That 'disinformation' is from JP Morgan and the World Trade Organization.
But it would not be the first time either one of them was wrong! lol
Regardless, its not wrong. The massive trade imbalance the U.S. has is mostly from currency manipulation, but that's another topic. The reality is most countries protect their industries with Tariffs - which is what the graph shows.
Tariffs help CREATE trad deficits - because they create trade imbalance. Again, Trump is trying to reduce or eliminate all tariffs so we have free trade. Of course, as mentioned, this will not change the currency manipulation problem - but that's next....
To be fair, Trump is trying to figure out how to get to free trade BOTH ways. Right now, that is not the case. I don't think the tariffs will work, because its the money that's broken - not the taxes. But either way, if we did get more free trade BOTH ways, it would benefit everyone.
100%
The reason we have tariffs and trade problems is because of currency manipulation. This is a Fiat disease that has spread across the globe.
If you have a global reserve currency not owned by anyone country then you have free trade - or at least you know if it’s fair. Until then you’re not gonna fix this problem.
I'm not sure about the Nazi thing. Honest question: Are we sure that's not propaganda?
If you read the book, "Provoked" you see Ukraine has been a tinderbox since after WW2. Read "One Nation Under Blackmail" by Whitney Webb for a very, very deep dive, 1000 pages, if history, with 1000s of references, of the corruption passed on from generation to generation.
The West has done great harm in Ukraine - which is the cause of most of the problems today. The Russiaphobia in the West, what is that all about? Who started it? Why?
I struggle with the Palestinian issue. $100 of millions spent building tunnels by Hamas so they can launch rockets from residential areas. Then when Israel bombs the launch site and kills civilians the press is all over it - genocide.
Israel did not chose their land - they were forced there.
The Muslims and Christians have been at war for over 1000 years. The multi-volume series, "The Story of Civilization" is outstanding. Really puts in perspective how long this war has been going on.
It's clear Israel tried to get along with Palestinians over the last 20 years. Trying to live together. Clearly that did not work - as it has not worked for 100s of years.
So we are at a point someone will need to win, and someone will need to lose I guess. I really don't know.
To your origional point about talking this issue - I think we stay out of it (the West) and just let it play out. The West has been trying to Nation Build for decades and guess what - it has not worked after spending 10's of trillions of dollars.
As hard as it is to watch people kill each other, I don't believe stepping into the middle of the war will fix the war.
Do u think the Ukraine war, which started in 2014 with genocide against Russians, is Russia’s fault? But goes way back to the 90s. Read book, “Provoked” -
And do u think Israel being bombed for 20+ years from tunnels but under residential areas has anything to do with the problem for the Palestinians? Just recently 4 rockets were launched from Gaza from residential areas - to which Israel responds decisively - hitting the launch sites. Whose fault are the civilian casualties? Are u fine with Hamas sending rockets to Israel for 20+ years? Do u think they should just allow the killing?
See - there r two sides to every conflict. Can u understand both sides?
That right there is why there is no talk about it - there is no reasoning with anyone on one side or the other.
War is ugly - always funded with printed money.
Where is there genocide? I know this is a talking point lately with lots of pictures.
I think even Hamilton 'may' have been a #Bitcoin Maxi.
Why?
The belief in the day is private currency could not be trusted. Historically that would be true.
But if you truly understand Bitcoin, it's not really 'private' currency in the historical sense. Private currency was still controlled at the top (banks, Elites, etc...).
What if Hamilton knew for sure Bitcoin was truly decentralized, limited, and not under anyone's private control?
Make no mistake: This is pure speculation on my part. Hamilton was instrumental in the entire current banking system as he convinced Washington to create First Bank of the United States - to maintain economic control and fund, yep, WAR. This 'legacy' of his should go down in history as contributing to one of the worst systems/events in human history. Time will tell.
As I stated, Tesla sales are down Q1 2025. Let's see how the year goes.
Don't disagree the tax on property yearly in the USA needs to change. But USA is still big on property rights and other 'freedoms' that are worth having in the USA. For example, you don't have a Social Credit Score that dictates your state privileges in the USA.
Let's not get too carried away!
Have you really dug into most cars produced/designed in China?
I don't see anything that will sell in the USA - please send link if you think otherwise. I'm open to learning.'
And BTW - Tesla's sales in China 2024 reached a record high of over 657,000 cars, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year.
Early 2025 sales have crashed - for various reasons. Let's see how the year turns out. Even Chinese want Tesla's.
Actually - you can buy a Tesla - the best technology. Most American made car on the market.
But yes, you can also buy legacy auto with shitty technology.
Since most BMW are leased, it will just increase the lease payment a couple hundred a month. No big deal when the reason you are buying a car is for the 'statement' - because BMW tech is as antiquated as US car company tech - almost anyway - BMW does a good job for the appearance I guess anyway.
(on my 5th Tesla - the Cybertruck makes the Y look old, and the Model Y is miles ahead of legacy auto)
Nostr will grow like everything. It's a LOT of painful day to day flat line growth wearing us out. Then something happens, boom, and it grows - even doubles - in short order.
Then back to painful plateau for a while again. Human nature.
But what always wins? The strongest platform! And from an individual basis, Nostr is it - people will learn they can not be cancelled and you have total control of your information here - which is definitely not the case on Twitter/X or anything else.
Okay. Let's say they are adopted.
This does nothing to stop #Bitcoin. BUT, as people realize they are being controlled (won't happen overnight) will they gravitate to Bitcoin and lightning wallets where they are not controlled now that they have a 'taste' of digital currency?
They will also learn they can SAVE with Bitcoin - eventually.
Ukraine elites and many US companies and Elites need the war to continue - they are getting rich off the health and destruction. Sad but true.
How can white college educated women be so duped by the Ukraine misinformation?
Says the retard sitting at the bar drinking while they’re both fixing the world. 😳🤔
Interesting. From Whole Life to Bitcoin.
My step dad sold Whole Life - made a shit load of money. But I suppose if you have a ton of money it would work out well.
I do worry about the insurance companies due to the bond exposure. Interest rates and money printing have flipped the long term trend and Insurance/banking was one of the primary beneficiaries of the current 50 years system coming to an end.
Okay - I got it. There are two ways to pay bills.
1. you can keep the money in fiat and pay via fiat.
2. You can put your money in Bitcoin and then pay bills via Bitcoin.
I guess I just assumed if you are using Fold that the idea is to keep the money in Bitcoin, mostly. But if you are just using Fold as a US$ cash account - then the Bitcoin sell fees (through spread) would not apply.
But adding to this whole story - if you are keeping your fiat in cash on Fold, what percent do you make? On Etrade I have free bill pay and I get 3% interest.
I get it - try to support the Bitcoin ecosystem. Still working on it. I'm nearly 100% Bitcoin so about the only thing left is checking, a ROTH IRA, and the bill paying in the fiat system.
It will come eventually!
Well, I think they should have the option of the spread, or paying the fee (with full disclosure).
My issue is the deceptive process of making money.
I also understand the average person sees the fees and they don't want to pay them.
It's a tough situation - display fees and lose business, or trick people into paying fees they don't understand.
I have always thought there should be full disclosure, offer both types of services.