Upcoming Tariffs

Toyota has always had the import (chicken tax) on 4Runners and the EPA restrictions priced us out of ever getting a Toyota diesel. They definitely made a smart decision to have their Tacoma production over here. The US traditionally has the lowest Tariff rates in the world, with the highest consumption, so there has been a lot of money going over seas for decades.

Do I mind that Mexico has jobs that we need? 5 years ago it wasn't really a thing, yea we need jobs but so does Mexico. Toyota is obviously familiar with the USMCA. Hopefully since Toyota factories have been in both countries for a long time, that will give them a bargaining chip.

 

Well I have no plans in selling my 23 Pro. Made that mistake once won’t happen again. On the other hand being a die hard Toyota owner I wanted a small truck and never thought I would choose a different brand over a Tacoma. But I was against buying a hybrid Pro and not to mention first year and the price. So now I’m owner of 2 different manufacturers.

 

I will take my made in Japan Toyota plus tariff over a US made Toyota.

 

Since when was the 4Runner illegal?

 

domestic manufacturers have been putting out junk for a long time.

maybe I should have said, made in America

It’s not, but there is lots of illegal things coming into our ports and across our borders.

I’m not even sure these tariffs will have an impact on Japan produced things.

And due to rules, I can’t really get into a true conversation about these tariffs.

 

And you think that tariffs will stop smugglers or the cartels? What are you drinking tonight?

 

The tariffs will force China and Mexico to help. Mexico has already started talking about avoiding the tariffs. And the Mexican Cartels are not our biggest worry right now, the nice folks from Venezuela seem to be taking control. Again, due to forum rules, I can not get into the discussion that I would like to on this topic.

 

Just keep this in mind: demand and supply. No one can sell me something I don’t want. As far as I know, people don’t snort things with a gun to their heads. Venezuelans are so poor that they steal breadcrumbs from each other’s mouths. What do they have to lose? In an American prison, people eat and live better than in Venezuela.

Once a criminal organization gains wealth, it often loses its initial ruthless, reckless behavior and tries to present itself as legitimate. However, the young and desperate Venezuelans don’t care about any deals the cartels might have with government agencies. They want money and power now, just like the cartels did 30 years ago.

 

Interesting that some countries scramble like they are with only the threat of tariffs. How vehicle pricing will actually be affected remains to be seen.

 

It’s interesting that the EU imposes 10% tariffs on all American cars, as if there’s high demand for V6 or V8 engines there. No one seems to complain about it. Perhaps because fuel prices are around $8-$9 per gallon.

 

Correct, nobody is forcing folks to use, except for the addiction that has been created because of the easily available supply, or the weed and other substances that is getting laced with fentanyl.
Glad to see someone truly trying to change the supply. Will it stop all, no it won’t, but let’s see what it can do. Hey, maybe we have more jobs in the country and more folks go to work and thus we have less addiction issues. But will folks go to work?

 

The end.

 

Tariffs wont effect everyone they are designed to get manufactures to produce their product in the U.S.A. and since Toyota already builds cars here, they will be exempt as will most car makers. They are also aimed at countries that have a tariff on our goods coming into their county like China who basically put our steel industry out of business.

 

Excuse me? Just because something is easily available, does that mean people are forced to make bad decisions? Junk food is much more accessible than drugs, yet I choose not to eat it. Why would anyone need “weed and other substances”? Are you seriously trying to justify drug addiction? I have no sympathy for addicts—it’s their choice, and I’m not interested in hearing excuses. In this country, people seem to have forgotten how to take responsibility for their own actions. Instead, they love to blame others: it’s always someone else’s fault, while they play the victim. Not a chance. Sorry for the off topic conversation.

 

Per ChatGPT... "
USMCA Rules of Origin

• Under the USMCA, to avoid tariffs, a vehicle must meet certain rules of origin requirements. For light trucks like the Toyota Tacoma, a large portion of the parts must be sourced from the U.S., Canada, or Mexico to be eligible for tariff-free trade.
• If a significant number of components or final assembly is done outside the U.S., like in Japan, there could be tariffs on vehicles imported from there into the U.S."

 

You know, I didn't think that hitting Americans with higher prices on 90%+ of what they buy, and starting a trade war with our top trade partners will resolve our domestic drug and gang problems, but

Love the fact that everyone whose main concern was the economy seems excited about the steps being proposed that will jumpstart inflation again and dampen economic growth for the foreseeable future.

And in case anyone missed it, "love" is sarcasm, this is fucking stupid.

Edit: hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving! Either with your families or whoever you were able to spend it with.

 

The tariffs as talked about now are for imports, period. I’m certain there can be a zillion exemptions but tariffs do not discriminate based on current US presence. (The Chicken Tax was not waived for cargo Transit Connects despite Ford having a manufacturing footprint here)

https://youtu.be/dgLcYO2oZUI

If one skips to 8:39, it’s a neat explanation of tariffs. Not what they’re intended to do or the goal is, just what they are and likely outcomes on a simple level. (because we can talk about drugs, legal things, concessions, etc. but no matter what - it’s a tit-for-tat issue that can push countries around in the short-term but we, the US, still need friends on the global stage long-term but as mentioned I’m veering off course here.)

 

We have, at this moment in time, two Toyotas made in the US, a 27 year Camry from TMMK and a 20 year old Corolla from NUMMI. Absolute tanks that just won't die. The US made XV20 Camrys shattered the myth that J vin is somehow some magical shield against malaise.

The country of origin is just a label, you can have Stellantis make cars in Japan and it would still be suspect quality wise.

Toyota proved with NUMMI that the US can make world class cars if the management and the work force are willing to work for it, even in a joint ventured with GM with a UAW work force.

 

I never said folks shouldn’t take responsibility, but our society has a role in what type of people it produces. And our governments role is to protect its citizens. Thus by finding ways to remove the antecedents will help. Addiction is not a black and white issue, think about all those folks who become addicted after surgery. And when places legalize marijuana, it helps to make it socially acceptable, just like booze.
Oh and great on you for having such self control, unfortunately many folks don’t have that skill, as some had which a shitty upbringing/life circumstances that just getting thru the day is their number 1 goal. And to add, some can’t afford to purchase healthy food and must survive on Junk food.

 

When compared to the alternative, well this is what the majority of the country decided.

 

I used to think this way. I eventually learned that these things aren't as cut and dried as I assumed they should be. Life happens - in more ways than you can imagine.

 

This is what they apparently asked for, yes. I don't think it will be what they want at the end of the day. (Most of them, anyway. Some people love the loose cannon shit.)

I'd love to be proven wrong on the economics side, but only time will tell how this all shakes out.

 

There better not be a tariffs on my Fentanyl.

 

Do you know why bananas are immune to inflation? Because that’s the most popular way to smuggle cocaine from South America therefore the cartels keep the price low and steady.

 

That might partially explain the $6.2million duct-taped banana.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c...been convicted,of bananas from South America.

also found this, Chiquita was fined for paying the cartel.
https://www.newsweek.com/chiquita-banana-civil-case-verdict-1911493

 

Americans have gotten spoiled with cheap Chinese products produced by questionable labor practices…..we have to bite the bullet and ween ourselves off Chinese products and deal with the prices of domestically manufactured stuff.
Remember, we won WWll in the factories as well as the trenches. You can’t just start producing war equipment immediately without some manufacturing experience. Our Automotive companies have become fat and lazy with questionable quality that has to be fixed.

 

I know a good friend that in his younger days would get drunk and get into bar fights all the time. While still in his 20’s he decided to quit drinking and +15yrs later hasn’t had a single drop of alcohol……but numerous motocross injuries/operations got him hooked on opiates and he has been unable to kick the urge for more. Some people just have a switch in their brain that once exposed to drugs just can’t turn it off. I’ve told him “you had the fortitude to quit drinking, just do the same with drugs”. He just can’t do it.

 

Obviously he had addiction problem from the beginning. It’s sad. I would punish the medical professionals who prescribe these opiates left and right.