Tariffs, tariffs, and more about tariffs

FD1000

As I expected from the start and posted many times about it, tariffs have been used as a negotiating tool — not an end in themselves.

And now, it’s all starting to fall into place.

President Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the U.S. and EU have agreed on the framework of a trade deal, following negotiations in Scotland on Sunday. Trump called it “the biggest of them all,” while von der Leyen confirmed that the EU agreed to 15% tariffs across the board.

The principle is simple: you have to pay if you want to play — just like paying fees to Amazon or Apple when you want to sell on their platforms. Access has a cost.

I told you months ago — focus on investing and stop scaring the kids.
All the fear-based talk does nothing but distract people from what actually works.

a2z

continue playing the fool in another new thread, not realizing how tariff burdens are split.
there is no 3rd-party vetting of any 'signed' contracts, the majority of which have been to have further talks. call me skeptical on either side trusting the other to comply...trump broke his own prior nafta agreement.

the revenue reported is mostly via logistics providers able to somewhat encode all the changes and carve-outs. the estimate of 'stable' tariffs is ~5-10X, and you can pretend that has no impact because all forecasters are wrong.

google 'things that flow downhill'
https://www.mutualfundobserver.com/discuss/discussion/comment/195531/#Comment_195531

Mona

After Pledging to Keep Prices Low, Amazon Hiked Them on Hundreds of Essentials

https://archive.li/jWVV3#selection-2189.0-2189.78

Mona

Here’s where Walmart prices are changing — and staying the same — as Trump’s tariffs hit

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/17/trump-tariffs-affect-walmart-prices.html

Junkster

So far, at least early in the trading day the market isn’t reacting as one might expect to the positive tariff news. The market seems tired. New highs on the NYSE have been declining not expanding recently as the S@P has made new highs. Divergent action in the small caps. August is historically weak for second term Presidents post election year. I am no longer super bullish for other reasons too numerous to list. I am also investment board weary and taking a break from not just posting but even reading.

Sven

In my opinion bonds present better opportunities than that of stocks. For now i am comfortable with our asset allocation and this watching on the sideline.

@Mona, importing companies can either absorb the added tariffs (impact their earning) or pass them to the consumers). History has shown the consumers paid the tariffs. Thus, higher price goods lead to increased inflation.