We have breaking news right now. Layoffs have begun because of Trump's tariffs, and a bipartisan push has emerged on Capitol Hill to require Trump to get Congressional action for any tariffs.
Bear with me folks, it's going to be a LONG and busy day.
Thank you to all who have become paid subscribers or sent one time donations via venmo (aaron-parnas), you all are keeping me going and caffeinated haha!
Good work! Post as much as you like and as much as you are able. As you say, you are just one person. We appreciate all you are doing to keep us informed!
Thank you Aaron! It’s so nice to have somebody you can trust to keep you updated, it saves me so much pain and doomscrolling! I am really liking this Substack platform also… a reprieve from all the noise out there.
The predictable outcome will be an escalation in trade tensions, leading to higher costs for U.S. consumers, significant disruption in global supply chains, retaliation from trading partners, and potential damage to the U.S. economy and global trade systems. It will
likely result in short-term economic difficulties, particularly for businesses dependent on international trade, and could provoke political fallout domestically and internationally. Over the long term, the U.S. might find itself isolated in global trade, with weakened alliances and a less favorable economic position in the world.
Why is it that every thinking person understands tariffs are taxes on the consumer except Trump? My guess is that we will have another depression, just like the Great Depression, sparked by tariffs in the 1920s.
Trump knows tariffs are a tax on the American people to pay, but he ran on the word tariffs during the campaign and none of his gullible supporters looked up the word until after they voted.
Actually, the government collects the tax as revenue for the treasury. The tax causes an increase in prices, since the cost is then is passed on to us, the consumer. DOGE gets huge money while we pay the price
Exactly, but Trump assures you that his taxes will make you all extremely rich! Must have been away with the fairies in his head! They are taxes to be paid by those richer Americans, of course.
Remember, Trump wants to take awt all safety precautions put in place for the American people!! He wants to destroy country, the American people, and hand a broken United States to Putin. The greedy billionaires that already have more than they can spend in 10 luxurious lifetimes, still want to take more away from the 95%!!! That's the deal Treasonous TrumPutin made with those billionaires kissing his ass!!
One aspect that I feel is being overshadowed in the news is the cost to small businesses. This will be devastating not just to consumers and corporate workers in specific industries, but small businesses that rely on stable basic necessities, like product packaging.
The majority of people in the US work for companies with under 500 employees. The domino effect of these tariffs affects every business in all areas of the country. Jane Citizen may work for a big company and make a good living. She gets laid off. Now she can't afford the landscapers who cut her grass weekly. She's home now, so she doesn't need the dog walker in the middle of the day. She can't afford to take her kids out for dinner on the weekends anymore. Takeout is too expensive. There won't be a family vacation this year. And it just keeps going and going.
Yes! I mean — I worked for a small, local bakery for over a decade (recently left it), and I keep thinking how razor thin the profit margins in hospitality are. They already deal with wildly fluctuating ingredients’ costs and just plain everybody having less money in their pocket to dine out… Tariffs like this can sink businesses like that very quickly and that bakery has been in business for 15+ years.
Edited to say — employees in the hospitality industry already aren’t in it for the paycheck. I just don’t know when this vicious cycle of low wages AND low spending power (with high overhead) ends.
Thank you for mentioning this, because I'm really worried about the small business impact. If Congress can't rein in Trump fast, we may see small businesses shuttering and a ton of folks unemployed within a few weeks. As we witnessed during COVID, many of the *temporarily closed* shops and restaurants never recovered. Many small business owners sold off equipment and canceled leases so they could provide for their families. I know a lot of local business owners in my area who are seriously stressed out and worried about their financial outlook, and I hate to see it.
Without the government stepping in to help them, we most definitely will be seeing many small businesses close their doors. This is the ultimate goal of capitalism, is it not? So sad.
Because he is defying the constitution, thereby, the law. He is being assisted by complicit republicans, who will go down in history - oh forget it, that’s right, he going to rewrite history too!
The Republicans in Congress better wake up and wake up fast as their states are circling the drain thanks to their dear leader who is tanking the U.S. economy and their states and citizens as well.......... The longer they stay silent and afraid (can you say COWARDS) the worse it will get. Remember "Everything Trump Touches Dies." He does NOT care about anyone or anything but himself and what he (and his billionaire buddies) can get from anything!!! He is the WORST person to "lead" America in the history of America and needs to go!!!!!!!!
But guess who in the House is not allowing a vote on either of those bipartisan Senate bills? Yup, good old Speaker Mike Johnson, trump’s little toadie 🤬! Call your Reps and demand they do something!
If they are backing him because they are afraid of being primaryed (sp) , it’s too late for that! Didn’t they pay attention to Florida and Wisconsin? If they want to win their next election, they better grow a spine and protect America 🇺🇸
Once they realize that Musk’s millions spent in WI turned out to be a great way to turnout votes for Dems, things might change. That and seeing that the margins in the two FL Congressional election shrunk a lot just since November might just scare anyone who won by 5-10 points. I predict that more & more of them will find their spines as unemployment and business bankruptcies soar in their districts.
I'm trying to figure this out too, for my job! We sell Chinese product to US customers, and I don't know if the tariffs stack or if it's a replacement on the 20%? What a shitshow
JESS: Use Signal to communicate with all your coworkers (ones you trust) that they need to raise hell with Congress and the Senate NOW. Tell the Trump voters to do it as a penance. The sane ones just might get what they did. That, and mobilize everyone you know to get to the rallies at state capitols this Saturday. We need MILLIONS to turn out nationwide.
NAIMA: Joins MILLIONS of others when we take to the streets this Saturday. Google “Take Back” protests to find locations near you. The pressure will help.
Bear with me folks, it's going to be a LONG and busy day.
Thank you to all who have become paid subscribers or sent one time donations via venmo (aaron-parnas), you all are keeping me going and caffeinated haha!
Don’t worry about us! Keep them coming! Eat your fruits, veggies & stay hydrated. We need you!!
Appreciate you but also take it easy on yourself
Aaron. We saw something special in you and your reporting so my husband and I subscribed. Glad we did. You are excellent. Keep up the good work.
Good work! Post as much as you like and as much as you are able. As you say, you are just one person. We appreciate all you are doing to keep us informed!
I want to know everything AP. Send as many as you feel necessary. Appreciate you 💙
You got it, Mary!!
Sending some coffee $
would like to be more but I can’t keep going!
Thank you Aaron! It’s so nice to have somebody you can trust to keep you updated, it saves me so much pain and doomscrolling! I am really liking this Substack platform also… a reprieve from all the noise out there.
Same.
The predictable outcome will be an escalation in trade tensions, leading to higher costs for U.S. consumers, significant disruption in global supply chains, retaliation from trading partners, and potential damage to the U.S. economy and global trade systems. It will
likely result in short-term economic difficulties, particularly for businesses dependent on international trade, and could provoke political fallout domestically and internationally. Over the long term, the U.S. might find itself isolated in global trade, with weakened alliances and a less favorable economic position in the world.
I don’t want to “like” this but think you’re likely correct…
Why is it that every thinking person understands tariffs are taxes on the consumer except Trump? My guess is that we will have another depression, just like the Great Depression, sparked by tariffs in the 1920s.
Trump knows tariffs are a tax on the American people to pay, but he ran on the word tariffs during the campaign and none of his gullible supporters looked up the word until after they voted.
Actually, the government collects the tax as revenue for the treasury. The tax causes an increase in prices, since the cost is then is passed on to us, the consumer. DOGE gets huge money while we pay the price
Exactly, but Trump assures you that his taxes will make you all extremely rich! Must have been away with the fairies in his head! They are taxes to be paid by those richer Americans, of course.
He means only those that are already rich. Trump does not want to help the 95% of the country live better lives. He wants all to be slaves to the 5%
Remember, Trump wants to take awt all safety precautions put in place for the American people!! He wants to destroy country, the American people, and hand a broken United States to Putin. The greedy billionaires that already have more than they can spend in 10 luxurious lifetimes, still want to take more away from the 95%!!! That's the deal Treasonous TrumPutin made with those billionaires kissing his ass!!
One aspect that I feel is being overshadowed in the news is the cost to small businesses. This will be devastating not just to consumers and corporate workers in specific industries, but small businesses that rely on stable basic necessities, like product packaging.
Thanks for your reporting!
The majority of people in the US work for companies with under 500 employees. The domino effect of these tariffs affects every business in all areas of the country. Jane Citizen may work for a big company and make a good living. She gets laid off. Now she can't afford the landscapers who cut her grass weekly. She's home now, so she doesn't need the dog walker in the middle of the day. She can't afford to take her kids out for dinner on the weekends anymore. Takeout is too expensive. There won't be a family vacation this year. And it just keeps going and going.
Yes! I mean — I worked for a small, local bakery for over a decade (recently left it), and I keep thinking how razor thin the profit margins in hospitality are. They already deal with wildly fluctuating ingredients’ costs and just plain everybody having less money in their pocket to dine out… Tariffs like this can sink businesses like that very quickly and that bakery has been in business for 15+ years.
Edited to say — employees in the hospitality industry already aren’t in it for the paycheck. I just don’t know when this vicious cycle of low wages AND low spending power (with high overhead) ends.
Thank you for mentioning this, because I'm really worried about the small business impact. If Congress can't rein in Trump fast, we may see small businesses shuttering and a ton of folks unemployed within a few weeks. As we witnessed during COVID, many of the *temporarily closed* shops and restaurants never recovered. Many small business owners sold off equipment and canceled leases so they could provide for their families. I know a lot of local business owners in my area who are seriously stressed out and worried about their financial outlook, and I hate to see it.
Without the government stepping in to help them, we most definitely will be seeing many small businesses close their doors. This is the ultimate goal of capitalism, is it not? So sad.
Every other president has had to jump through hoops to get anything done. How is Trump able to just steam roll through all of these changes?
Because he is defying the constitution, thereby, the law. He is being assisted by complicit republicans, who will go down in history - oh forget it, that’s right, he going to rewrite history too!
Because he has a gun to the head of every GOP Senator and member of Congress?
money.
Congress knew what was coming...he has stated it so many times. Why do they wait for him to blow stuff up to grow a spine?!!!
You are doing a fabulous job of keeping us informed!
The Republicans in Congress better wake up and wake up fast as their states are circling the drain thanks to their dear leader who is tanking the U.S. economy and their states and citizens as well.......... The longer they stay silent and afraid (can you say COWARDS) the worse it will get. Remember "Everything Trump Touches Dies." He does NOT care about anyone or anything but himself and what he (and his billionaire buddies) can get from anything!!! He is the WORST person to "lead" America in the history of America and needs to go!!!!!!!!
They are a day late and a dollar short on congressional approval of new tariffs. 🙄
It is hard to believe that 2 1/2 months ago our economy was something to envy. Now we are a pariah in the global community
Please add to the pressure on Congress by being one of the MILLIONS who will take to the streets on April 5th.
But guess who in the House is not allowing a vote on either of those bipartisan Senate bills? Yup, good old Speaker Mike Johnson, trump’s little toadie 🤬! Call your Reps and demand they do something!
AND, AND,
Good luck getting the House of Representatives to make the same move. They are still afraid of the orange one.
If they are backing him because they are afraid of being primaryed (sp) , it’s too late for that! Didn’t they pay attention to Florida and Wisconsin? If they want to win their next election, they better grow a spine and protect America 🇺🇸
Once they realize that Musk’s millions spent in WI turned out to be a great way to turnout votes for Dems, things might change. That and seeing that the margins in the two FL Congressional election shrunk a lot just since November might just scare anyone who won by 5-10 points. I predict that more & more of them will find their spines as unemployment and business bankruptcies soar in their districts.
Excuse my language but Fuck this administration
Agree. Are you planning to take to the streets on Saturday?
Yes
Are the tariffs on China 34% or plus the 10% blanket so actually 44%?
It's actually 54% total right now. But, it depends on the product.
Wow!! 🤯 Thanks Aaron!!
I'm trying to figure this out too, for my job! We sell Chinese product to US customers, and I don't know if the tariffs stack or if it's a replacement on the 20%? What a shitshow
I’m so confused 😵💫
This is “liberation day” it seems depressing like everyday since 1/20/2025.
JESS: Use Signal to communicate with all your coworkers (ones you trust) that they need to raise hell with Congress and the Senate NOW. Tell the Trump voters to do it as a penance. The sane ones just might get what they did. That, and mobilize everyone you know to get to the rallies at state capitols this Saturday. We need MILLIONS to turn out nationwide.
It’s 54%… 34% new + 20% existing
🥴 ugh
Take to the streets this Saturday.
😱 what a mess
Thank you as always. I did read that Mike Johnson is unlikely to even take up the resolution that was passed last night. How can we pressure him?
NAIMA: Joins MILLIONS of others when we take to the streets this Saturday. Google “Take Back” protests to find locations near you. The pressure will help.
Let’s see if speaker Johnson will continue to bend the knee in the House.