Politics

[spike.t]

Thats just extortion of Africa by another means..

China already wanted all of Africas raw materials..

What they don't have an appetite for is African consumer goods..

So they arent going to tax themselves any longer on importing African raw materials.. and they arent going to tarrif consumer goods that they weren't buying anyway...

Yup....

After $300bn promise, what next for Africa’s exports to China?

Trade between Africa and China looks set to reach the targets offered in 2021; but what will it take to shift it toward value addition on the continent?

african.business

 

[spike.t]

Bit of a double standard....wants outside companies to set up in usa, but doesn't like how tax works on usa companies in their original countries so will double tax them for operating in usa....

US threatens to double tax rates on UK firms under obscure 91-year-old rule

The Trump administration is considering invoking a rarely used 1930s tax rule to double the rate on UK companies operating in the US, escalating tensions beyond tariffs.

bmmagazine.co.uk

 

[spike.t]

Personal hunting trophies not included in the tariffs....

Sport-Hunted Trophies Exempt from New U.S. Import Tariffs - Safari Club

Safari Club International has been informed that personal sport-hunted trophies shipped to the United States are exempt from the new tariffs on imported

safariclub.org

 

[spike.t]

Wonder who knows what the actual "plan" is....

Trump's game of chicken over tariffs leaves world guessing

The US president is pressing ahead with his global tariffs, as even some allies wonder if he is going too far.

www.bbc.com

 

[rigbymauser]

Id say thats a classic example of a pot calling a kettle black... as I hear a lot of Europeans blaming Americans for all of their woes these days (in this thread fairly often as a matter of fact)...

true that much of Europe doesn't have the same problems (or to the same degree) that the US has...

but to believe Europe is remotely close to some sort of Utopia or is in a better place financially or socially is nothing short of ridiculous..

Theres a reason many financial analysts and economists are already predicting the 2020's to be another "lost decade" for the European economy.. (similar to the 2010 decade that most agree was a complete loss for Europe in terms of any gains to be made in growth or stability.. )...

Despite Europe knowing how to build fine cars, watches, and rifles.. It is hamstrung with low productivity which is a major contributor for its slow growth economy..

Economic policy has contributed in a HUGE way to the economic problems Europe faces (your politicians suck every bit as much as ours).. For example the European Central Bank raised rates an an attempt to combat inflation which in turn negatively impacted economic activity..

Lets not even bother to try to list all of the social issues.. the Human Rights Watch 2024 report goes into great detail about problems tied to mass migrant admission into Europe and how that has spurned issues with discrimination, poverty, inequality, significant issues with the adherence to rule of law, etc..etc..

The US is far from perfect..

But Id venture a guess that there are still far more Europeans wanting to migrate to the US than there are US citizens actively trying to migrate to Europe... other than Rosie O'Donnel.. and Id guess most Americans are pretty happy shes gone, and hope that you guys keep her..

I like you Mr west.

I concure.

However the only thing I may object is the desire of "america". That is somewhat gone. Had we talked 40 years ago I would say yes!. Its becomming clear for many europeans(and americans too) that europe is actually a great place to live. Why do you believe as an american a life is just so much better where you are versus where I am?. Where does it come from?.

In regards to Rosie...I surrender. You got me...:LOL

 

[mdwest]

It comes from being blessed by a career path that has allowed me to travel and spend time in more than 110 countries and having the opportunity to observe the culture, people, politics, systems, etc of those countries..

The US isn’t perfect.. not by a very long shot..

But I’ll take it long term over any European country I’ve spent time in.

That’s not to say that I would not consider living abroad. I have lived for months at a time in a handful of other countries (work related) and have enjoyed it… but nowhere in Europe would be on my list of places to settle down long term..

Short term there are many places that I like and would enjoy visiting for a few months longer then I already have..

And that’s also not to say that everywhere in the US is preferable.. there are parts of the US I wouldn’t live in under any circumstances.. I’d actually prefer some place in Europe.. for example there is nowhere on the US west coast I would chose to live..

Again, the US is certainly not perfect.. we have our problems..

One of our problems is our far leftists want to take us down a path that gives us a system of government and policies that look more and more like Europe..

I much prefer our lack of socialized systems, freedoms (although many become increasingly infringed all the time), our economy and our ability to earn, and our hunting opportunities and freedoms over what much of Europe offers.. our firearms rights are also preferable to me (although those continue to diminish as well)..

 

[rigbymauser]

It comes from being blessed by a career path that has allowed me to travel and spend time in more than 110 countries and having the opportunity to observe the culture, people, politics, systems, etc of those countries..

The US isn’t perfect.. not by a very long shot..

But I’ll take it long term over any European country I’ve spent time in.

That’s not to say that I would not consider living abroad. I have lived for months at a time in a handful of other countries (work related) and have enjoyed it… but nowhere in Europe would be on my list of places to settle down long term..

Short term there are many places that I like and would enjoy visiting for a few months longer then I already have..

And that’s also not to say that everywhere in the US is preferable.. there are parts of the US I wouldn’t live in under any circumstances.. I’d actually prefer some place in Europe.. for example there is nowhere on the US west coast I would chose to live..

Again, the US is certainly not perfect.. we have our problems..

One of our problems is our far leftists want to take us down a path that gives us a system of government and policies that look more and more like Europe..

I much prefer our lack of socialized systems, freedoms (although many become increasingly infringed all the time), our economy and our ability to earn, and our hunting opportunities and freedoms over what much of Europe offers.. our firearms rights are also preferable to me (although those continue to diminish as well)..

One of my ideal places to live in the US is in the Smokey mountains. Been there a lot. Also in Savannah Georgia and along to coastal strech going south towards Florida. Whats not to like?.

In regards to freedoms. Ofcouse you enjoy atleast one freedom we do not have is the right for gunownership. BUt hey we can own guns. Its not forbidden to own guns. Just within 25 min drive from where I am sitting we have several pistol and rifleranges, clayshooting ranges and some combatshooting too. 20min drive from here I can have my boat by a nearby harbour(if I had a boat). 10 min drive we have nice nice Golfcourses. My "carrierjob" is less than 30min drive from here. If I want to enjoy rural life my wife and I have a cottage an hours drive and we are sitting on our pourch with no noise but bird chirping and deers at the feeder. Here I can unleash my doublerifles(if needed). My family lives in Schweizerland. If I need mountains I go there. My sister has a house in the alps just two hours from Zürichwith 360degree breathtaking views. I am not complaining and like you I could find places in Sudan(or Kansas) I would prefere to live than places europe.

 

[Altitude sickness]

China playing the tariff game ......

https://twitter.com/x/status/1908876105764716734

Hopefully China gets bogged down defending its investments and infrastructure in terrorist sanctuary African nations. Let them deal with it. And all the other baggage they will need to deal with.

They are basically buying a money pit.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Worth remembering that the US is not an economy based on tangible goods.

It is an economy based primarily on services, and intangible goods, and IP. The stuff that has fuelled the US economy ever since someone thought that 'the internet' might be a good idea.

Trump has focused on goods for a reason. The US runs a deficit on goods, but a massive surplus on services. Huge chunks of the revenue of the largest companies in the US.. comes from foreign markets.

Foreigners might not buy American cheese, or automobiles, or steel. But you can be sure they buy licenses for Windows. And financial services. And they buy advertising on Google, and stuff on Amazon, and watch US movies, and play US computer games...

If the world really wants to retaliate against Trump, they have some strong options.

20% tariffs on Italian wine? Fine. 20% tariffs on Facebook ad revenue in Italy.

50% tariffs on Chinese goods? Fine. All US held patents have no legal standing in china.

20% tariffs on Japanese cars? Fine, 20% tariffs on all finacial services provided by US companies in Japan.

The same could be done to Google, or to Apple, or JP Morgan, or to Microsoft, or any number of US companies. And that's when the US would really start to feel it.

It's the nuclear option if course, but the reason the nasdaq especially isn't tanking as hard as foreign markets is mostly because no country has yet decided to play hard ball.

They're retaliating against the goods where the US runs a deficit. The stuff that isn't integral to the US economy. The areas where they have much less bargaining power. Not the stuff that the US actually does export and where their actions would hurt the most.

But they might if this continues much longer. No one wants that, least of all the US.

Most of what you describe is already happening on a smaller scale. That is why we are here.

China has very little innovation due to citizens and companies not having ownership and an entrepreneurial attitude. So they steal everyone else technology.

China has been trying to bully Tech companies for a “Kill Switch” for decades. In fact Facebook is testifying to Congress over that issue. They are accused of giving China a Kill Switch. To use during any uprising or protest.

So if China thought they would use Facebook or Google for free. It would quickly be shut off to that nation like a faucet.

Most nations have full capability to monitor, censor or shut off the Internet to their respective nation. in case things get out of hand for that government.

This article shows many nations have declared the internet as a basic human right. But it’s never been codified in law.


Plus Al Gore and the NSA have not signed off on that declaration.

Life Without Internet? Kill Switch, Governments Can Shutdown Internet ?

Is the Internet Not a Fundamental Human Right?

medium.com

 

[rigbymauser]

For example - America has: Alamo, Davy Crocket, Vietnam memorial, Mount Rushmore, civil war, American revolution, John Wayne, Seargant York, George Washington, Bill of rights, Rough riders, etc... It is one history, leading the nation to this point of time.

What does Europe have?
Individual proud European nations fought the wars between each other since Ancient Greece, with history of 2000 years of wars.
This created European history, modern states, and their national identities, with strongly integrated culture, moral and ethics that streamed from various Christian religions. Mainly: Roman Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants which are very similar in their core values and ethics.
This also created the moral and nucleus of traditional society, a family (till modern times).

Now, enter EU. 30 years ago.
What symbols can EU offer to unite all nations? Well, religion, obviously not. Those are different religions, and new religions are also welcome. And they cannot favor one against any other.

Joint history, heroes, famous battles?
Well, nobody fought and died for EU, 50 years, 100 years, or 200 hundred years ago? EU does not have heroes.

I simply had to return to this one after give it some thoughts. Should I say anything or leave this person in his believe??...

Europe consist of many individual countries so I speak from my(Denmark).

We have had several "warheroes" over recent history but what do you know really about history except what Hollywood has educated you with?
We have had several danes in the Franco/Pressia war, boerwar, WW1 and ww2. Some fought from the "other side". My grandfather fought in the winterwar 1939 on Finlands side and later in Waffen SS against Trumps friends in Russia(hahaha). Several danes fought in the SS against communist but also did atrocities too. We have 2 two danes who ever to recieve the British Victoria Cross outside England. Thomas Dinesen(brother of Karen Blixen) and Anders Lassen.
Christian Frederik von Schalburg who fought bravery until last breath and I could keep on going. As for other european nations I am sure there is a lot but they are not objects of worship and none of them went to Hollywood strike it rich and to educate americans in history. And yes we have war memorials but again what do you know?. Btw..next time you go to Mount Rushmore think of Denmark. If you don`t know why...ask around.

In regards to bravery: Are there bravery to be found fighting mexicans?(Hollywood think so)

 

[WAB]

Most of what you describe is already happening on a smaller scale. That is why we are here.

China has very little innovation due to citizens and companies not having ownership and an entrepreneurial attitude. So they steal everyone else technology.

China has been trying to bully Tech companies for a “Kill Switch” for decades. In fact Facebook is testifying to Congress over that issue. They are accused of giving China a Kill Switch. To use during any uprising or protest.

So if China thought they would use Facebook or Google for free. It would quickly be shut off to that nation like a faucet.

Most nations have full capability to monitor, censor or shut off the Internet to their respective nation. in case things get out of hand for that government.

This article shows many nations have declared the internet as a basic human right. But it’s never been codified in law.


Plus Al Gore and the NSA have not signed off on that declaration.

Life Without Internet? Kill Switch, Governments Can Shutdown Internet ?

Is the Internet Not a Fundamental Human Right?

medium.com

I agree with much of what you have said. However, the lack of entrepreneurship and innovation in China is incorrect. They have a stronger capitalist spirit than we do and their innovation is incredible. This is all tempered by the government which sets somewhat variable parameters within which they must operate.

I will give one example. In heavy oil conversion there is a unit called an RFCC (resid fluid catalytic cracker) that converts heavy oil into gasoline and diesel weight intermediates. A enabling component in this unit is the catalyst cooler. It is very difficult to design and maintain. The Chinese came up with a new design that was a game changer in this application, beyond anything Western engineers had been able to design.

As to stealing technology, they absolutely do. They see no moral issue with this and view it as part of their innovation. I licensed an old technology to the Chinese company we held a minority interest in. The CEO pestered me for newer technology which I repeatedly refused. He asked me why and verbatim I said ‘because you will steal it’. He smiled, nodded, and didn’t ask again. He wasn’t the least offended that I said he would steal it.

 

[PARA45]

Scott Bessent says up to 70 nations want to negotiate over Trump's tariffs​

Scott Bessent says up to 70 nations want to negotiate over Trump's tariffs

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent weighed in on America’s tariff negotiations with other countries during a late Monday afternoon appearance on "Kudlow."

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[Altitude sickness]

resid fluid catalytic cracker

A two second Internet search.

While China has made significant advancements in residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) technology and catalysts, it did not invent or perfect the technology itself. The Houdry processpioneered by Eugene Jules Houdryin the 1930s is considered the origin of catalytic cracking, and Exxon Research & Engineering Co. (ER&E)further developed the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process.

They stole a process that was invented in the 30s and the government refined it not an individual or innovative company. This is a perfect example of what I was talking about. They steal the technology. They may improve it, which they of course often do. The original invention is the hard part.

No one could deny they’re very hard-working, crafty resourceful, and actually smart. Let everybody else do the heavy lifting and then just steal. It is the big part of the Tariff issue. not just trade-in balance, but it’s also currency manipulation and theft of technology.

 

[Tubby’s Canteen]

A two second Internet search.

While China has made significant advancements in residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) technology and catalysts, it did not invent or perfect the technology itself. The Houdry processpioneered by Eugene Jules Houdryin the 1930s is considered the origin of catalytic cracking, and Exxon Research & Engineering Co. (ER&E)further developed the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process.

They stole a process that was invented in the 30s and the government refined it not an individual or innovative company. This is a perfect example of what I was talking about. They steal the technology. They may improve it, which they of course often do. The original invention is the hard part.

No one could deny they’re very hard-working, crafty resourceful, and actually smart. Let everybody else do the heavy lifting and then just steal. It is the big part of the Tariff issue. not just trade-in balance, but it’s also currency manipulation and theft of technology.

how many v2 German rocket scientists were involved in the first space flight? How much accredited to Edson did Tesla actually invent? The list goes on and on human nature is to steal good ideas and strive to make anything better it’s what has allowed our species to survive and rise above the beasts. Image a world where no one was willing to steal and improve the wheel from the first inventor, we’d still be discussing the preferred caliber of rocks around a campfire.

 

[mdwest]

One of my ideal places to live in the US is in the Smokey mountains. Been there a lot. Also in Savannah Georgia and along to coastal strech going south towards Florida. Whats not to like?.

In regards to freedoms. Ofcouse you enjoy atleast one freedom we do not have is the right for gunownership. BUt hey we can own guns. Its not forbidden to own guns. Just within 25 min drive from where I am sitting we have several pistol and rifleranges, clayshooting ranges and some combatshooting too. 20min drive from here I can have my boat by a nearby harbour(if I had a boat). 10 min drive we have nice nice Golfcourses. My "carrierjob" is less than 30min drive from here. If I want to enjoy rural life my wife and I have a cottage an hours drive and we are sitting on our pourch with no noise but bird chirping and deers at the feeder. Here I can unleash my doublerifles(if needed). My family lives in Schweizerland. If I need mountains I go there. My sister has a house in the alps just two hours from Zürichwith 360degree breathtaking views. I am not complaining and like you I could find places in Sudan(or Kansas) I would prefere to live than places europe.

I lived just a 30 minute drive from the Smokey Mountains for 10 years (Knoxville, Tennessee), and have spent a good bit of time in Savannah, GA over the years as well. Both are wonderful places. I’d move back to East Tennessee tomorrow, but my wife isn’t interested. I think we will likely retire somewhere in the Ozark Mountains, which are similar in appearance, but are not nearly as beautiful in my opinion.

The Alps of Switzerland are absolutely incredible. I’ve only spent a small amount of time in Zurich once, but did have occasion to be in Davos twice for a week while attending the WEF. While I’m not a fan of the function (I was there in a support role), Davos itself was a wonderful experience.. beautiful little town, that is postcard perfect in almost every way…

Its funny you mention Sudan.. I’ve actually spent a lot of time in both Sudan and South Sudan… my firm held a contract in Juba that required me to spend 1-2 weeks there 4x times a year for for a 5 year period. Strangely I really enjoyed both Juba and Khartoum.. in Juba there’s a small but vibrant expat community, and it was an exciting period to be there (they had just become an independent country and we were working to assist them in forming a critical component of their government)… and Khartoum is a truly old world city that still in many ways clings to a North African way of life dating to the mid 1800s… despite the Sudan government not being on friendly terms with the US government I found the people very welcoming and incredibly interesting…

Of course the most sick/ill I think I’ve ever been in my life was after getting severe food poisoning in Juba.. being treated by a Somali “doctor” in a dirt floored hut with a glass jar IV of unknown solution and being given a series of tablets that he swore were cipro, but I am certain they were not, I learned to be much more careful about my health and wellness while traveling the area lol…

 

[WAB]

A two second Internet search.

While China has made significant advancements in residue fluid catalytic cracking (RFCC) technology and catalysts, it did not invent or perfect the technology itself. The Houdry processpioneered by Eugene Jules Houdryin the 1930s is considered the origin of catalytic cracking, and Exxon Research & Engineering Co. (ER&E)further developed the fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) process.

They stole a process that was invented in the 30s and the government refined it not an individual or innovative company. This is a perfect example of what I was talking about. They steal the technology. They may improve it, which they of course often do. The original invention is the hard part.

No one could deny they’re very hard-working, crafty resourceful, and actually smart. Let everybody else do the heavy lifting and then just steal. It is the big part of the Tariff issue. not just trade-in balance, but it’s also currency manipulation and theft of technology.

You missed my point completely. I did not say that they invented RFCC technology. What I said was that the catalyst cooler was the enabler and the most difficult component to design, operate and maintain. The Chinese took a completely novel approach to this cooler. Something that was not an improvement on our designs, it was a completely new design. It was so good that Foster Wheeler licensed it and it is now the standard technology in this application.

 

[mdwest]

Scott Bessent says up to 70 nations want to negotiate over Trump's tariffs​

Scott Bessent says up to 70 nations want to negotiate over Trump's tariffs

Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent weighed in on America’s tariff negotiations with other countries during a late Monday afternoon appearance on "Kudlow."

www.foxbusiness.com

One of the things most interesting about the tariffs is…

No one seems to care about Ukraine anymore..

No one is clamoring to see the Epstein client list…

No one is talking about the process underway to dismantle the Dept of Education..

No one is raising hell about the most recent DOGE cut..

No one is talking about the NATO 2% issue…

The American people love chasing the most recent and shiney object..

If tariffs become to hot of a topic, I feel certain DC will roll out another new highly controversial objective for us all to focus on.. while they continue to work the tariffs in the background…

 

[WAB]

You missed my point completely. I did not say that they invented RFCC technology. What I said was that the catalyst cooler was the enabler and the most difficult component to design, operate and maintain. The Chinese took a completely novel approach to this cooler. Something that was not an improvement on our designs, it was a completely new design. It was so good that Foster Wheeler licensed it and it is now the standard technology in this application.

Oh, and by the way, I was talking about RFCC, not FCC. The FCC process was designed and is still deployed for the conversion of gasoil into gasoline and distillate intermediates. The RFCC modified this process to allow addition of residual oil conversion (in combination with gasoil).

I have a fairly deep background in refining processes. If you would like to get into the minute details, I am happy to do so, but it is probably an unnecessary sideline in the politics thread. I was simply using the RFCC catalyst cooler as an example of Chinese innovation.

 

[Red Leg]

I lived just a 30 minute drive from the Smokey Mountains for 10 years (Knoxville, Tennessee), and have spent a good bit of time in Savannah, GA over the years as well. Both are wonderful places. I’d move back to East Tennessee tomorrow, but my wife isn’t interested. I think we will likely retire somewhere in the Ozark Mountains, which are similar in appearance, but are not nearly as beautiful in my opinion.

The Alps of Switzerland are absolutely incredible. I’ve only spent a small amount of time in Zurich once, but did have occasion to be in Davos twice for a week while attending the WEF. While I’m not a fan of the function (I was there in a support role), Davos itself was a wonderful experience.. beautiful little town, that is postcard perfect in almost every way…

Its funny you mention Sudan.. I’ve actually spent a lot of time in both Sudan and South Sudan… my firm held a contract in Juba that required me to spend 1-2 weeks there 4x times a year for for a 5 year period. Strangely I really enjoyed both Juba and Khartoum.. in Juba there’s a small but vibrant expat community, and it was an exciting period to be there (they had just become an independent country and we were working to assist them in forming a critical component of their government)… and Khartoum is a truly old world city that still in many ways clings to a North African way of life dating to the mid 1800s… despite the Sudan government not being on friendly terms with the US government I found the people very welcoming and incredibly interesting…

Of course the most sick/ill I think I’ve ever been in my life was after getting severe food poisoning in Juba.. being treated by a Somali “doctor” in a dirt floored hut with a glass jar IV of unknown solution and being given a series of tablets that he swore were cipro, but I am certain they were not, I learned to be much more careful about my health and wellness while traveling the area lol…

Not a political comment, but yes, Shigella is not for the faint of heart. I was hit with it during the Gulf War up on the Iraqi border a couple of months before things became less boring. I was the Brigade operations officer and the only US Arab linguist within a couple of hundred miles. Corps Artillery had set up and occupied forward assembly areas along Tapline Road, and for a couple of weeks. I spent too much time visiting local sheiks seeking forgiveness rather than permission for use of that terrain. None of these "rural" fellows were exactly English speaking MIT technocrats.

I am pretty sure it was the dates that nailed me at one of those meetings. In any case, I was fine when I stepped out of the HMMWV and not so fine when I staggered into the latrine five minutes later. After emptying myself at both ends, I managed to make it to the Brigade surgeon's tent and that is all I remember for the next few hours. I think they ran four IV bags and managed to get two Cipro tablets down my throat. By the next day, I was reasonably recovered. Like my Amex Card, I never leave home without a bottle.

 

[GuttormG]

The American people love chasing the most recent and shiney object..

Not just Americans, Europe is now all about how horrible Trump is. The hate for Putin and concern for the wellbeing of Hamas is gone.