
No one’s been taking advantage of us….. at least not to the levels being promoted now. It’s lies

It's much better than "ripping us off". We have lost so many American soldiers to wars that weren't even ours to save those countries. That's seldom remembered anymore but the fact that we now want and need fair trade agreements is met with haughtiness, indignity and anger. Why aren't those citizens questioning their countries as to why they refuse to treat the USA fairly? Why are those countries putting their citizens in a mess by not agreeing to equity?

 

[Bonfire]

Inflation from the past 4 years has trimmed our pockets deeply.

Well buckle up then because domestic prices will sky rocket! Gas prices in our area spiked 15% overnight just in anticipation of the “Liberation Day” announcement, Even though most of our oil is domestically produced and not subject to tariffs. A full blown recession is next. Economic suicide.

 

[Roselina]

This is real, right? If so, it's really helpful. I don't necessarily understand everything about tarriffs, but this *looks to me* like we (the US) are starting to levy tariffs on places where we didn't have them before, but that those places already had levied them on goods from the US. So honestly this seems kind of like common sense to me. Am I missing something?

The thing is, the calculation for most (I can only speak for one or two right now) — if not all — countries is wrong (like saying 1+1=3). Compared to the one who started this mess, Pippi Longstocking might as well be a math genius. No good times ahead.

 

[lovedogs]

The thing is, the calculation for most (I can only speak for one or two right now) — if not all — countries is wrong (like saying 1+1=3). Compared to the one who started this mess, Pippi Longstocking might as well be a math genius. No good times ahead.

Thanks. Is there somewhwre to see the accurate numbers?

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Well buckle up then because domestic prices will sky rocket! A full blown recession is next. Economic suicide.

We have buckled up, economic roulette in this country started long before this request for equal trade. Good luck to all of us.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

The thing is, the calculation for most (I can only speak for one or two right now) — if not all — countries is wrong (like saying 1+1=3). Compared to the one who started this mess, Pippi Longstocking might as well be a math genius. No good times ahead.

This mess has been ongoing for longer than that. We are just forced to look at what has happened to the USA's budget now.

 

[Rockdiamond]

@Sunrises Sunsets can we agree that neither of us is an economist? Neither is an expert.
We’re both basing our arguments on a things we’ve read or heard.
My life here in the US has been heavenly. Amazing.
I know I have many advantages that other Americans do not. But living in NYC has been living at the top of the world. If we’re getting taken advantage of, I can’t see it.
The national debt might be a real issue. I honestly don’t know and neither do you. Maybe if we left things as they were growth would have corrected the situation.
But I know Canada is our friend. Or was.
I know that breaking agreement as opposed to re-negotiating them is wrong. We are wrong.
If the things I believe are true we’re beyond screwed. Unfixable.
If the things you believe are correct the US will see a golden age sometime in the future.
Problem for me and many of us is that the screwed part happens right now.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Thanks. Is there somewhwre to see the accurate numbers?

I don’t believe there is right now.
Many people believe that this is all a way to transfer more wealth to the oligarchs.
You think a billionaire cares if we have to pay 25% more for everything we buy?
But those in power will reduce taxes for the billionaires while the rest of us bear the burden with the new taxes being imposed on the bulk of us. Let’s just call them tariffs!!! Taxes has such a negative connotation. Tariff sounds so much better

 

[Roselina]

Thanks. Is there somewhwre to see the accurate numbers?

Probably not all at once. I can only speak for my country where there was a press conference about the topic today.

 

[Roselina]

This mess has been ongoing for longer than that. We are just forced to look at what has happened to the USA's budget now.

I agree - but here I was only referring to the newest developments concerning the tariffs.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I agree - but here I was only referring to the newest developments concerning the tariffs.

I do wonder how many know how much China has infiltrated other countries in an effort to avoid control over their trade practices. It's a large list and here are a few of them: Canada, Mexico, Vietnam, India...

So if we're being the wealthiest country in the world, which seems to be a sin, and China can overtake us, I have a question. How generous, invested in the issues in the world and safe will everyone feel with China at the helm?

 

[Rockdiamond]

How generous, invested in the issues in the world and safe will everyone feel with China at the helm?

We’re about to find out. Every single thing the US is doing right now could have been written by the head of the Chinese Communist party. We’re handing them every advantage we ever had. On a silver platter.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

Thanks. Is there somewhwre to see the accurate numbers?

Apparently, there is difficulty in that request due to the insidious amounts that are also included but not declared as a "tariffs or VATS". But we pay the price at the bottom line.

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

We’re about to find out. Every single thing the US is doing right now could have been written by the head of the Chinese Communist party. We’re handing them every advantage we ever had. On a silver platter.

I think that is nonsense. You are playing into it because you support everyone but the USA. The solution is there but other countries , even though they know the diagnosis of the problem is correct, refuse to amend the issue.

 

[lovedogs]

Probably not all at once. I can only speak for my country where there was a press conference about the topic today.

Can you share what was said in your country? If not i totally get it!

 

[Texas Leaguer]

Do you think that perhaps all the hysterical dialog disguises the sense of it all? I wonder what would happen if the citizens of the USA in one voice would back the premise of equal trade and whether the countries with the upper trade hand would reconsider?

The French president just put out a statement that our President's diagnosis of the trade problem was correct. However, our President shouldn't use tariffs to fix it. Huh? Why not agree to the balance of equal trade and, therefore, eliminate the tariffs immediately!! Political posturing to appease his people comes to mind. Rather than a trade correction, he's bragging on how they will install even more tariffs rather than quickly fix the problem.

Can you imagine discussions with each of these separate nations for trade parity and the time lost with no incentive for them to change their policies?

I think your understanding of a trade imbalance and "parity" is flawed. Let's pretend Rockdiamond and I are doing business and he is buying some things from me and I am buying some things from him. If I happen to buy alot more from him than he does from me we have a trade imbalance. But if we are both getting getting the products we need and making sales as well, there is no problem. It's all good. If either of us are unhappy with the arrangment, we negotiate. We don't threaten or punish each other. Healthy relationships are based on mutual respect and trust.

We have been working with our global trading partners for decades and negotiation is a constant component of those dynamics. Interestingly, in 2020 the North American Free Trade Agreement between US, Canada, and Mexico was successfully renegotiated. I'll let you guess who took full credit and crowed that it was the greatest deal ever made. What has changed in 5 years? Where is the evidence of that change? And if there is evidence, is it sufficient to blow up decades of mutually beneficial trade and make an enemy of a neighbor? Or would it be better to let our diplomats work things out to find a win/win solution and keep our partnership intact?

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I don’t believe there is right now.
Many people believe that this is all a way to transfer more wealth to the oligarchs.
You think a billionaire cares if we have to pay 25% more for everything we buy?
But those in power will reduce taxes for the billionaires while the rest of us bear the burden with the new taxes being imposed on the bulk of us. Let’s just call them tariffs!!! Taxes has such a negative connotation. Tariff sounds so much better

Yes, our country would be so much better off with idiots roaming the streets and no brilliant entrepreneurs, we should all be in rags.

Apparently, oligarchs translates to those who have more money than you. You are including those in the entertainment business who use their money unto that purpose?

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

I think your understanding of a trade imbalance and "parity" is flawed. Let's pretend Rockdiamond and I are doing business and he is buying some things from me and I am buying some things from him. If I happen to buy alot more from him than he does from me we have a trade imbalance. But if we are both getting getting the products we need and making sales as well, there is no problem. It's all good. If either of us are unhappy with the arrangment, we negotiate. We don't threaten or punish each other. Healthy relationships are based on mutual respect and trust.

We have been working with our global trading partners for decades and negotiation is a constant component of those dynamics. Interestingly, in 2020 the North American Free Trade Agreement between US, Canada, and Mexico was successfully renegotiated. I'll let you guess who took full credit and crowed that it was the greatest deal ever made. What has changed in 5 years? Where is the evidence of that change? And if there is evidence, is it sufficient to blow up decades of mutually beneficial trade and make an enemy of a neighbor? Or would it be better to let our diplomats work things out to find a win/win solution and keep our partnership intact?

There were also amendments to the constitution after it was signed, should we remove those? How dare they correct and refine an agreement that worked for us 5 years ago and since then has deteriorated. I've seen your business put new sales guidelines in effect after other guidelines were dropped. Wise business decisions on your part.

So while you and Rock Diamond were performing those trades, you were charged tariffs and VATS and you both thought that was fine.

The mention and alerts that were posted about those tariffs allowing any country before they were installed, to negotiate with the USA for reconsideration.

About the crowing, I could do without that but good decisions are being produced to make the USA healthy again. As I stated earlier, where are the other countries when it comes to stopping the tariffs when they know we are being used?

 

[Rockdiamond]

You are playing into it because you support everyone but the USA.

So sad.
I love my country. Criticizing it when it makes a mistake is a patriotic duty.
I can totally understand what you wrote because it really feels to me like people who are blindly buying into what's going on are not supporting the country I love.
The moves we are making benefit China. Full stop.
Canada will look to China instead of the US. So many other countries will too.
It's like we're pushing them into China's orbit.
China is so thrilled with what we're doing........this seems so clear to me.

 

[Rockdiamond]

David, I appreciate you talking about the jewelry business. I have been wondering how the popularity of lab diamonds is affecting jewelers since there must be much less profit in those especially since prices have so drastically declined. Most young people can't afford much in natural diamonds (although those also appear to be declining in price), and they see people on social media are showing off these elaborate rings, and they are likely all lab. Then if tariffs are added to all the imported jewelry and diamonds and the price of gold stays extremely high, I really do fear for the jewelers as fewer people can justify buying luxury items at today's prices.

I think the advent of 401ks is what ended most pensions (other than government type jobs). It was good for the people who had no pensions, but many or most businesses which offered pensions gradually ended them in favor of 401ks.

It's totally a mixed bag- lab diamonds.
For us, it's been a godsend. We now sell mostly colorless diamonds- lab diamonds. Yes, lots of young people buying 2 and 3 carat rocks....its fun!!
We have low expenses and a popular website.
I'm getting oooold....so the lessening of sales dollars overall isn't really an issue for us.
But for sure the entire business has been hollowed out. Companies with big offices and large staffs......screwed. Mid size companies are suffering......many going out of business.
The largest firms shrug it off. They have so much money, it's just a bump in the road.
About the retirement thing.....it wasn't just a pension.
At M Fabrikant and Sons, when I worked there, we had profit sharing. People made money

 

[Sunrises Sunsets]

So sad.
I love my country. Criticizing it when it makes a mistake is a patriotic duty.
I can totally understand what you wrote because it really feels to me like people who are blindly buying into what's going on are not supporting the country I love.
The moves we are making benefit China. Full stop.
Canada will look to China instead of the US. So many other countries will too.
It's like we're pushing them into China's orbit.
China is so thrilled with what we're doing........this seems so clear to me.

The country has made a mistake in YOUR eyes. For the past four years as bad as it was and ended, and it was bad, I always upheld our country. I had issues with so much that happened then but never put such diatribe for my country out there.

Canada will look to China instead of the USA, lol. Per AI:

"While it's difficult to pinpoint an exact number of Chinese-owned companies in Canada, it's estimated that there are hundreds of Chinese-owned companies operating in various industries across the country, with a focus on strategic sectors like energy and mining. "

Canada can just shop locally. The USA has about 5,000 Chinese-owned companies as of 2022. The Chinese have infiltrated all over the world and that is why the financial strength of the USA is so important.

I wouldn't accuse you of blindly buying into your perspective. You just need more perspective.

 

[Rockdiamond]

We're only speaking of policies.
THIS policy will hurt us. Right now.
The last 4 years were quite nice in so many ways....I don't really understand when people say it was so bad.
We're pushing countries into China's hands..isn't that pretty clear?