Politics

[spike.t]

EU will…..
Purchase $750Bil in energy from USA
Invest an additional $600Bil
Open EU markets to agriculture and autos
15% reciprocal tariffs
Purchase military equipment from USA

Ursula Von Der Leyen said…
“Tough negotiations, but it was a big and good deal for both sides.”

One thing I don't get is the Donald wanting usa vehicles sold in other countries...in most.. just about every country they are too big and basically nobody wants to buy them....Japan is a classic example....the size is ludicrous for there...even in UK they are way too big....so why does he want to push something that is basically unworkable in negotiations..but still says they will take our cars....

 

[spike.t]

Mmm..nor sure about some of these rankings.....

Africa's most dangerous country in 2025 so far - not Congo or Somalia | World | News | Express.co.uk https://share.google/kcWWPpnBEmm7U2XtD

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

One thing I don't get is the Donald wanting usa vehicles sold in other countries...in most.. just about every country they are too big and basically nobody wants to buy them....Japan is a classic example....the size is ludicrous for there...even in UK they are way too big....so why does he want to push something that is basically unworkable in negotiations..but still says they will take our cars....

You may be right, but if you are, then it begs the question of why to hit US autos with a tariff in the first place?

 

[spike.t]

You may be right, but if you are, then it begs the question of why to hit US autos with a tariff in the first place?

Phil not sure but thought I read certain countries don't actually have a tariff on usa vehicles...probably wrong and can't remember what country/countries...but it stuck in my mind..just looked quickly for an example..

 

[Tanks]

Regarding the arrangement with Japan regarding autos. If I remember correctly compliance with US regulations would be sufficient with Japan rather than Japan's vehicle safety and emissions regulations.

I hope this would become reciprocal if that is the case. I'd love a diesel LandCruiser or a HiLux.

 

[deewayne2003]

One thing I don't get is the Donald wanting usa vehicles sold in other countries...in most.. just about every country they are too big and basically nobody wants to buy them....Japan is a classic example....the size is ludicrous for there...even in UK they are way too big....so why does he want to push something that is basically unworkable in negotiations..but still says they will take our cars....

If the market is there then they will develop models specifically for them and their are some models that cross over quite well in other countries, even developing ones.

Example: The Ford Fiesta and India - Ford offers them with some outrageously bright interior options that are popular in India and I believe they started manufacturing them there also.

I Also believe the Ford Ranger would be a lower cost option to the Hilux.

 

[Wheels]

USA/EU trade bill finalized.

EU nations face 15% tariff on exports to US as trade deal agreed

US President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen confirm the deal after "tough negotiations" in Scotland.

www.bbc.com

After 80 years the Marshall Plan ends

 

[spike.t]

If the market is there then they will develop models specifically for them and their are some models that cross over quite well in other countries, even developing ones.

Example: The Ford Fiesta and India - Ford offers them with some outrageously bright interior options that are popular in India and I believe they started manufacturing them there also.

I Also believe the Ford Ranger would be a lower cost option to the Hilux.

The ranger is built in SA and Thailand amongst other countries....and let's say its reliability reputation isn't great..same with the fiesta..built in various countries around the world...so these aren't exactly made in usa models

 

[spike.t]

Iran jumping on the bandwagon now.....

Iran reportedly buying uranium in Niger, supplying drones to Sudan | Fox News https://share.google/SRZDtfSN67KHOieMj

 

[spike.t]

Referring back to the male and female dating etc issues.....this gives quite a few reasons why males are staying clear of the opposite sex.....promotion advert in middle but persevere to the end....seriously unbelievable and on the scary side....

 

[HookMeUpII]

I never thought I'd see the day. Supposedly, from people inside the suit, it's 50/50 whether this goes our way or not:

Gun Rights Groups Sue New Jersey Over Silencer Ban: Say It’s Unconstitutional

TRENTON, NJ — A coalition of Second Amendment organizations and individual plaintiffs has filed a federal lawsuit against New Jersey Attorney General

www.usacarry.com

 

[Red Leg]

Every now and then one reads something that really illustrates the apparently irreconcilable differences that exist between the wings of much of the country. Politicians on both sides all to readily pander to the more outlandish views in their respective camps.

I have no clue who Joe Mathews may be, though he is employed as a regular columnist for the San Francisco Chronical. His view is that the LA Olympics should be cancelled basically because Trump will use them as Hitler did the 36 Olympiad in Berlin.

This sounds as nutty to me as the US staged the Apollo landings. But the worrisome thing is that many of his readers accept his view and opinion as responsible and correct. One of last sentences of his screed, appearing in one of the two major California newspapers reads,

"Why on Earth should Californians spend our precious time and money on a fascist pageant for our oppressor?"

I find it more than a little concerning that it sounds more like something penned by a Che Guevara than Walter Lippman.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/cancel-summer-olympics-los-angeles-20785014.php

 

[skydiver386]

Referring back to the male and female dating etc issues.....this gives quite a few reasons why males are staying clear of the opposite sex.....promotion advert in middle but persevere to the end....seriously unbelievable and on the scary side....

Saw that exact video a few days ago.

The guys that post "I got a good wife, these guys need to get some GAME and they can get one too" have no clue what young men are up against with these man hating feminist women.

It doesn't matter that EVERY woman isn't like this.

There's a thing going around called the "Me Too" movement. They may want to look it up, since obviously they aren't keeping up with the news.

Even speaking or looking at a woman is a gamble for young men. At any given time, a woman can accuse a man of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape.

Rather than risk the destruction of their career, their reputation, and their financial future, most young men have decided the only smart move is not to play the game.

 

[deewayne2003]

The ranger is built in SA and Thailand amongst other countries....and let's say its reliability reputation isn't great..same with the fiesta..built in various countries around the world...so these aren't exactly made in usa models

My Toyota Tundra was built in San Antonio Texas, the USA has import tariffs on small trucks and hence why Toyota has so many manufacturing plants in the USA vs Mercedes which only has one plant located outside Germany and hence why they were freaking out over the tariffs.

Likewise the Ford custom transit is the most popular van in the UK and is sold in over 90 markets worldwide.

 

[PARA45]

When I was station in Sicily, I saw some really neat looking fords (small vehicles) that Sicilians loved driving around all decked out for street racing. Models I had never seen in the US.

 

[fourfive8]

Just got back from Mindanao (good example of current Asian vehicle market). Saw a lot of new Hilux and Ranger Raptors driving around the towns and major road systems but not out in the rural areas. Almost seems like they are status symbols… not unlike what I see driving around here, including the urban warriors from out of town with Texas and California plates .

I was talking to an expat friend there and he sees the same…, we agreed,…. no idea where they get the money for them other than they are driving around in all they have and borrowed up their eyeballs. The rest of the 4x4 and small SUV market seemed shared among a mixed bunch of knowns and unknowns. With small single motors (dirt bikes) still the king for tough rural access to villages. Our turbo diesel BT 50 Mazda, with about 25k miles on it, has no issues, does great in the rural areas and is still tight as new. This is the first time I’ve driven it. So far so good.

 

[deewayne2003]

Saw that exact video a few days ago.

The guys that post "I got a good wife, these guys need to get some GAME and they can get one too" have no clue what young men are up against with these man hating feminist women.

It doesn't matter that EVERY woman isn't like this.

There's a thing going around called the "Me Too" movement. They may want to look it us, since obviously they aren't keeping up with the news

Even speaking or looking at a woman is a gamble for young men. At any given time, a woman can accuse a man of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape.

Rather than risk the destruction of their career, their reputation and their financial future, most young men have decided the only smart move is not to play the game.

Well said sir!

Most of the elder statemen making these "I got a good wife, these guys need to get some GAME and they can get one too" comments have been married for decades and have no clue how social norms have changed and for the worse.

Just look at the issue with the TEA app leak - This app required women to provide a government issued ID to join and they were allowed to stay anonymous(until the leak!); but allowed them to post baseless reviews of men included personal information including their names, address, phone numbers, email address, ect.

Think of this as a google reviews where they get to post your personal information.

Imagine if you ex wives and girlfriends could post WHATEVER they wanted about you with no recourse for the sole purpose of other women being about to research you.

Then there is the issue of women complaining that no one approaches them, while years ago the #metoo movement had websites dedicated to "male aggressors" which led to women literally making up false allegations in a sick competition for victim gratification points.

 

[SaintPanzer]

My Toyota Tundra was built in San Antonio Texas, the USA has import tariffs on small trucks and hence why Toyota has so many manufacturing plants in the USA vs Mercedes which only has one plant located outside Germany and hence why they were freaking out over the tariffs.

Likewise the Ford custom transit is the most popular van in the UK and is sold in over 90 markets worldwide.

Wait, what? According to MB San Diego, in addition to the MB plant in Alabama, Mercedes also produces cars in France, Hungary, Romania, China, and South Africa.

https://www.mbsd.com/where-mercedes-benz-cars-made/

I lived in Germany for over ten years. I can tell you that SUVs are now more pervasive in Germany than ever, and when Stellantis bought Chrysler the number of RAMs seen on the road jumped appreciably. A friend of mine brought his F-250 over from the US, and not only were his neighbors fascinated, but he was getting cash offers for it on a daily basis.

To say there is "little demand" is not fully correct, and it does not take into account the additional costs necessary to export from the US, nor does it take into account the costs of creating a new network for sales, parts and service.

And for all the talk of bringing in the Hilux, I'd really like one of those Mercedes pick up trucks. But I'm weird enough to have brought over a Land Rover from the UK, so I'm probably not the best judge of that.

 

[Tanks]

Roy Cooper’s North Carolina Senate Run Boosts Democrats’ Hopes — The Wall Street Journal

Former governor aims to flip seat in state that has narrowly backed Trump

apple.news

Wonder if pushing Tillis out is going to cause the GOP to have 100% of nothing.

 

[deewayne2003]

Wait, what? According to MB San Diego, in addition to the MB plant in Alabama, Mercedes also produces cars in France, Hungary, Romania, China, and South Africa.

https://www.mbsd.com/where-mercedes-benz-cars-made/

I lived in Germany for over ten years. I can tell you that SUVs are now more pervasive in Germany than ever, and when Stellantis bought Chrysler the number of RAMs seen on the road jumped appreciably. A friend of mine brought his F-250 over from the US, and not only were his neighbors fascinated, but he was getting cash offers for it on a daily basis.

To say there is "little demand" is not fully correct, and it does not take into account the additional costs necessary to export from the US, nor does it take into account the costs of creating a new network for sales, parts and service.

And for all the talk of bringing in the Hilux, I'd really like one of those Mercedes pick up trucks. But I'm weird enough to have brought over a Land Rover from the UK, so I'm probably not the best judge of that.

The "Smart Fortwo" is the only full car, the rest of the plants mentioned in the article are parts manufactures.

The Alabama facility makes cars and there is one in South Carolina that makes vans.

In comparison Toyota has 11 plants in the USA and I believe that doesn't include their joint ventures with Mazada USA.

As stated earlier the Ford Fiesta is produced in India; with Ford having production plants in UK, Spain, Turkey, China and others - all told between full car production and parts manufacturing they have 120+ international facilities.