US politics - never go full Project 2025 (part 8)

Pope Francis willed his Popemobile to a humanitarian organisation for use as a mobile health clinic.
Maybe the US could supply Leo’s Popemobile.
That would be a big ANNOUNCE.

1 Like

19 Likes

I know this is satire but I wouldn’t be surprised.

Hmmm…IMO, the US tariff policy is going to all fall apart very quickly if this is all that is on offer.

Some great quotes here from this BBC article.

“It’s better than yesterday but it’s definitely not better than five weeks ago,” said Duncan Edwards, chief executive of BritishAmerican Business, which represents firms in the two countries and supports free trade. “I’m trying to be excited but I’m struggling a bit.”

The office also said the two sides had agreed to “reciprocal access” for beef exports, with a quota of 13,000 metric tonnes for UK farmers.

The US said the deal would create a $5bn “opportunity” for exports, including $700m in ethanol and $250m in other agricultural products.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the deal, saying it amounted to tariffs being lowered by the UK, while being hiked in the US. “This is not a historic deal with the US,” she said. “We’ve been shafted.”

Trump has said repeatedly that he wants to tax imports of pharmaceuticals, in a bid to ensure the US has a strong manufacturing base for critical medicines. The UK said the US had agreed to give British firms “preferential treatment”.

But Ewan Townsend, a lawyer at Arnold & Porter, who works with health care firms, said the industry was now “left waiting to see exactly what this preferential treatment will mean”.

Is the USA becoming a Russian economic clone? Perhaps.

One of the GOP’s biggest voices is warning that it’s an insider’s game.

“Tariffs open the doors to crony capitalism. The government starts to pick winners and losers,” Citadel founder Ken Griffin told POLITICO at the Beverly Hilton during the Milken Institute’s Global Conference.

“I thought that would play out over the course of years. It’s terrifying to watch this play out over the course of weeks.”

The administration’s sporadic exemptions of certain products and industries make it “very clear that we have roughly already — regretfully — unleashed an era of crony capitalism,” he added.

(I cannot post this article.)

2 Likes

There goes the harmonised system of tariff classification (HTS) . There will be different tariffs for precisely the same auto, depending whether it has something like two tail or braking lights of a certain country, positioned at a specific place on the boot.

1 Like

The exemption is for RR engines - which are used on jets.

RR does not produce cars any more. (Those bearing their brand are made under license).

So, if a car manufactured in a third country has a RR engine, would it get a tariff discount?

Only if the engine could be taken out and put on a Boeing jet.

7 Likes

What. A. Surprise.

Announce tariffs and not think through the implications….perfect example of Trump policy. And to top it off, spin it as a win for his administration - we made a deal with the UK.

MAGA zealots will lap it up (of course).

2 Likes

Some deal on pharmaceuticals, perhaps more mutual recognition of standards in manufacture and approvals of drugs.
From memory, there was some sort of three way acceptance between US , UK and Australia respective trials and other approval procedures . I think this applied to orphan drugs at least.
Thr Pharma experts on Blitz would know how it works.

And don’t forget all the military engines and parts. RR are a huge provider for US military jets and submarines ( including the AUKUS projects)

1 Like

The new pope is strongly against trump policies, particularly on mass deportations.

It’s an interesting situation, maga people being very religious supportive of policies that contradict and American pope’s views

Which makes the UK ambassadors comment about “would you like to buy a Rolls Royce, Mr President?” a somewhat peculiar.

He’s used the White House as a floor room showcasing Tesla and bought one off the floor.
A Roller would be less tacky.

6 Likes

He’s also a Peruvian citizen ( naturalised). A Latino.

2 Likes

The verdict is already in from Laura Loomer.

3 Likes

just keep in mind, that woman has the president’s ear. wild times.

3 Likes

Pope Leo is in a special position as a US born citizen , also the Head of State of a Foreign country. He would have a Vatican passport plus possibly diplomatic immunity in some circumstances.
And, IIRC the Vatican doesn’t have extradition treaties, so he’s outside the reach of US law while he’s inside the Vatican borders.
So, when the US celebrates the first US Pope, he could be most formidable opponent of the Trump weaponisation of Christianity. Rubio might be the next Catholic he hits on, for his role in revoking visas .

1 Like