Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

crazytown

(7,277 posts)
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 12:36 PM Aug 2019

Trump Orders American Companies to 'Start Looking for an Alternative to China'

Source: New York Times

WASHINGTON — Hours after Beijing said it would increase tariffs on American goods in response to President Trump’s latest round of Chinese levies, the president ordered companies in the United States to stop doing business with China and warned of additional retaliation.

In a series of angry Twitter posts, Mr. Trump said “Our great American companies are hereby ordered to immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including bringing our companies HOME and making your products in the USA.”

The president also said he was ordering the United States Postal Service and private American companies like FedEx, Amazon and UPS to search packages from China for the opioid Fentanyl and refuse delivery.

“We don’t need China and, frankly, would be far better off without them,” Mr. Trump said on Twitter. “The vast amounts of money made and stolen by China from the United States, year after year, for decades, will and must STOP.”

It was not yet clear on Friday how Mr. Trump planned to carry out his demands, including ordering companies to begin seeking alternatives to China. Mr. Trump has routinely urged American companies to stop doing business in China and has viewed his tariffs as a way to prod them to move production. While some companies have begun looking for other places to locate their supply chains, including Vietnam, many businesses — particularly smaller ones — say such a move is costly, time-consuming and could put them out of business.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/business/china-tariffs-trump.html

55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Trump Orders American Companies to 'Start Looking for an Alternative to China' (Original Post) crazytown Aug 2019 OP
Does it need to be pointed out that a POTUS does not have the powers to do this, Eugene Aug 2019 #1
"Hereby Order" BlueIdaho Aug 2019 #24
He truly thinks he is the King. LastLiberal in PalmSprings Aug 2019 #51
Sadly he probably does have the power to do this. Voltaire2 Aug 2019 #42
The tajmahalification of America continues unabated The Liberal Lion Aug 2019 #2
Please don't drag Taj Mahal into it. tRump stole the name. The real Taj is a thing of beauty. Bernardo de La Paz Aug 2019 #21
Nowhere in this NY Times article does it note that Trump himself has all his branded clothing Nay Aug 2019 #3
NYTimes! Duppers Aug 2019 #10
And reporters should ask him about it. I'm sure he has a great excuse IronLionZion Aug 2019 #17
Where would he get MAGA hats made? sinkingfeeling Aug 2019 #23
Was just thinking that Rebl2 Aug 2019 #32
Interesting is it not. Wellstone ruled Aug 2019 #4
Stumpy won't embargo usofa .. Maxheader Aug 2019 #5
Ya vol mein fuhrer! Newest Reality Aug 2019 #6
In English? crazytown Aug 2019 #7
It's really "ja wohl" jmowreader Aug 2019 #13
It's time for the Fortune 100 SCVDem Aug 2019 #8
I can just envision millions of Americans walking around in rags.... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2019 #38
Mission Accomplished! SCVDem Aug 2019 #40
Feels good to see the EU stepping in and showing leadership... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2019 #41
just like the german industrialists stood up to hitler and staved off disaster. Voltaire2 Aug 2019 #43
Great idea! Advice from trump! Turbineguy Aug 2019 #9
"Our great American companies are hereby ordered .... IcyPeas Aug 2019 #11
Can you imagine the red-faced hyperventillating TheRealNorth Aug 2019 #28
Big business duforsure Aug 2019 #12
Prediction on a progressive talk show this morning, Pence & nikki haley are working behind the scene yaesu Aug 2019 #14
Fantasy maxsolomon Aug 2019 #18
but, we should spread this high & low, it will drive tRump even nuttier. nt yaesu Aug 2019 #19
They would have to get Faux News on board TheRealNorth Aug 2019 #36
fantasy games are fun! Voltaire2 Aug 2019 #44
Let's see if I have this right jmowreader Aug 2019 #15
He's confused again duforsure Aug 2019 #16
ORDERS??? LOL onetexan Aug 2019 #20
Is he starting with all of Ivanka's Chinese made junk? sinkingfeeling Aug 2019 #22
Omfg BadGimp Aug 2019 #25
I wonder how many millions of dollars Trump's friends have made by him tipping them off before he... WhoWoodaKnew Aug 2019 #26
First stop, Fox & Friends crazytown Aug 2019 #35
🦇💩🤪 Floyd R. Turbo Aug 2019 #27
"Orders"?! icymist Aug 2019 #29
Now which country do you think Trump intends to have all these American companies patphil Aug 2019 #30
Russia can't begin to compete with China on manufacturing. Voltaire2 Aug 2019 #45
I agree. patphil Aug 2019 #46
True, but we're talking about Trump here. The concepts of truth and logic are suspended. patphil Aug 2019 #52
Sure but he can't will an educated deficated Voltaire2 Aug 2019 #53
Ah, deficated means expelled from the anus. patphil Aug 2019 #54
Ah autocorrect sucks ass. Voltaire2 Aug 2019 #55
Maybe ck4829 Aug 2019 #47
ROFLOL!!! Guess Walmart is hearby ORDERED to CLOSE! Bengus81 Aug 2019 #31
Yeah! Rebl2 Aug 2019 #33
...... paleotn Aug 2019 #34
Guardian: 'I hereby order':Trump mocked for highly formal, meaningless decree Judi Lynn Aug 2019 #37
Haha ck4829 Aug 2019 #50
Twitter responds appropriately... KY_EnviroGuy Aug 2019 #39
+1 ck4829 Aug 2019 #49
Kick ck4829 Aug 2019 #48

Eugene

(61,592 posts)
1. Does it need to be pointed out that a POTUS does not have the powers to do this,
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 12:39 PM
Aug 2019

especially without Congress?

P.S. What happens if the companies look at the alternatives and determine they are not feasible?

BlueIdaho

(13,582 posts)
24. "Hereby Order"
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 03:05 PM
Aug 2019

Is not a Presidential power. He is a fucking idiot and the world is about to see just how big a fool he really is.

51. He truly thinks he is the King.
Mon Aug 26, 2019, 07:43 AM
Aug 2019

Saying he shouldn't be limited to two terms, telling free-market companies how to run their businesses (as if he's a sterling example), telling other countries what to do to please him, hanging out with other autocrats and disparaging elected officials -- he's drunk with power. And no one will stand up to him. The courts have, on occasion, but he's been quickly filling them with his unqualified but loyal lackeys.

And the SCOTUS? I just home RBG has a food-tester on staff.


Voltaire2

(12,610 posts)
42. Sadly he probably does have the power to do this.
Sat Aug 24, 2019, 11:09 AM
Aug 2019

Over the decades since WWII congress has enacted a series of 'national emergency' laws that have ceded a stunning amount of power to the executive branch to rule by decree. See the border wall bullshit.

Bernardo de La Paz

(48,775 posts)
21. Please don't drag Taj Mahal into it. tRump stole the name. The real Taj is a thing of beauty.
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 02:29 PM
Aug 2019

Call it the "casinofication" if you like. tRump bankrupted casinos. Casinos are all showy and facade and no real substance, like tRump's America which is easily distracted by a facade and fusilades of tweets.

Nay

(12,051 posts)
3. Nowhere in this NY Times article does it note that Trump himself has all his branded clothing
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 12:45 PM
Aug 2019

made in China and has not yet moved HIS manufacturing to the US!!

Why has that fact not been plastered all over this article??

 

Wellstone ruled

(34,661 posts)
4. Interesting is it not.
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 12:46 PM
Aug 2019

As far as Corporate America is concerned,well,there is nobody around to answer that question in the month of August. Everyone is on Vacation until after Labor Day.

Hunch says,lots of Vacations are ending prematurely today. The Racist Accused Rapist just shot himself in the foot again. Watch for a massive round of layoffs two weeks from today.

Newest Reality

(12,712 posts)
6. Ya vol mein fuhrer!
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 12:58 PM
Aug 2019

Or should it be: Po tvoyemu prikazu moy korol'? Or: בפקודתך מלךי

What kind of response is he expecting and does it have to be in English?

The fiat! The decree! All Hail!

jmowreader

(50,447 posts)
13. It's really "ja wohl"
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:23 PM
Aug 2019

And as for the Russian, "eb tvoyu mats, bl'yad" would be more appropriate for Trump.

 

SCVDem

(5,103 posts)
8. It's time for the Fortune 100
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:08 PM
Aug 2019

To float that they are looking to relocate ALL of their manufacturing to a Democratic country.

Git while the gittins' good!

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
38. I can just envision millions of Americans walking around in rags....
Sat Aug 24, 2019, 12:32 AM
Aug 2019

because we can't afford clothing made in the UK or Germany......

KY_EnviroGuy

(14,483 posts)
41. Feels good to see the EU stepping in and showing leadership...
Sat Aug 24, 2019, 12:53 AM
Aug 2019
Germany, France, Ireland threaten South American trade deal over Amazon wildfires
Brazil is facing global pressure to contain an 80% increase in wildfires in the world's largest rain forest. Berlin has called for guarantees for the Amazon to be included in the upcoming EU-South America trade deal.

Link: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-france-ireland-threaten-south-american-trade-deal-over-amazon-wildfires/a-50142518

(snip)
Germany on Friday warned the European Union's trade deal with the South American trade bloc Mercosur could be amended in an attempt to pressure Brazil to better protect the Amazon rain forest.

German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze made the comments in response to concerns about huge wildfires that are incinerating Brazilian sections of the tropical forest at a record rate as a result of illegal deforestation.

Schulze said advancing the unfinalized trade deal with Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay "would be irresponsible" unless it included clear guarantees of protection for the Amazon.

KY............

Voltaire2

(12,610 posts)
43. just like the german industrialists stood up to hitler and staved off disaster.
Sat Aug 24, 2019, 11:11 AM
Aug 2019

They are happily stashing away their low tax billions and living the high life. Not gonna change nothing.

IcyPeas

(21,737 posts)
11. "Our great American companies are hereby ordered ....
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:14 PM
Aug 2019

ummmm, and what if they don't follow your orders.

this idiot is causing havoc with his retaliatory tactics when he doesn't get his way.

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
12. Big business
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:16 PM
Aug 2019

Will now completely turn on him, and give to others running after this. He's burning his bridges with everyone, and every day the GOP allows this to continue, the more GOP seats in Congress will be lost.

yaesu

(8,020 posts)
14. Prediction on a progressive talk show this morning, Pence & nikki haley are working behind the scene
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:23 PM
Aug 2019

to replace tRump in 2020.

jmowreader

(50,447 posts)
15. Let's see if I have this right
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:30 PM
Aug 2019

Trump wants FedEx, UPS and the Postal Service to open every package from China to search it for fentanyl.

Doesn't ANYONE in the fucking Republican party understand how much this man hates America?

duforsure

(11,882 posts)
16. He's confused again
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 01:32 PM
Aug 2019

Big business is looking for an alternative to him. He's trying to cause a depression for Putin probably.

WhoWoodaKnew

(847 posts)
26. I wonder how many millions of dollars Trump's friends have made by him tipping them off before he...
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 03:13 PM
Aug 2019

Makes crazy tweets.

Surely we can track who is shorting and making a killing.

patphil

(6,024 posts)
30. Now which country do you think Trump intends to have all these American companies
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 04:38 PM
Aug 2019

set up shop in?

Could it be.....Russia?

Or, maybe he wants Greenland to use as a manufacturing base without any messy environmental rules.

patphil

(6,024 posts)
54. Ah, deficated means expelled from the anus.
Mon Aug 26, 2019, 07:01 PM
Aug 2019

Of course that may be exactly what you mean.
But...
if you meant an educated, dedicated workforce then I would say that Trump wouldn't want an educated workforce, only one dedicated to Trump.
In any event, logic and reason never carried any weight in Trump's "thought processes".
He only knows loyalty, and his loyalty is to Putin.
Thus I suggested Russia.
Trump wouldn't have a clue about the readiness of the Russian workforce, and wouldn't care either.
All he would see is a chance to appease his master.

Patrick Phillips

Judi Lynn

(160,211 posts)
37. Guardian: 'I hereby order':Trump mocked for highly formal, meaningless decree
Fri Aug 23, 2019, 10:27 PM
Aug 2019

Trump’s demand that US companies boycott China, which he doesn’t have the power to enforce, inspired responses on Twitter

Luke O'Neil
@lukeoneil47
Fri 23 Aug 2019 14.39 EDT

Leaning further into a burgeoning economic war with China of his own design, Donald Trump on Friday levied a series of bizarre demands of American companies who do business in the country.

They included an order for American firms to cease production in China.

“Our great American companies are hereby ordered to immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including bringing your companies HOME and making your products in the USA.”

The proclamation, which the president does not have the power to enforce, might have been expected to unleash a wave of panic and terror among America’s mostly capitalist citizenry – such state-mandated orders are, after all, the stuff of planned-economy communist countries.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/23/trump-hereby-order-response-president-mocked-decree
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Trump Orders American Com...