Government meddling in the economy

The U.S. government has meddled in the economy basically since Day One. But recent moves have been extreme and unpredictable.

https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/stock-market-today-tariffs-trade-war-05-23-2025?mod=hp_lead_pos1

Trump Threatens EU With 50% Tariffs, Takes Aim at Apple; Dow Drops

Dollar weakens and bonds rally

The Wall Street Journal, May 23, 2025

LIVE UPDATES

Trump Threatens EU With 50% Tariffs, Takes Aim at Apple; Dow Drops

Dollar weakens and bonds rally

Last Updated:

May 23, 2025 at 10:52 AM EDT

President Trump launched new broadsides in his tariff campaign, threatening to impose a 50% rate on the European Union within days, and warning Apple that foreign-made iPhones could face significant levies.

The fresh threats are aimed at core pillars of global commerce: one of the world’s most valuable companies and one of the U.S.'s biggest trading partners. The initial market response reflected revived fears that tariff policy could knock economic growth… [end quote]

I’m especially disturbed that the president targeted a specific company by name. I don’t own Apple stock or products but I think this just is wrong. Not to mention attacking the EU, one of our most important allies.

Wendy

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This is shocking! Just kidding, it’s not. Here’s the pattern - be an autocratic or corrupt thug who bribes TFG…you’re safe. Be a liberal democracy or stand up CEO opposed to corruption…get attacked. For some reason our “leaders” feel justified lecturing EU countries about freedom, yet they tell the Saudis, "we’re not here to lecture you. Weird and wild stuff, but not surprising.

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Is he trying to be the CEO of the most important companies in the market? Telling them what they can and can’t do. I guess there is only one stakeholder that matters and he doesn’t even own shares.

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He has been threatening specific companies since the first term.

from 2017:

# Trump Threatens Networks Over Coverage

Trump set off alarms among media advocates when he raised the prospect of punishing NBC for “fake” reporting by threatening to revoke the network’s broadcasting license.

https://www.usnews.com/news/ken-walshs-washington/articles/2017-10-12/president-donald-trump-threatens-networks-over-coverage

Typical “JC”. Anyone who challenges his narrative faces consequences.

Steve

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The party of “small government”:

  • Grabbing people off the streets
  • Capping Walmart prices
  • Controlling Amazon on prices
  • Regulating college admissions
  • Passing a historic deficit bill
  • Massive new taxes, especially on the low income
  • Ignoring the Constitution and the Courts
  • Legislating women’s bodies

Did I miss anything?

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Perhaps our leaders haven’t given enough, errm, ‚appreciation‘. As in, a big and beautiful plane.

I‘d say shocking but not unexpected.

But then that is what you collectively wanted and voted for. Regrets? Not that much, at least according to Nate Silver:

So far, it’s been a good week for Donald Trump when it comes to the polls. For starters, the latest InsiderAdvantage survey has him almost 11 points above water. Is that a major outlier? Yes. But that’s not the only new poll. Today’s YouGov/Economist poll showed Trump with a -8 net approval rating — his best result from that survey since April 8th.

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…bellow, break, threaten and blame, get bribe, go back in cave.

It’s all show biz while they destroy the power of the US government.

If we EVER get reasonable legislators again, we must focus on increasing taxes on the super wealthy and their estates to pay for cleaning up this mess.

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You can tariff by country, or by product, not by a specific company. Of course current GOP is completely under the control of Trump, still President alone is not the government. He is only a part of it. But a big part of it, and sets the agenda.

You should view Trump’s outburst as a petulant child not getting what it wanted. Market understands that Trump will eventually chicken out and not reacting seriously. You can play shock-jock, but you need to continue to increase level of shock to keep the audience engaged. I am sure “showman” understands that and is feeling his ability to deliver ever increasing shock is limited.

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Where’s the famous republican outrage at waste and corruption now?

They’ve been mute through everything, as though they agree with it.

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yeah, laughable comparison of prior vs current grift

one is like damp kindling with a wisp of smoke and the other is a metropolis engulfed in flames and explosions

but, you know, whattabout so-and-so

imagine if party labels were reversed?

someone (@steve203 ) made what I think is very wise, maybe exceedingly obvious (forgive me for thinking people really had principles like “free market”) statement: “it’s not the concept of spending, it’s who the spending benefits”

duh on me

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Whataboutism is one of their most popular ploys. “Look over there!” while I destroy your government and get rich doing so.

Nice job if you can get it.

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That lesson was learned, when a second rate actor went on national TV to announce his veto of an appropriation bill, claiming it was a “budget buster”. The reality was the bill appropriated less than he asked for, but did not allocate the money the way he wanted.

Steve

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FYI, I’m not deleting your or anyone else’s posts. Seems when we name names sometimes it triggers a flag.

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The country is being purposely destroyed

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