Stock market is down

[Gobears81]

The reason this isn't being handled with diplomacy instead of naked, open negotiations is that we've been asking nicely for 20+ years and getting a middle finger in response—it's time to stop being nice.

To lower tariff rates or to narrow the trade deficit?

Here's some average tariff rates. China and the EU are less than 1% higher than the weighted average rate for the U.S. (before Trump 47):

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/tru...er-countries-larger-than-word-trade-data.html

Perhaps there is a genuine qualm with countries such as India charging 12% on average, but that is why targeted negotiations may be better served. The tariff rates posted on Wednesday are not serious.

List of trade deficits/ surpluses by country:

https://www.fool.com/research/us-trade-balance/

Notice that Australia, U.K., Netherlands, and Brazil have trade deficits with the U.S., among quite a few others. Some of those countries have LOWER average tariff rates than what the U.S. was charging.

 

[Zoe]

Bunch of wealth lost today.

 

[IlliniApp]

AI offers bland, generic and often outdated answes which is why it sucks ( and why we might still be needed )
AI is not a whistleblower and will not tell the hard truth about corruption or what goes on behind the scenes and shies away from anything controversial ( which is often the only thing that matters)

I just wish someone would explain to me why it's still drawing pictures of people with three legs or more than five fingers on a hand.

 

[Joe Flacco]

A lot of things we import have domestic alternatives. We will eat more apples and oranges and fewer pineapples and mangos. Domestic seafood instead of imported seafood from Asia.

 

[Joe Flacco]

Im not a big spender so I'm not sure how much tariffs will impact me. Looks like energy prices and gas prices are going down. That is good. I'm pretty sure Cheetos, Doritos and Coca-Cola are made in USA. That should be fine.

 

[John Hassler]

I just wish someone would explain to me why it's still drawing pictures of people with three legs or more than five fingers on a hand.

Have you ever seen an Alberto Vargas pinup drawing? Several had six fingers. I’d post one but probably against the forum rules even though I know art when I see it.

 

[Charles West]

To lower tariff rates or to narrow the trade deficit?

Here's some average tariff rates. China and the EU are less than 1% higher than the weighted average rate for the U.S. (before Trump 47):

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/04/tru...er-countries-larger-than-word-trade-data.html

Perhaps there is a genuine qualm with countries such as India charging 12% on average, but that is why targeted negotiations may be better served. The tariff rates posted on Wednesday are not serious.

List of trade deficits/ surpluses by country:

https://www.fool.com/research/us-trade-balance/

Notice that Australia, U.K., Netherlands, and Brazil have trade deficits with the U.S., among quite a few others. Some of those countries have LOWER average tariff rates than what the U.S. was charging.

He is using leverage to get everybody's attention. His exaggerated tariffs are designed to put butts in chairs and deals done.

 

[John Hassler]

The stock market is reacting to bad government policy.

 

[Joe Flacco]

Stocks were going to go down no matter what was announced. Maybe what was announced impacted the speed of the drop.

 

[J Grant]

The stock market is reacting to bad government policy.

It is going to raise prices tremendously, which will slow buying which will hurt retail sales and affect the entire economy.

Be careful what you wish for - the base wanted an unrestrained Trump who would break things for the ego and power trip of breaking things, but all of us are going to have to pick up the tab.