Tariff - The Official Tariff Thread

[Shutree]

[QUOTE=misskit;4661157]Vietnam's leader called Donald Trump, offered to cut import tariffs on US goods to 0% in a bid to ease heavy reciprocal tariffs from the US.[/QUOTE

That will make Thailand's rice exporters squeal. Forty years back Thailand was the world's biggest rice exporter. Not producer, obviously. I used to go to Amcham meetings at the US Embassy with various visiting US congressmen as guests, when Thailand railed against subsidies to US rice farmers. It was never a level playing field. Then Vietnam got in on the action and the complacent Thai merchants who had never really had to compete with anyone except the US lost the plot. This could hurt Thailand, if the middlemen don't wise up then the export markets will be taken away from them and while the middlemen will just find another product to leech off, what will happen to the farmers?

[bsnub]

The smart people begin to enter the room...

[misskit]

Thailands Swine Raisers Oppose U.S. Pork Imports to Reduce Tariff Charges, Warn of Industry Collapse

The Swine Raisers Association of Thailand (SRAT) has issued a stern warning against a proposed plan to import pork from the United States, arguing that it could devastate the country’s domestic pork industry and ultimately harm consumers. The association’s opposition comes as Thailand faces pressure to address its trade surplus with the U.S., amid escalating tariff disputes and calls for greater market access.


The SRAT contends that allowing U.S. pork into Thailand would trigger a domino effect across the nation’s agricultural sector. Local pig farmers, already grappling with rising costs and past challenges like African Swine Fever, could be driven out of business by cheaper American imports. This, in turn, would slash demand for animal feed, leaving crop farmers—who grow corn and soybeans—and feed manufacturers without a market. “The entire supply chain could collapse,” a spokesperson for the SRAT cautioned.


The association pointed to the Philippines as a stark warning. After opening its markets to U.S. pork, the country saw its local pig farming industry shrink, only for pork prices to surge by 15% to 30%, burdening consumers.

The debate is unfolding against a backdrop of strained U.S.-Thailand trade relations. Recent U.S. tariffs, including a reported 36% levy on some Thai exports, have fueled speculation that Thailand might relax its import restrictions to ease tensions. While the SRAT supports importing U.S. raw materials like corn and soybeans to lower feed costs for Thai farmers, it draws a firm line at pork, viewing it as an existential threat to the industry.


Thailand’s pork sector has long been a cornerstone of its agricultural economy, supporting millions of livelihoods and meeting robust domestic demand. Past efforts to shield it from smuggled pork and disease outbreaks have reinforced a protective stance on imports.

Thailands Swine Raisers Oppose U.S. Pork Imports to Reduce Tariff Charges, Warn of Industry Collapse - The Pattaya News

[misskit]

^It’s hard to believe the US can turn out pork products cheaper than they can be produced in Thailand. What’s up with that?

[HuangLao]

^It’s hard to believe the US can turn out pork products cheaper than they can be produced in Thailand. What’s up with that?

But then there is the obvious comparison in quality towards such pork products, in which the U.S. doesn't have a shining history applying to quality - as it stands with almost all of their agricultural/stock market.

[HuangLao]

Ho hum....[sigh]
This hardline and broadly painted tariff business will come back to haunt the USA. Perhaps in a manner that we've never witnessed before.
In theory, I believe a round about aspect of Trump's [and his not terribly intelligent advisors] tariff follies was to incite, or even lure, American companies/brands to return to doing actual business and their assorted manufacturing skullduggery within the borders. This isn't gonna happen anytime soon.....if it does at all.

It'll always be much much cheaper for the thousands of companies to play along with the tariffs - even if their respective products will cost more - than to relocate and start all over in the States.....new facilities, taxes, training a domestic workforce, etc. Again, this will never come about. What compounds everything for the everyday mindless American consumer, is that 95% of all everyday goods/products are produced overseas....largely by American companies and their brand or sub-brand names. This reality is truly a hardship that they'll never be able to overcome.

As the countries/companies that might or might not feel the pinch of such a draconian trade policy.......remembering that America isn't the only market.
They'll just abandoned the ever failing society and market.

Another strategy behind the tariff business might be to hopefully recover the failing U.S. dollar as a world reserve currency. Which will never manifest either, as the reserve currency ideals are already in the hole and digging deeper. Going right down the shitter as a dominant paradigm.

What's left?
Tax the fuck outta everything and everyone until most are on the streets.
Wonder if anyone's notice the growing percentage of "homeless" in the U.S. of the last few years......

[Shutree]

While the SRAT supports importing U.S. raw materials like corn and soybeans to lower feed costs for Thai farmers, it draws a firm line at pork, viewing it as an existential threat to the industry.

It is fine to destroy our suppliers so that we can get cheaper pigfood, but please don't touch our pigs.

[Bonecollector]

One thing I would tell Cambodia if I was Trump is to cut ties with China or at the very least kick them out.

[hallelujah]

Trump and MAGA keep telling us how rich they are.

Cambodia has been whacked with a 49% tariff, 37 for Bangladesh and 48 for Laos.

When these jobs are brought home to the US, are these rich MAGAs gonna be happy to work in a factory for $100 a week or are they planning on going shoeless for the rest of their lives?

You wake up and check the news in the morning and every day these fuckers have caused yet more utter madness in the world.

[BLD]

I don't think lao export anything to the states. Laos doesn't produce much of anything and what it does produce to sell gets sold regionally. The Lao folk should demand restitution for the US bombing there ass . A lot of them bombs are still unexploded. Obama was the first us president to acknowledge this fact. And set in motion funds for UXO teams on the ground 48% for this little landlocked country seems like a kick in the head for the poor bastards. This Trump guy is a fucking asshole #1

[hallelujah]

I don't think lao export anything to the states. Laos doesn't produce much of anything and what it does produce to sell gets sold regionally. The Lao folk should demand restitution for the US bombing there ass . A lot of them bombs are still unexploded. Obama was the first us president to acknowledge this fact. And set in motion funds for UXO teams on the ground 48% for this little landlocked country seems like a kick in the head for the poor bastards. This Trump guy is a fucking asshole #1

It's all in the factories, BLD. If you go to Cambo, there are a load of factories just outside Phnom Penh - you pass them on the way to Sihanoukville -where they're getting paid 150 sheets a month to make socks, t shirts, trainers etc. Which is why basic economics tells you that it makes more sense to have some products made elsewhere and import them.

[hallelujah]

Also, some stuff can only be grown elsewhere.

E.g. Coffee. Are they gonna rely on Hawaii to supply the entire US market?

Also quality- European cheese, dairy, chocolate etc.

I'm pretty sure the yanks will cave first if they have to eat their own cheese.

[BLD]

Yeah you are right I forgot about the textile industry . Sweatshops basicly .pretty sure nobody working in one got fat n rich

[BLD]

Also, some stuff can only be grown elsewhere.

E.g. Coffee. Are they gonna rely on Hawaii to supply the entire US market?

Also quality- European cheese, dairy, chocolate etc.

I'm pretty sure the yanks will cave first if they have to eat their own cheese.

Ho ho..snubby will be along soon but speaking of cheese I found anything imported from.france like cheese or wine was super cheap. Cheaper than Oz Oz meat products etc were also on comparison to Oz prices. Could it be that there was a free trade agreement and all parties honoured it.
Could it be

[BLD]

Pretty sure Trump has made sure the world won't enter into trade agreements that were established after ww2 and just like that.The orange monkeys pen is mightier than the sword. Disgusting how he's getting away with it

[Shutree]

I don't think lao export anything to the states. Laos doesn't produce much of anything and what it does produce to sell gets sold regionally. The Lao folk should demand restitution for the US bombing there ass . A lot of them bombs are still unexploded. Obama was the first us president to acknowledge this fact. And set in motion funds for UXO teams on the ground 48% for this little landlocked country seems like a kick in the head for the poor bastards. This Trump guy is a fucking asshole #1

He doesn't care and I very much doubt that he even knows where Laos is. Also history is not one of his strong points. All he knows about the Vietnam War (or the American War, depending upon where you grew up) is that he dodged it, coz he's smart.

[Bonecollector]

Yea Hal, most of the factories in Lao and Cambodia are Chinese owned. These tariffs are definitely aimed at making it more difficult for China.

[hallelujah]

Yea Hal, most of the factories in Lao and Cambodia are Chinese owned. These tariffs are definitely aimed at making it more difficult for China.

Oh yeah, Boney, I see who it's aimed at.

But it still doesn't make sense.

And China have way more savvy leaders than this lot.

[misskit]

Trump threatens additional 50% tariffs on China, terminates talks

US President Donald Trump threatened to further increase tariffs on China on Monday (Apr 7), raising the possibility of further escalation in a trade war that has already wiped trillions of dollars from global markets.


Trump said he would impose an additional 50 per cent duty on US imports from China on Wednesday if the world's No 2 economy did not withdraw the 34 per cent tariffs it had imposed on US products last week. Those Chinese tariffs came in response to 34 percent of the "reciprocal" duties announced by Trump.


"All talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!" he wrote on social media.

MORE Trump threatens additional 50% tariffs on China, terminates talks - CNA

[harrybarracuda]

The chinkies have a massive cash reserve.

They should put a 100% tariff on the US, call in all those Belt and Owed favours to get them extended around the world and just wait for the orange blob to retaliate which, with the resulting Argentina style inflation, should get the orange blob out in no time.

[misskit]

The specter of a global downturn reminiscent of the Great Depression of the 1930s looms large, with egregious consequences for Thailand’s economy, after President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on all US trading partners.


With the baseline 10 per cent tariff already in effect from April 5, Thai exports face significant challenges ahead when the 36 per cent levied on Thailand comes into effect.


Trump’s controversial decision to implement sweeping high tariff rates on all US trading partners has prompted worries of a global recession. Thai economists are wary of the repercussions for Thailand's economy.


Reasons behind US trade claims


The US argues that Thailand, along with other countries, imposes higher import duties on US products, along with non-tariff barriers, which hinder sales of American goods.


According to the “2025 National Trade Estimate on Foreign Trade Barriers by the President of the US on Trade Agreement”, Thailand’s average applied tariff rate as a Most-Favored-Nation was 9.8 per cent in 2023. The rate was much higher on agricultural products at 27 per cent, while non-agricultural products faced a 7.1 per cent tariff.


Thailand currently restricts the import of biofuels intended for fuel use, aiming to support domestic farm income as a primary objective of its Alternative Energy Development Plan.


Import licenses are required for many items, including wood, petroleum, industrial machinery, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and agricultural products such as plants, seeds, processed meats, and salt. Moreover, Thailand imposes food safety inspection fees in the form of import permit fees on all shipments of cooked and uncooked meat.


Concerns over customs penalties and reward system


Thailand provides incentives to customs officials who initiate investigations and for enforcement actions, making it one of the few major US trading partners with such a system. This has been a cause for concern among Thailand’s trading partners due to the scope for corruption and associated costs, uncertainty and lack of transparency. The customs penalty and reward system remains a contentious issue, casting a doubt over fair trade practices, according to the US report.


Technical barriers to trade


In June 2024, Thailand notified the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade about a new draft regulation regarding marketing restrictions on food for young children. US industry raised concerns that these restrictions do not provide sufficient clarity for companies to understand which products must comply. US industry also voiced concerns about the potential negative impacts on US exports of various milk products to Thailand, according to the US report.


Implications of increased tariffs


The tariff hike by the US poses a huge threat to Thailand’s economy, considering exports comprised nearly 65 per cent of gross domestic product in 2024. Higher tariffs on Thai exports to the US could lead to reduced demand for Thai products, resulting in lower revenues for Thai businesses and potential job losses at home.


This, in turn, could ripple through the economy, affecting consumer spending, investment and overall economic growth.


The heightened trade barriers could also exacerbate existing tensions between the two countries, potentially leading to retaliatory measures from Thailand. Such a scenario could further strain bilateral relations and disrupt trade flows, ultimately harming both economies.


Does Thailand have a choice?


Thailand has almost no leverage to negotiate with the US on tariff rates, according to some economists.


The 36 per cent reciprocal rate Trump has imposed could have immediate deleterious consequences for Thailand’s economic growth. According to the “2025 National Trade Estimate on Foreign Trade Barriers by the President of the US on Trade Agreement”, Thailand ran trade surpluses worth $45.6 billion last year, ranking 11th among countries having large trade surpluses with the US.


The challenge before the Thai government is to come up with a strategy to negotiate a lower tariff rate. Local economists think Thailand has no choice but to give in to the US demand on reduction of tariff rates and the removal of non-tariff barriers.


“We do not have negotiation power as we depend heavily on the US market, while the US depends less on ours,” said Pipat Luengnaruemitchai, chief economist at Kiatnakin Phatra Financial Group.


The new tariff rate of 36 per cent would slash Thailand's economic growth rate by 1.1 percentage points, according to estimates. However, the extent of the fallout would depend on how long the reciprocal tariffs would last. The tariff rate could be lower at around 10 per cent plus, he said.


Thailand’s key exports to the US include telephone sets and parts for wireless, computer and hard disc drives, rubber tires, solar PV, static converters and parts for machines. Among manufacturing goods, exports of auto parts and hard disc drives could be hit hard, said Pipat.


“If Thailand concedes to the US demand and reduces tariff rates on maize and soybeans from the US, some local agro-businesses that import maize from neighboring countries via contract farming would be hurt, but the animal feed industry would benefit as they use maize and soybeans as key raw materials,” Pipat said.


Opening the Thai market for US meat, pork, chicken and milk products could impact the local livestock industry, but it would be beneficial for Thai consumers, said Pipat. He suggested that Thailand purchase more US products, such as crude oil, liquid natural gas, airplanes, machinery and weapons. The country could also invest more in the US and address US concerns over intellectual property rights protection and labor rights.


Piyasak Manason, head of economic research at InnovestX Securities, believes there is a 50 per cent chance of Thailand being successful in negotiating a reduction in tariff rates to the universal rate of 10 per cent.


“A baseline forecast for Thai GDP this year is that it would grow by 1.7 per cent, lower than the 2.5 per cent forecast before Trump announced the reciprocal tariffs,” said Piyasak.


In the worst-case scenario, if negotiations fail and the US imposes a reciprocal tariff rate of 36 per cent on Thai products or an average tariff rate of 28 per cent for all countries — of which there is a 40 per cent chance — Thai GDP would contract by 1.1 percentage point.


“And in the nightmare scenario where no country succeeds in negotiations with the US and every country implements retaliatory policies against each other — a 10 per cent likelihood — then Thai GDP could contract by 10-20 per cent,” said Piyasak.


“The nightmare scenario would look like what happened during the Great Depression of the 1930s when the average US tariff rate was at 50 per cent."


As Thais noticed Vietnam's leader moving fast in negotiations with Trump, Thai netizens took to social media platforms to slam the coalition government led by the Pheu Thai Party for its slower response to the US tariff threat. They condemned the government for being busy with pushing the casino bill into the Parliament agenda, with some blaming the government for prioritizing the wrong issues.


Strategies for mitigation


To survive the threat of a potential economic depression, many analysts believe Thailand must adopt proactive measures to mitigate the impact of increased tariffs and trade barriers. These strategies could include:


︎- Diversifying export markets: Thailand should seek to expand its export markets beyond the US to reduce dependency on a single trade partner.


︎- Enhancing trade relations: Strengthening trade relations with other countries and regional blocs could help offset the negative effects of US tariffs.


︎- Improving domestic competitiveness: Invest in innovation, technology and infrastructure to enhance the competitiveness of Thai products on the global stage.


︎- Negotiating trade agreements: Engage in diplomatic negotiations to secure favorable trade agreements and reduce tariff barriers.


︎- Supporting local industries: Provide subsidies, tax incentives and financial support to local industries affected by higher tariffs.


︎- Monitoring and reforming customs practices to ensure transparency and fair practices.

Trump’s tariff onslaught raises Great Depression worries

[misskit]

US forges ahead with 104% tariffs on China, says willing to talk to other countries

The United States said on Tuesday (Apr 8) that 104 per cent duties on imports from China will take effect shortly after midnight, even as the Trump administration moved to quickly start talks with other trading partners targeted by President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff plan.


US stocks retreated on the news. Global markets had previously posted gains on hopes that Trump might be willing to negotiate down the array of country and product-specific trade barriers he is erecting around the world's largest consumer market.


The administration has scheduled talks with South Korea and Japan, two close allies and major trading partners, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is due to visit next week.


But the White House made clear that country-specific tariffs of up to 50 per cent would nevertheless take effect at 12.01am Eastern Time, as planned.

MORE US forges ahead with 104% tariffs on China, says willing to talk to other countries - CNA

[david44]

LOS might like to choose US steel, cannot be worse than the stuff used in the collapsed building, fund the first shipments from fines/sequestration of those responsible.

A dozen Boeings on credit
Not sure Thais could handle F35 but a few older planes/tanks and toys for the boys to suppress the sweaty uppity masses
Same surveillance , them Amazon algorithims spot on always send me ads for tool enlargers, bush trimmers and ripple clamps!

Boxing outside the think how about a walll to keep the Cambos , Bummas and Malay Lascars out and make the Chinese pay for it, worked so well stateside, $10 duty on all that Shein Shinola, Temu and Ali Excess undercutting the hard wanking local craftsmen and trancegenders and wimmin.

A couple of old US submarines what with local storekeeps and crew readily available to train them how not to sink permanently like the Sukothai, in fact better just stay at anchor as theme pubs at On Nut with fewer chances of mishap.

I'll do my bit and order 2 bottles of Tabasco and a Merkhin Markle,aka Brown Windsor shade 'Handy Andy NO SWEAT TANK TOP" for Mendy" ass snip at $69 from Archwank Mingecandles, plus $69 dotage and dogging tax.



Not sure about dem Connecticut carrots tho



then again

[NamPikToot]

love this, the chinkies have put out an AI generated tiktok vid of fat mercans working a garment factories

https://www.tiktok.com/@axiang67/vid...39237108878634

[harrybarracuda]

I think Mr. Shithole will be winning this particular game of chicken.

China unveiled retaliatory tariffs of 84% on imports of US goods on Wednesday, matching additional tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump earlier in the day and further inflaming a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.
Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs took effect earlier on Wednesday. China was the hardest-hit nation, with a levy now totaling at least 104% on all its goods. The two countries have been involved in a game of tit-for-tat on trade, with Beijing standing firmly against each new tariff introduced by Washington.
The trade war widened further on Wednesday after the European Union announced it would begin collecting retaliatory duties on US imports starting Tuesday.
Announcing China’s response, the State Council Tariff Commission said in a statement: “The US escalation of tariffs on China is a mistake upon mistake, severely infringing upon China’s legitimate rights and interests, and seriously damaging the multilateral trading system based on rules.”
The amped-up retaliation comes after China repeatedly warned that it would “fight to the end” if the US moved forward with further tariffs.
On Wednesday, Trump’s additional levies on Chinese imports had originally been set to increase by 34 percentage points. But the president tacked on another 50 percentage points after Beijing refused to back down from the standoff. Prior to the most recent rounds of escalation, Trump had already imposed 20% levies on China.

China announces 84% tariffs on US goods in showdown with Trump | CNN Business