Fat, dumb, and happy

"The good news is Team Trump has some of the smartest men in the country working these deals. That being said, Trump will have the final say when a deal is fully cooked. What can we do to help? Be supportive. Don't bitch or whine. Be patient. This will all work out fine. But know this - we did elect a game changer. A world changer. Right now, we are getting what we paid for." 

Right now, the world is in a bit of turmoil due to the monkey wrench which was thrown into the world trade gearbox. Who threw it? Donald Trump. As uncomfortable and chaotic as things have been since that monkey wrench went flying, it was an important thing to do. Thus, I had to dredge a saying up from the past to make a point. Why? Even though the world trading was skipping along fat, dumb and happy - the United States was getting screwed. Most did not realize how much we were getting screwed until Donald Trump pulled the curtain back and exposed it. Ouch!

To really get the message out that the old ways of doing business, the fat, dumb and happy days are over - enter Liberation Day. This was the day Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs (sort of) on all our trading partners. For another country to escape from these new tariffs, they could do one of three things - 1) Don't trade with us anymore (fat chance on that one!), 2) lower or eliminate the tariffs they charge us (better chance on that one), or 3) build product in the US and then pay zero tariffs (Trump's first choice). 

Guess what? Many of our friends and foes who HATE this tariff thing, are now lining up at the door to make a deal with US. Even with that, for the waves to settle and the ground to quit shaking, it is going to take some time and patience. Trump has said many times; we don't just need a deal with other countries - we need the right deal. Trade barriers and tariffs need to be rightsized or eliminated. Are some overseas citizens really ticked off at us and our president? As they say in Minnesota, "You betcha!"

To get the right deal which would benefit the most people, it is tantamount to solving a Rubic's Cube and playing four-dimensional chess at the same time. In addition, Trump is smart enough as a negotiator to know you never leave the other side bleeding. A good solution to any negotiation is for both parties to leave the table challenged yet satisfied. Any outcome other than that can be a failure. Why? If the other side feels used or screwed, they will never trust you (or deal with you) - again.

The good news is Team Trump has some of the smartest men in the country working these deals. That being said, Trump will have the final say when a deal is fully cooked. What can we do to help? Be supportive. Don't bitch or whine. Be patient. This will all work out fine. But know this - we did elect a game changer. A world changer. Right now, we are getting what we paid for.