Politics Trump's Tariffs

[Kevin]

As part of Trump's trade war the method that overseas sites like Temu and Shein were able to sell & ship stuff to the US really cheap is about to end.

In recent years those types of sites have become popular as a source of low cost items for people on a budget. It's not uncommon to find the exact same merchandise on US sites like Amazon for double the price not even including shipping costs.

So, you've got three weeks to go binge shopping on cheap stuff because most of that stuff you listed sure isn't profitable enough to be sold by US manufacturers and you'll be paying more getting it from resellers. 👀

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/04/nx-s1-5350588/temu-shein-tariff-shopping

Popular e-commerce companies, including giants Shein and Temu, use the so-called "de minimis" exemption to ship tens of millions of packages — everything from end tables and lamps to shoes and underwear — to U.S. consumers every year.

So long as each individual package is worth $800 or less, they aren't required to pay import fees or go through typical customs inspections. But under an executive order signed by Trump Wednesday, that loophole will close on May 2.

These lower-value shipments will now face a tariff of 30% of the "value of the postal item containing goods for merchandise" with a minimum fee that will eventually rise to $50.

 

[Bella]

they are good for people who like building brick kits

 

[Kahuna]

Trump Tariffs hitting Mack Trucks now.

Mack Trucks Announces Layoffs And Says Tariffs Are To Blame - Jalopnik

Mack Trucks announced plans to lay off several hundred workers, and the truck manufacturer specifically blamed the Republican tariffs

www.jalopnik.com

 

[Kahuna]

China returning planes to Boeing

Boeing Caught In Tariff War Crossfire As Chinese Customers Return Jets In Protest - Jalopnik

President Trump's so-called reciprocal tariffs provoked the Chinese government to call on its airlines to boycott Boeing.

www.jalopnik.com

 

[Kevin]

I'm not exactly in the market for a new plane or Mack truck but folks who like to play with 3D printers are about to paying a lot more. Getting a Bambu printer for the house to play with was on my idea list. 😟

3D printing is about to get more expensive, if you can get it at all

Your next 3D printer might have to come from Facebook Marketplace.

www.tomshardware.com

 

[Kevin]

Just saw this this morning, Mazda makes the CX-50 for export to Canada at its Huntsville, Alabama, plant and will stop production on May 12 due to the tariffs.

Mazda to Pause US Production of CX-50 Cars Set for Canada - TT

Mazda will pause exporting one model type to Canada that it makes in the U.S. as a temporary countermeasure to President Donald Trump’s tariffs, a spokesperson said April 18.

www.ttnews.com

 

[Kahuna]

Microsoft is raising prices on the Xbox Series S and Series X

Microsoft is dramatically increasing the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S.

www.engadget.com

Instead of saying "tariffs" Microsoft is raising prices for "market conditions"! 🤣

 

[Kevin]

Microsoft is raising prices on the Xbox Series S and Series X

Microsoft is dramatically increasing the price of the Xbox Series X and Series S.

www.engadget.com

Instead of saying "tariffs" Microsoft is raising prices for "market conditions"! 🤣

Between that and Microsoft's embrace of other systems, with no new Xbox hardware announcements on the horizon, some fans won't be happy.