trading down

[billy.pilgrim]

The TPP wasn't killed by Donald Trump – our protests worked
We the people can create change by standing together. This is crucial to remember for the next four years

To be fair there were a lot of trumpettes against it because republicon obama was all out for it

[Vrede too]

There may also be some former opponents that are all out for it now because Trump opposed it. I'm not, but it does make me throw up a little bit to be allied with Trump on anything.

[rstrong]

There may also be some former opponents that are all out for it now because Trump opposed it. I'm not, but it does make me throw up a little bit to be allied with Trump on anything.

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Since the election Trump has reversed several major promises. And that's not taking into account that before the election Trump took pretty much EVERY position on every issue depending on who he was talking to. So all he's really said on the TPP is "I am Groot", and you can read into it whatever you want.

[Vrede too]

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Me or Trump?

Since the election Trump has reversed several major promises. And that's not taking into account that before the election Trump took pretty much EVERY position on every issue depending on who he was talking to. So all he's really said on the TPP is "I am Groot", and you can read into it whatever you want.

Could definitely happen, but so far Trump's adhering to his campaign theme and saying that he'll withdraw from the TPP on day 1.

[rstrong]

The US already has essentially free trade with the countries involved. Calling the TPP a "free trade" deal is meant to obscure the fact that it's an investment/ISDS/IP law deal.

I'm guessing that Trump will "keep his word" on scrapping the TPP. And then him, the swamp and the Republican-controlled Congress will fast-track a "just investment/ISDS", "won't affect manufacturing at all" deal. The TPP relabeled.

[Vrede too]

Yeah, I never really thought that Trump would be a champion of workers and the environment against corporate avarice.

[rstrong]

Since the election Trump has reversed several major promises. And that's not taking into account that before the election Trump took pretty much EVERY position on every issue depending on who he was talking to. So all he's really said on the TPP is "I am Groot", and you can read into it whatever you want.

Aaaaaaand, a position is starting to appear.

Yesterday Trump formally pulled U.S. out of the TPP with executive order. But as the CBC put it:

TPP is dead. Long live TPP

A year ago it seemed NAFTA might be superseded by the TPP. All three NAFTA countries were onboard.

Now it's the other way around.

At his confirmation hearing Thursday, treasury secretary nominee Steven Mnuchin said the TPP could be a "starting point" for NAFTA talks.

Already-agreed-upon TPP chapters — on labour, environmental standards, intellectual property, or e-commerce — could migrate.

If seen as minor amendments, TPP text could become NAFTA annexes or side letters.

Waiting to hear if any other countries get invited into NAFTA. And of course the chapters on labour and environmental standards don't mean squat if ISDS lawsuits under the agreement take precedence.

[Vrede too]

Trump is right to criticize NAFTA—but he’s totally wrong about why it’s bad for America

... The problem for American workers is not international trade, per se. America has been a trading nation since its beginning. The problem is, rather, the radical new rules for trade imposed by NAFTA—and copied in the myriad trade deals signed by the US ever since—that shifted the benefits of expanding trade to investors and the costs to workers....

[Boatrocker]

Trump is right to criticize NAFTA—but he’s totally wrong about why it’s bad for America

... The problem for American workers is not international trade, per se. America has been a trading nation since its beginning. The problem is, rather, the radical new rules for trade imposed by NAFTA—and copied in the myriad trade deals signed by the US ever since—that shifted the benefits of expanding trade to investors and the costs to workers....

Trickle Down has never worked and never will. Trickle Up, however, works slicker'n shit.

[Vrede too]

Trump's trade moves threaten to make NAFTA even worse for climate!

Donald Trump has committed to renegotiate NAFTA, but given his billionaire, climate-denying cabinet, there is a real chance he could actually make it worse. The environmental impact of NAFTA has been enormous -- it empowered corporate polluters to challenge environmental protections, boosted destructive mining in Mexico, and contributed to the rise of Canada's toxic tar sands industry.

Renegotiation of NAFTA must be driven by a desire for climate action, clean air and water, healthy communities, and good jobs. As he reopens negotiations around NAFTA, we need our members of Congress to be clear that renegotiation of NAFTA must benefit people and our climate, not multinational corporations.

Tell your members of Congress: Renegotiation of NAFTA must benefit people and our climate, not multinational corporations.

[Vrede too]

Add your name: Demand that NAFTA renegotiations benefit working people, not corporate power

[Vrede too]

Trump says he made up facts in Justin Trudeau trade meeting: 'I had no idea. I just said "you're wrong"'

To be fair, messing with Canadians can be a lot of fun and is not limited to Dolt .45.

[rstrong]

To be fair, this has been normal when dealing with the US on trade issues since long before Trump.

[Vrede too]

To be fair, this has been normal when dealing with the US on trade issues since long before Trump.

No it hasn't!

[Vrede too]

AP FACT CHECK: Trump again at odds with US trade (with Canada) stats

[rstrong]

He also counts Chinese goods arriving through the port of Vancouver as being from Canada. As well as from China, counting them twice.

[Vrede too]

He also counts Chinese goods arriving through the port of Vancouver as being from Canada. As well as from China, counting them twice.

It sucks that China and Canada are conspiring to double our trade deficit.

[Vrede too]

Conspiracy theory:
Dolt .45's trade war is less about 'America first' protectionism than it is about intentionally destroying relations with our friends at the behest of Putin.

[Vrede too]

‘It Stinks’: Anthony Scaramucci and More on Twitter Mock Trump Trade Bill Called the ‘FART Act’

President Donald Trump‘s administration has drafted legislation that would allow him to flout World Trade Organization rules and raise tariffs without congressional approval, Axios reported Sunday.

Although the reported bill could have significant implications for the global economy, social media users have been more focused on its unfortunate name: the United States Fair and Reciprocal Tariff Act — or “FART Act.”

Trump’s short-lived former communications director, Anthony Scaramucci, was among the first to comment on the proposed bill, saying it “stinks.” ...

The FART Act will be followed by the Path Out Of Prosperity Act (POOP)

"The world is laughing at us" says Trump, before proposing the FART Act (Fair and Reciprocal Tariff Act)

Leaving aside policy and politics, this is the most incompetent administration ever.

[O Really]

Among other things, it does clearly point out the big differences in being an apparently capable "business leader" and being in government. These people are clearly incompetent, tone deaf, and clueless in their current jobs, yet most were able to find success in the private sector - some in real jobs. One could expect that the De Vos' of the world would be evil, but even many of those who have lived in their own personal world of opulence can be capable in public service - just not any of the ones who Trump appoints. He has assembled without doubt the most incompetent and corrupt cabinet ever in any first world country, with several of the members doing double duty as both incompetent and corrupt, and incompetent in their corruptness.

Part of the problem may be that Trump doesn't want anybody around him who's smarter than he is. If that's the standard, it's kinda hard to find competence.