[Politics] Donald Trump, US President

[Stato]

Apart from a successful impeachment, would there be any legitimate ways of removing him?
do they do things like “votes of confidence?” Of which he probably wouldn’t take any notice anyway.

Not removing him, but they could stop the tariffs. Congress actually delegated its authority over tariffs to the executive and could revoke this authority. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-does-the-executive-branch-have-so-much-power-over-tariffs/

However, this decision would have to be made by a Republican led congress. In other words, it won't be. Similarly, they won't be impeaching him. If the Democrats had any nous, they would be pushing loudly for congress to revoke the authority on the grounds that there are no guard rails to prevent ideologically motivated loons from running roughshod over the country's economic norms. It won't happen, but it would paint Republicans in Congress as culpable for the madness in advance of the mid terms. The Democrats won't do it, because if they subsequently were to win control, they would have painted themselves into a corner where they had to actually do something. Their reluctance to ever do anything is one of the reasons that the voters have elected a president who is obviously determined to destroy government.

 

[raymondo]

Not removing him, but they could stop the tariffs. Congress actually delegated its authority over tariffs to the executive and could revoke this authority. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-does-the-executive-branch-have-so-much-power-over-tariffs/

However, this decision would have to be made by a Republican led congress. In other words, it won't be. Similarly, they won't be impeaching him. If the Democrats had any nous, they would be pushing loudly for congress to revoke the authority on the grounds that there are no guard rails to prevent ideologically motivated loons from running roughshod over the country's economic norms. It won't happen, but it would paint Republicans in Congress as culpable for the madness in advance of the mid terms. The Democrats won't do it, because if they subsequently were to win control, they would have painted themselves into a corner where they had to actually do something. Their reluctance to ever do anything is one of the reasons that the voters have elected a president who is obviously determined to destroy government.

But I think if the Dems win control it'll be because they have a leader/leading group that clearly will do things... hopefully

 

[SouthSaxon]

This is good from Max Hastings on the current dismantling of US democracy through state capture. It’s easy to get lost in the scale of what’s happening.

https://archive.is/dEKQN

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Words defy how truly offensive and obnoxious the occupant of the Oval Office is.

At the Republican dinner event @Greg Bobkin mentioned above

He proclaimed: "These countries are calling me up, kissing my ass... they are dying to make a deal..."

Summing up how countries were apparently grovelling, Trump claimed: "'Please, please, sir, make a deal. I'll do anything'."

Tariffs latest: Trump says countries 'dying to make a deal' are 'kissing my a**' - as 104% rate on China kicks in

Donald Trump has imposed a 104% tariff on some Chinese imports to the US, as well as further levies on around 60 countries he calls the "worst offenders". Listen to the latest episode of The World podcast - on when and why Trump's poll rating could drop - as you scroll.

news.sky.com

I'm willing to bet the US' national debt that what he's said there is absolute bollocks.

 

[SouthSaxon]

China just announced it’s going to 84% tariffs on the US from tomorrow.

As ever, The Simpsons has already portrayed what’s happening:

 

[Peteinblack]

Dig, baby, dig.
Blow, hurricanes, blow.
Pour, torrential rains, pour.
Burn, forest fires, burn.
Rise, sea levels, rise.

 

[A1X]

Apart from a successful impeachment, would there be any legitimate ways of removing him?
do they do things like “votes of confidence?” Of which he probably wouldn’t take any notice anyway.

The Vice President can invoke the 25th Amendment

Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This assumes the VP is not himself batshit crazy, of course. Although I suppose you could have a situation like that episode of Peep Show where they all keep trying to section each other.

 

[Brian Munich]

Apart from a successful impeachment, would there be any legitimate ways of removing him?
do they do things like “votes of confidence?” Of which he probably wouldn’t take any notice anyway.

The most likely scenario remains a 79-year-old heart attack.

 

[Albion my Albion]

The most likely scenario remains a 79-year-old heart attack.

Thoughts and prayers.

 

[beorhthelm]

China just announced it’s going to 84% tariffs on the US from tomorrow.

at this point it's effectively a trade embargo each way. companies aren't going to place orders and risk doubling their prices, they'll look elsewhere or just tell customers to come back later. saw a post showing analysis from JPMorgan that at 54%, the earnings for most US retailers is down 100-200% with one down 500%. the margins dont support these price rises on high volume goods. it will be maybe a week or so until the penny drops and Republicans demand the tariff policy is reversed, at the very least down to something sustainable like 10-20%.

from what i see the other countries aren't doing the deal expected. they've read Trump at face value and offered 0 tariffs, then US says do more for non-tariff barriers. they haven't gone back on that, most likely cant, too damaging for them or willing to hold out.

 

[SouthSaxon]

at this point it's effectively a trade embargo each way. companies aren't going to place orders and risk doubling their prices, they'll look elsewhere or just tell customers to come back later. saw a post showing analysis from JPMorgan that at 54%, the earnings for most US retailers is down 100-200% with one down 500%. the margins dont support these price rises on high volume goods. it will be maybe a week or so until the penny drops and Republicans demand the tariff policy is reversed, at the very least down to something sustainable like 10-20%.

from what i see the other countries aren't doing the deal expected. they've read Trump at face value and offered 0 tariffs, then US says do more for non-tariff barriers. they haven't gone back on that, most likely cant, too damaging for them or willing to hold out.

US supply chains are so intertwined with China that it’s a self-embargo, and there’s only going to be one winner.

Even before Trump upped the tariff this week, iPhones were set for a >$300 price increase.

China is far less exposed, having taken steps to reduce its vulnerability since Trump’s 1st term:

China unlikely to blink first as Trump’s trade war enters uncharted new territory

Since Trump’s first trade war with China in 2018, Beijing has ramped up trade with other countries, making it less dependent on the US

www.theguardian.com

 

[Deportivo Seagull]

Thoughts and prayers.

I think you meant ‘dancing on his grave singing hallelujah’

 

[Albion my Albion]

I think you meant ‘dancing on his grave singing hallelujah’

thoughts & prayers to make it happen then when it happens the rejoicing will begin.

 

[Brovion]

U.S. MAGA know-it-all gets politely schooled on how tariffs work, by expert.

Saw a good description of the MAGA lot in a BBC comment: 'MAGA louts'

You lot all probably know of the expression already, but it made me chuckle.

 

[Bozza]

Just catching up with the latest news, and it dawned on me that I am currently #TeamChina, which is just bizarre.

What this thick, narcissistic, evil economic and cultural vandal has achieved in just a few short weeks is astounding.

And I don't use "achieved" and "astounding" in a positive sense.

 

[essbee1]

Just catching up with the latest news, and it dawned on me that I am currently #TeamChina, which is just bizarre.

What this thick, narcissistic, evil economic and cultural vandal has achieved in just a few short weeks is astounding.

And I don't use "achieved" and "astounding" in a positive sense.

Me too. I don't blame China. That **** trump started it.

 

[Peteinblack]

The most likely scenario remains a 79-year-old heart attack.

 

[Brian Munich]

thoughts & prayers to make it happen then when it happens the rejoicing will begin.

I'm making a rather large assumption that Vance would use the opportunity to see sense and roll back the tariffs on the basis that it would probably end his political career if he didn't.

 

[schmunk]

The most likely scenario remains a 79-year-old heart attack.

Melania doing her bit as a Russian asset by staying the hell away...

 

[Greg Bobkin]

US supply chains are so intertwined with China that it’s a self-embargo, and there’s only going to be one winner.

Even before Trump upped the tariff this week, iPhones were set for a >$300 price increase.

China is far less exposed, having taken steps to reduce its vulnerability since Trump’s 1st term:

China unlikely to blink first as Trump’s trade war enters uncharted new territory

Since Trump’s first trade war with China in 2018, Beijing has ramped up trade with other countries, making it less dependent on the US

www.theguardian.com

This is one aspect I don't understand, because the US relies SO much on China (and what it produces) that there is no way that it would be able to replicate the production network – nor produce the amount of stuff that the US needs. Especially not in such a short space of time. Trump keeps banging on about bringing production back and getting factories up and running, but that's a MASSIVE investment for companies – one that there is no guaranteed return.

Also, Trump and his cronies (especially that really patronising commerce/tariffs guy whose name escapes me – Ludnick or something?) regularly talk about how countries aren't taking their beef or chicken or whatever, but why would they? Why would, say, the UK, need another supply chain of meat when what it's got is perfectly fine? It's like the argument with cars. You don't see big Ford or GM trucks over here because a) they aren't fit for purpose and b) they are shitboxes compared to European/Asian models! I remember going to the US years ago and seeing an Audi Q7 and thinking it looked small over there. And it's a HUGE vehicle!