Canada, Greenland, Mexico, etc - USA Tariffs / Trade War commencing March 2025 #4

[SouthAussie]

Billionaire Elon Musk told Italy League leader Matteo Salvini on Saturday that he hoped in the future the U.S. and Europe could create “a very close, stronger partnership” and reach a “zero-tariff zone.”

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China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun posted on his Facebook page a screen showing the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq all declining by more than 5% on Friday, with the commentary, “The market has spoken.”

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China on Saturday night heaped more criticism on the U.S. tariffs, saying they had “seriously infringed upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, seriously violated the rules of the World Trade Organization, seriously damaged the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely impacted the stability of the global economic order.”

It said China would continue to promote “high-level opening-up” rather than closing its economy with even higher tariffs.

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The British maker of Jaguar and Land Rover cars is pausing shipments to the U.S. as it works to mitigate the impact of a 25% tax on vehicle imports imposed by the Trump administration.

The Latest: Elon Musk says he hopes for zero tariffs with Europe someday

U.S. President Donald Trump’s big raise in tariffs has triggered an escalating trade war and sent global markets plummeting.

apnews.com

 

[musicaljoke]

Trump. who 's claim to fame is 'he was the dumbest student I ever had... is up against some disciplined thinkers.. Claudia Sheinbaum , Mexico's El Presidente, is an environmental engineer, She was one of the scientists and policymakers who shared the 2007 Nobel Prize for Peace for their work on the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

and Mark Carney. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University in 1988, then studied at the University of Oxford, where he earned a master's degree in 1993 and a doctorate in 1995.

And one must include Keir Starmer , a Knight of the realm, SIr Kier Starmer. British PM, Starmer graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Leeds in 1985 and gained a postgraduate Bachelor of Civil Law degree at St Edmund Hall at the University of Oxford in 1986. He became a barrister in 1987 at the Middle Temple, becoming a bencher there in 2009.

And darling Emanuel Macron. of France .. Macron studied philosophy at Paris Nanterre University. He completed a master's degree in public affairs at Sciences Po and graduated from the École nationale d'administration in 2004. He worked as a senior civil servant at the Inspectorate General of Finances and investment banker at Rothschild & Co.

and so on...........Pedro Sanchez... of Spain...In 2012, Pedro Sánchez received his Doctorate in Economics from Camilo José Cela University, where he lectured in economics.

and Lawrence Wong, Singapore.... Wong pursued higher education in the United States, first at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics (1994), and then at the University of Michigan, where he earned a master’s degree in applied economics (1995). A decade later he completed a master’s in public administration at Harvard University (2004) ( Lawrence is a particular favorite of mine.. he is a superb administrator. ) .

I had to laugh when Trump suggested that Wayne Gretzky would win the election if he ran for Canadian Prime Minister. Beside the fact that Canadians don't vote for the position of Prime Minister, I'm certain that Canadians are not foolish enough to vote in a hockey player instead of a politician for their party leaders. But it shows that Trump doesn't understand the training, knowledge and experience required for a political leader.

However, I suppose a hockey player would "give it 110%". Heh!

Donald Trump urges Wayne Gretzky to run for prime minister in meeting

U.S. president-elect Donald Trump says he told Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky during a Christmas Day visit that he should run for prime minister of Canada.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[Vern]

Well, quite. If one can believe the Grauniad (debateable), the problem arose because she did not have the correct visa to enter Canada so was bounced back to the US and only then came to the notice of US immigration/border officials.

I suspect the issue is that some of the arrangements, such as Workaway or WWOOF, under which people enter countries are somewhat ambiguous in terms of what they actually are. The individual is offering services for payment in kind rather than in cash so it would appear to qualify as work. I would imagine that many people participating in these arrangements are on dodgy ground in some countries but usually get away with it - until they don't and it hits the news.

I guess everyone on visitors visas had best stop helping cleaning up around the house, doing laundry, cooking or helping with the gardening while they're down there visiting relatives etc.

ICE just needs any excuse to manufacture up an 'exportation' these days.

Moral of the story is: KEEP AWAY from visiting the United States - exactly as detailed in the article.

IMO.

 

[musicaljoke]

Mrs T is a very loyal wife.

Given the abuse that T dishes out on his own people, and given his obvious unfaithfulness, I believe that Mrs T has some difficult things to endure.

 

[sds71]

(Bloomberg) — Danish shipping powerhouse A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S purchased a railway linking ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, undermining the US’s presence along a key trade route where Donald Trump is trying to elbow out competitors.

“The sale of this non-core asset creates value for our shareholders and reflects our commitment to optimize our assets as we focus on growing our core North American rail business through our rivaled three-nation network connecting Canada, the US and Mexico,” CPKC CEO Keith Creel said in a statement.

The Calgary-based company, which operates routes across North America, didn’t disclose how much it received for the sale of the 47-mile (76-km) railway running along the waterway that links the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.

Denmark's Maersk Buys Panama Canal Railway Despite Trump Threat

Danish shipping powerhouse A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S purchased a railway linking ports at both ends of the Panama Canal, undermining the US’s presence along a key trad…

financialpost.com

 

[Lyanna]

They could go to Disneyland, Paris... ( which is cleaner and more interesting than Orlando Disneyland , better maintained than Anaheim Disneyland ) sure, it's a bit of a crank now the Brits are not in the EU and have to endure the queue for 'foreigners' meanwhile watching in maximum envy as EU travelers skip thru in 4 minutes, but it's a lot better than spending 19 days in an ICE prison, for having a comment on your phone that Trump is a dill. I saw the menu that British lady had to eat when she was imprisoned for 19 days, cold potato and beans... dear God, the horror. And that was breakfast.. dinner was beans and cold potato.

Disney land Paris was brilliant. Took the kiddos in our family 3 times, they loved it each time. Was so much cheaper than travelling to America including an overnight stay in London the night before and the night after 7 days at Disney Land, Disney Resort Hotels, fast passes and a meal with Mickey and Friends.
Added advantage, you have Paris to explore if needing a break from the theme park, and WHO doesn't want to spend time in Paris! Was only about 30 mins or so from station by Disneyland into Paris on the RER. It's a beautiful city with a fascinating history. Moo

 

[sds71]

The federal government has quietly updated its online travel advice to remind Canadians to "expect scrutiny" from border patrol officers if they travel to the United States.

A website with official advice for travellers heading south was updated with a paragraph about the "significant" discretion officers have when it comes to deciding who enters their country — including the power to search phones and laptops.

"U.S. authorities strictly enforce entry requirements. Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices. Comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities. If you are denied entry, you could be detained while awaiting deportation," the website now reads

Agents with U.S. Border Patrol have long had the power to ask to search travellers' belongings, but the Canadian government updated its online guidance to include the extra warning this week — a change that comes as the nations' long-friendly relationship breaks down under the pressure of the Trump administration's war on trade.

An immigration lawyer and a privacy lawyer said travellers who are concerned about their privacy should understand border patrol officers' powers and decide how much risk they're comfortable taking before they leave home. Two of the experts suggested travelling with a burner phone and leaving their actual phones at home.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-us-border-phone-search-1.7502829

 

[SouthAussie]

The federal government has quietly updated its online travel advice to remind Canadians to "expect scrutiny" from border patrol officers if they travel to the United States.

A website with official advice for travellers heading south was updated with a paragraph about the "significant" discretion officers have when it comes to deciding who enters their country — including the power to search phones and laptops.

"U.S. authorities strictly enforce entry requirements. Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices. Comply and be forthcoming in all interactions with border authorities. If you are denied entry, you could be detained while awaiting deportation," the website now reads

Agents with U.S. Border Patrol have long had the power to ask to search travellers' belongings, but the Canadian government updated its online guidance to include the extra warning this week — a change that comes as the nations' long-friendly relationship breaks down under the pressure of the Trump administration's war on trade.

An immigration lawyer and a privacy lawyer said travellers who are concerned about their privacy should understand border patrol officers' powers and decide how much risk they're comfortable taking before they leave home. Two of the experts suggested travelling with a burner phone and leaving their actual phones at home.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/canada-us-border-phone-search-1.7502829

They have been able to search personal devices for quite a while. I remember learning this at least several trips ago, to the US.

But they never bothered to check the devices of those from friendly countries, if they didn't look Syrian or whatever. Because, previously, they were only looking for what they perceived as possible terrorist links.
We were never concerned about it and were never checked in that way.

Now they seem to be also looking for the most trivial signs that a person might not agree with Trump. Makes it very risky for loads of everyday people to travel to the US.

imo

 

[Kemug]

Maybe we'd all better stop posting!

 

[MelmothTheLost]

It's going to be interesting to see how all of this pans out for diamond sales in the US, which effectively produces no diamonds within its borders.

Around 30% of diamonds are produced in Russia - sanctioned.

Most other producers are being subjected to major tariff increases:

Botswana - 25% of global production and 37% tariff
Canada - 15% of global production and uncertain tariff position
Angola - 10% of global production and 32% tariff
DRC - 9% of global production and 11% tariff

There are also other smaller producers in the market including South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Liberia, Australia and Sierra Leone, all of whom are being hit by increased tariffs.

In addition, India (26% tariff) is the global centre for diamond cutting and polishing as well as the global leader in the production of lab-grown diamonds.

It therefore looks as though diamond prices are going to see sharp increases in the US.

Will angry US brides be rioting in the streets? And will they have to settle for smaller rocks? (j/k)

 

[SouthAussie]

Maybe we'd all better stop posting!

Or stop going to the US until things change, which is my choice. Because we can't let him silence the world.

imo

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Take a burner phone and have a pro Trump photo on your main screen.

 

[SouthAussie]

Take a burner phone and have a pro Trump photo on your main screen.

We considered the burner phone option. Not the photo though.

But we have always believed in not spending our dollars in places that we can't support (at the moment). Whether that is a shop or a country or whatever.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I would not go even if I won a free trip.
It seems fraught with danger. Not worth the risk, at the moment.

 

[iamshadow21]

It's going to be interesting to see how all of this pans out for diamond sales in the US, which effectively produces no diamonds within its borders.

Around 30% of diamonds are produced in Russia - sanctioned.

Most other producers are being subjected to major tariff increases:

Botswana - 25% of global production and 37% tariff
Canada - 15% of global production and uncertain tariff position
Angola - 10% of global production and 32% tariff
DRC - 9% of global production and 11% tariff

There are also other smaller producers in the market including South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Liberia, Australia and Sierra Leone, all of whom are being hit by increased tariffs.

In addition, India (26% tariff) is the global centre for diamond cutting and polishing as well as the global leader in the production of lab-grown diamonds.

It therefore looks as though diamond prices are going to see sharp increases in the US.

Will angry US brides be rioting in the streets? And will they have to settle for smaller rocks? (j/k)

The vast majority of mined diamonds (80 percent) aren't worn by brides - they're used for industrial purposes. At a Mohs hardness of ten, there's nothing harder. So as a cutting, polishing, and abrading agent, they're incredibly vital in all kinds of industries.

Also, 90 percent of synthetic diamonds are produced in China.

MOO

 

[indicolite22]

Given the abuse that T dishes out on his own people, and given his obvious unfaithfulness, I believe that Mrs T has some difficult things to endure.

She keeps away from him. I don't think they function as a normal couple. She's making sure she's getting something (likely money) out of the deal, otherwise she would have left him. As soon as he turns away from her she stops smiling.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

The vast majority of mined diamonds (80 percent) aren't worn by brides - they're used for industrial purposes. At a Mohs hardness of ten, there's nothing harder. So as a cutting, polishing, and abrading agent, they're incredibly vital in all kinds of industries.

I'm specifically referring to gem-quality diamonds.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2025-04-06/trumps-tariffs-hit-a-sour-note-in-landmark-nyc-emporium-of-sweets

Trump's Tariffs Hit a Sour Note in Landmark NYC Emporium of Sweets​

NEW YORK (AP) — Economy Candy’s shelves brim with sweets from around the world – gummies from Germany, lollipops from Spain, chocolates from Japan and a panoply of candies from across the U.S.

Standing amid it all, columns of bright jellybeans to his left and exotic Kit Kats to his right, owner Mitchell Cohen is quick with his assessment of how many of this shop’s 2,000-plus items are affected by the historic round of tariffs announced by President Donald Trump.

“I think all of them,” Cohen says at his store on New York's Lower East Side.

Cohen had just begun to feel a barrage of inflation-driven price increases from suppliers ease when the tariff threats arrived. For a business with a name like Economy Candy, he wants to remain affordable but fears how high some prices may have to climb in the coming months.

 

[detective.moon]

Will angry US brides be rioting in the streets? And will they have to settle for smaller rocks? (j/k)

rsbm

well, the economy does influence fashion too! i can imagine big diamonds, and in general displays of wealth, besides being unaffordable also starting to feel a bit off for many people

MSN

​

Recession Indicators Don’t Just Hit Wall Street—They Hit Fashion, Too​

 

[SouthAussie]

I'm specifically referring to gem-quality diamonds.

The jewellers will just start designing different pretty rings. A small emerald with little diamonds in a starburst around it, a silver square with 4 little diamonds embedded in it. They will cut the diamonds smaller and spread them throughout their designs.

imo