Tariffs

[u666sa]

An interesting thing for them to be focused on

A lot of U.S. business is hiding in London. For example Leonid Radvinsky, fled to U.S. is a U.S. citizen, billionaire, we talking about OnlyFans here, the company. However, OnlyFans is in London. Here we have a fine example of tax evasion, be it all legit under current laws, but none-the-less.

This is just one example of companies evading taxes abroad. Obviously there are many many more.

What tariffs suppose to do is equalize things and people like Radvinsky. Why the hell should he not pay taxes, work essentially for foreign economy.

[u666sa]

However, I wonder about Chevy (General Motors) instead of Ford.

I just come from Chevy dealership. Was looking at a track. 46 out of the door. Fuel mileage, get this, I drove there toyota chr, 27 combined, that thing suppose to give 25 combined. I not my old self, I used to be a led foot, I drive slow and let idiots go by, I call them anti-radars, I could get 25 - 26 combined on that thing. That would be one of my options.

[u666sa]

U.S. and China will hold trade talks in switzerland.

[tom66]

Ford is focusing on larger SUVs and trucks.  Focus and Fiesta are discontinued or soon to be discontinued in EU and USA.   Such vehicles have larger price tags now, so customers expect a lot more "luxury" in them to compensate for the higher price.  This makes them a lot more dependent on foreign components as this luxury usually comes with demands on technology.  I am sure the tariffs will hit them badly.

I'm not quite sure 'larger SUVs' is the right term. Sure an SUV looks larger, but I have noticed our Ford Focus Station (estate) cars have more room for luggage compared to a 'SUV' sold in the same class / price range. It is a pity to see a style of cars which is actually practicle to use, go away.

It depends on manufacturer, but e.g. EcoSport and Puma are replacing Fiesta in Europe, and both are noticeably bigger:
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ford-fiesta-2017-5-door-hatchback-vs-ford-ecosport-2017-suv/front/
https://www.carsized.com/en/cars/compare/ford-fiesta-2017-5-door-hatchback-vs-ford-puma-2019-suv/front/

It is true that in Europe the 'baby SUV' has taken off, which is really just a hatchback on stilts (e.g. Nissan Juke  ...)  Offering similar space inside, often a bit less, than a regular hatchback, but sitting visibly higher.

In the US though Ford are not making baby SUVs, they are focusing only on F-series trucks and larger SUVs (e.g. Explorer, Escape), and the Mustang...

[SteveThackery]

So long as we pick nits, other countries' names also start with "United States", including the "United Mexican States" (Estados Unidos Mexicanos).
https://apps.law.wustl.edu/GSLR/CitationManual/countries/mexico.pdf
Also, the "United States of Brazil" until  1967.
In years past, very few people cited the full "Union of Soviet Socialist Republics" instead of the common abbreviation "USSR" or "CCCP".

I live in the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Thank goodness we shorten it to "the UK".

Anyway, way off topic - sorry.

[tggzzz]

I live in the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Thank goodness we shorten it to "the UK".

Anyway, way off topic - sorry.

One of CGP Grey's excellent youtube videos was on that subject - and you have vastly simplified the situation (Start with the relatively simple case of The Isle of Man, then move onto the interesting cases )

Is Puerto Rico part of the USA?

[TimFox]

Puerto Rico is an "unincorporated territory" of the United States.
Inhabitants of Puerto Rico are US citizens, and can move freely to the mainland.
However, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the Congress, nor votes in the Electoral College.
Before statehood, Alaska and Hawaii were "incorporated territories", following some court decisions around 1900, following the Spanish-American War.
If I understand the UK, England and Scotland are kingdoms, but Wales in a principality.  What status does Northern Ireland have?

[tggzzz]

Puerto Rico is an "unincorporated territory" of the United States.
Inhabitants of Puerto Rico are US citizens, and can move freely to the mainland.
However, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the Congress, nor votes in the Electoral College.

Are they subject to T'rump's tariffs?

They can and do serve in the US military, but are they subject to the draft?

What status does Northern Ireland have?

Yes 

It seems to vary across time and purpose [1]

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands' status is perennially (and more stably) interesting.

Then we can move on to Canada (etc); King Charles will be opening his parliament in Canada on 27th May. This will be the first time since 1977; usually Canada's Governor General stands in for the monarch. I'll leave you to guess why the King will do it in person this year

[1] CGP Grey's video will be out of date. I'll avoid giving the URL, but to find it, type rNu8XDBSn10 into the youtube search bar. His videos are always short and information dense; this one is 5 minutes and ~1300 words, i.e. spoken at ~250 wpm!

[NE666]

If I understand the UK, England and Scotland are kingdoms, but Wales in a principality. What status does Northern Ireland have?

It's complicated, meaning, it depends who you ask and the context within which you're asking.

Within the UK, all four are considered countries but there is only one 'sovereign country', the United Kingdom. England and Wales share a system of law, whereas Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own. Wales was originally a principality but, at least in UK law, is now recognised as a country of the UK. Central government resides in England only, but the other countries have their own 'devolved' powers and governments.

Some other countries and standards bodies (e.g. ISO) only recognise the UK as being a country, the subdivisions as regions.

[NE666]

Puerto Rico is an "unincorporated territory" of the United States.
Inhabitants of Puerto Rico are US citizens, and can move freely to the mainland.
However, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the Congress, nor votes in the Electoral College.

I believe the analogous situation with the UK would be the "British Overseas Territories" e.g. the Falkland Islands and its "Crown Dependencies" i.e. the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

[tggzzz]

Puerto Rico is an "unincorporated territory" of the United States.
Inhabitants of Puerto Rico are US citizens, and can move freely to the mainland.
However, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the Congress, nor votes in the Electoral College.

I believe the analogous situation with the UK would be the "British Overseas Territories" e.g. the Falkland Islands and its "Crown Dependencies" i.e. the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Those two are different, with differing rights and responsibilities.

This should make it clear

as mud.

The eagle-eyed will note that includes lumps of Cyprus, and I'm not sure whether BIOT has recently shrunk by the size of Diego Garcia.

It would seem reasonable that T'rump would have mentioned some of that lot specifically w.r.t. tariffs, but instead he chose to single out small islands uninhabited except by seabirds. Why didn't he mention Rockall; inquiring minds want to know.

[TimFox]

Puerto Rico is an "unincorporated territory" of the United States.
Inhabitants of Puerto Rico are US citizens, and can move freely to the mainland.
However, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the Congress, nor votes in the Electoral College.

Are they subject to T'rump's tariffs?

They can and do serve in the US military, but are they subject to the draft?

What status does Northern Ireland have?

Yes 

It seems to vary across time and purpose [1]

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands' status is perennially (and more stably) interesting.

Then we can move on to Canada (etc); King Charles will be opening his parliament in Canada on 27th May. This will be the first time since 1977; usually Canada's Governor General stands in for the monarch. I'll leave you to guess why the King will do it in person this year

[1] CGP Grey's video will be out of date. I'll avoid giving the URL, but to find it, type rNu8XDBSn10 into the youtube search bar. His videos are always short and information dense; this one is 5 minutes and ~1300 words, i.e. spoken at ~250 wpm!

Puerto Rico residents can serve in the US military, but the US does not have a military draft at present.
US tariffs apply to imports into all US Territories and States, but shipments from the US mainland to Puerto Rico are not "imports" for tariff law.
Other present unincorporated territories are the US Virgin Islands (specifically, the 11,000 virgins of St Ursula), Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa  https://www.aclu.org/issues/racial-justice/anti-colonialism
Some former colonies and mandates (e.g., Palau) are independent now, as "Freely Associated States", with US defense and aid, allowing their residents "non-immigrant" status to travel to the US (it gets complicated).

[tggzzz]

Puerto Rico residents can serve in the US military, but the US does not have a military draft at present.

I think I'm right that Puerto Ricans were drafted in the Vietnam War, but could not vote in presidential elections (and others?).

Seems a tad unfair

(it gets complicated).

Indeed, especially for a president that has difficulty assimilating written material.

[NE666]

Puerto Rico is an "unincorporated territory" of the United States.
Inhabitants of Puerto Rico are US citizens, and can move freely to the mainland.
However, Puerto Rico does not have representation in the Congress, nor votes in the Electoral College.

I believe the analogous situation with the UK would be the "British Overseas Territories" e.g. the Falkland Islands and its "Crown Dependencies" i.e. the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man

Those two are different, with differing rights and responsibilities.

Organisationally, yes, of course.

However, I was replying to Tim's description of the freedom of movement and voting rights, wherein they are very largely the same. All British Citizens, with the right to travel to and reside within the United Kingdom but without the right to electoral representation therein.

[TimFox]

Puerto Rico residents can serve in the US military, but the US does not have a military draft at present.

I think I'm right that Puerto Ricans were drafted in the Vietnam War, but could not vote in presidential elections (and others?).

Seems a tad unfair

(it gets complicated).

Indeed, especially for a president that has difficulty assimilating written material.

It's been complicated since the Insular Cases court decisions in 1901 et seq.  https://hls.harvard.edu/today/reexamining-the-insular-cases-again/
Note that voting in the US depends on the citizen's State of residence.  If a Puerto Rico resident moves to New York State and establishes his residence there, he can vote in New York elections, including for Congress and the President.

[Wallace Gasiewicz]

There is something that I do not completely understand about Puerto Rico as a territory.  It seems that all imports have to go thru a US port before going to Puerto Rico.  This makes a lot of things more expensive there. If I am wrong about this please correct me.  If they voted for statehood and were accepted, that would change. This is something to consider when considering retiring to Puerto Rico for those in the US.       
They do vote for their local officials. And they have representatives in congress, although these representatives do not have a vote.  So they are observers and have a voice, but no vote.

[Analog Kid]

I live in the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". Thank goodness we shorten it to "the UK".

I remember that acronym--UKoGBaNI--from Usenet days.

[Analog Kid]

Note that voting in the US depends on the citizen's State of residence.  If a Puerto Rico resident moves to New York State and establishes his residence there, he can vote in New York elections, including for Congress and the President.

Except for residents of Washington, D.C., who have no (federal) voting rights.
And yes, D.C. isn't a state, but this is singularly unfair, especially since residents are within sight of the White House and the Capitol.

[Wallace Gasiewicz]

The DC voting was set up that way in the constitution as the founders felt living in the capitol gave the citizens there more than enough influence over govt.

[themadhippy]

Except for residents of Washington, D.C., who have no (federal) voting rights.

so much for No tax without representation that you yanks were so vocal about

[vad]

Note that voting in the US depends on the citizen's State of residence.  If a Puerto Rico resident moves to New York State and establishes his residence there, he can vote in New York elections, including for Congress and the President.

Except for residents of Washington, D.C., who have no (federal) voting rights.
And yes, D.C. isn't a state, but this is singularly unfair, especially since residents are within sight of the White House and the Capitol.

They have partial voting rights. DC has 3 electoral votes in presidential elections, granted by the 23rd Amendment.

[vad]

As far as I'm concerned the only Trump's ally is Russia and perhaps Belarus.

Both have dropped the west, not just United States but also Europe, Australia, and everything western. Russian Federation is turned towards East and BRICS -- South America, Africa, India, Asia. Russia is not going to be partners with Europe again, there won't be gas sales (Turkish stream is going to be closed eventually), there won't be any trade. Frankly if Europe wants to deal with China, Russia is not going to be transit country for it.

Frankly, I don't see any reason to argue with someone who proudly poses with a PMC Wagner flag on their forehead.

I wasn't sure, but having a look at their facebook page, they provide a clear image of themselves wearing their PMC Wagner hat.  Question is why are they here in the USA.

As I'm sure you are aware, the leader of that group was a close associate of Putin, until that leader lead the Wagner militants toward Moscow trying to overthrow Putin. Putin didn't like that (doh!), so i suggest either us666a is either on the run from Putin or is attempting to demonstrate fealty to Putin.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, the now-murdered leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was better known for running an internet troll farm (Internet Research Agency) that flooded social media and online forums like this with pro-Russian propaganda. As part of its covert operations, Prigozhin‘s trolls were involved in meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by spreading misinformation. In 2018, the Department of Justice indicted Prigozhin for his role in election interference. The troll farm still exist, after Progizhin’s murder.

Prigozhin was also known by the nickname ‘Putin’s Chef’ due to his rise from a convicted criminal to a caterer for Vladimir Putin during the Putin’s early years in public service in the 1990s.

[tggzzz]

As far as I'm concerned the only Trump's ally is Russia and perhaps Belarus.

Both have dropped the west, not just United States but also Europe, Australia, and everything western. Russian Federation is turned towards East and BRICS -- South America, Africa, India, Asia. Russia is not going to be partners with Europe again, there won't be gas sales (Turkish stream is going to be closed eventually), there won't be any trade. Frankly if Europe wants to deal with China, Russia is not going to be transit country for it.

Frankly, I don't see any reason to argue with someone who proudly poses with a PMC Wagner flag on their forehead.

I wasn't sure, but having a look at their facebook page, they provide a clear image of themselves wearing their PMC Wagner hat.  Question is why are they here in the USA.

As I'm sure you are aware, the leader of that group was a close associate of Putin, until that leader lead the Wagner militants toward Moscow trying to overthrow Putin. Putin didn't like that (doh!), so i suggest either us666a is either on the run from Putin or is attempting to demonstrate fealty to Putin.

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, the now-murdered leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was better known for running an internet troll farm (Internet Research Agency) that flooded social media and online forums like this with pro-Russian propaganda. As part of its covert operations, Prigozhin‘s trolls were involved in meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by spreading misinformation. In 2018, the Department of Justice indicted Prigozhin for his role in election interference. The troll farm still exist, after Progizhin’s murder.

Ah; didn't realise that - but clearly it is very plausible

I wonder if us666a will continue to post here, or will use another moniker, or just go and foul other nests.

[tszaboo]

Except for residents of Washington, D.C., who have no (federal) voting rights.

so much for No tax without representation that you yanks were so vocal about

Fun fact, the Boston Tea party was about a 3% tax.
Why we don't throw our politicians into the water after 40% income tax is a mystery. 

[tom66]

Before Russia invaded Ukraine, the now-murdered leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was better known for running an internet troll farm (Internet Research Agency) that flooded social media and online forums like this with pro-Russian propaganda. As part of its covert operations, Prigozhin‘s trolls were involved in meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election by spreading misinformation. In 2018, the Department of Justice indicted Prigozhin for his role in election interference. The troll farm still exist, after Progizhin’s murder.

Prigozhin was also known by the nickname ‘Putin’s Chef’ due to his rise from a convicted criminal to a caterer for Vladimir Putin during the Putin’s early years in public service in the 1990s.

It truly is bizarre to me that as soon as his coup failed he did not run away to a very far away country and hide.  It was almost as if he was begging to be assassinated - Did he not see what happened to everyone else who crossed Putin?  Or did he believe so much in his own bravado that he could survive any attempt on his life?  Must have been a terrifying ride down in that plane split in half... Still, couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke, eh.