Finally, Miran said that countries could “simply write checks” to the Treasury Department.
So, they’re calling trade deficits tariffs…
Then that means if America buys $10 million meow meow beans from Penguin Island, the trump admin thinks the penguins should then pay the trump admin $10 million so it’s a balance…
Like, did they legitimately forget that anything besides money exists?
An example I heard I think on Stand-up Maths’ video was going in to buy a cheeseburger, and then demanding a tariff charge because the owner won’t buy something of equal price from you. Imports and exports don’t have to be the same to have a healthy trade balance.
Yes, and the US is in the amazing position where basically all global trade is denominated in US dollars. This tariff thing is just going to incentivise everyone to switch to something else.
BRICS has a project to create a cryptocurrency to denominate all trade between those countries. Not sure if it’ll be successful, but it’s definitely their ambition.
But this is the first I’ve seen where the admin just straight up says to give them the money.
Like, it’s not just demanding they buy a cheeseburger from you for the same cost. They’re saying if you don’t, then you just have to give the money back and they keep your cheeseburger.
It’s literal toddler logic. They don’t understand how the literal basics of what trade is between two people.
He might as well have said:
I don’t understand how the US economy works, much less some sort of self sustaining one…
Oh, it gets better. For countries that we have a trade surplus with… they’re still levying a 10% tariff. Because like, UsA biG stROnG, I guess? Stupid reckless chest pounding. I just can’t.
The Trump administration calculated the trade deficit using only goods — physical items that can be shipped — and not services, such as technology, media, banking and tourism. (A DVD counts; a Netflix subscription doesn’t.)
So, they’re calling trade deficits tariffs…
Then that means if America buys $10 million meow meow beans from Penguin Island, the trump admin thinks the penguins should then pay the trump admin $10 million so it’s a balance…
Like, did they legitimately forget that anything besides money exists?
“Japan is sending all these cars, and what do we get?”
“…the cars?”
https://youtu.be/Mrje-m01kI8?t=3486
An example I heard I think on Stand-up Maths’ video was going in to buy a cheeseburger, and then demanding a tariff charge because the owner won’t buy something of equal price from you. Imports and exports don’t have to be the same to have a healthy trade balance.
Wasn’t the whole point of money to avoid that kind of barter system?
Yes. This business shows that not only does Trump not understand tariffs or trade or economics, he doesn’t even grasp the basic purpose of money.
Well if you don’t pay your loans or bills and declare bankruptcy when you’ve fucked up, you forget what money is.
Yes, and the US is in the amazing position where basically all global trade is denominated in US dollars. This tariff thing is just going to incentivise everyone to switch to something else.
I bet Putin and Xi would prefer that to change.
BRICS has a project to create a cryptocurrency to denominate all trade between those countries. Not sure if it’ll be successful, but it’s definitely their ambition.
Yeah, everyone has been making that point…
But this is the first I’ve seen where the admin just straight up says to give them the money.
Like, it’s not just demanding they buy a cheeseburger from you for the same cost. They’re saying if you don’t, then you just have to give the money back and they keep your cheeseburger.
It’s literal toddler logic. They don’t understand how the literal basics of what trade is between two people.
He might as well have said:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAKOWcs8w54
Oh, it gets better. For countries that we have a trade surplus with… they’re still levying a 10% tariff. Because like, UsA biG stROnG, I guess? Stupid reckless chest pounding. I just can’t.
TFW you move manufacturing abroad but don’t want to pay to import
Makes me wonder,
Do they calculate all the software / subscriptions / services that are being sold by US companies in their ‘trade’ calculations?
I’m willing to bet, US is already exporting more than importing if you put those into the equation.
No, services were left off.
I didn’t believe you. Here’s a source showing you’re right.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/04/04/upshot/trump-tariffs-reciprocal.html