implementing the Tariff Promise

One would think that, by now, the leaders of China, Mexico and Canada would realize that when President Trump says he will be doing something, that he would follow through on his statement or promise. During the campaign, and since his election, he kept promising that tariffs would be applied if they didn’t stop Fentanyl and illegal immigrants from coming into the United States.

 

He even told them the deadline by which it would happen. AND he even met with the leaders of all three countries before the Inauguration to explain it to them. In very clear, concise and understandable terms.

So, they had time to adjust their policies to reconcile their existing practices to prevent the inevitable. Instead, they all thought he was bluffing , even as he gave them until February 1 ro comply.

Well, today has come and as of noon EST, it was unclear if those orders were implemented. 

Presently, the tariffs will be set at 25% on all Mexican products, 25% on all Canadian products, except oil, which is set at 10%, and a 10% additional tariff on all Chinese products over and above existing tariffs.

Obviously, some economists and the legacy media are stoking fears and wringing their hands that prices will rise on those products incoming to the US. But they don’t tell you that manufacturers will feel the pinch if Americans refuse to buy the products.

No one NEEDS to buy Molson Beer or the latest Apple iPhone, or the latest Nissan Sentra, do they?

These countries need us and our dollars more than we need them.

So, if these countries don’t agree to stop the Fentanyl or protect their borders with the United States, soon enough, their economies will feel the retribution for not assisting us in stopping illegal drugs and illegal immigration.

And he even gave a preview last Sunday, when Colombia initially refused to take back their citizens. The Colombian President backed down pretty quickly when President Trump ordered immediate tariffs and cancellation of diplomatic visas.

So he isn’t bluffing. He WILL go through with his promises.

It is just that simple, as Ross Perot said way back in the 1992 campaign to Larry King.

****UPDATE**** Tariffs against Mexico, Canada and China. As described above, are now scheduled to go into effect AT 12:01AM on Tuesday 02/04/25

An Important Date on the Calendar

February 2 is an date on everyone’s calendar for truly different reasons. Some are religious and some are secular.

 

For Christians, it is Feast of the Presentation, which is the fortieth day since the birth of Jesus Christ. It is the day Mary and Joseph bring Him to the temple.

At the heart of this celebration is the encounter of Simeon and Anna with the Christ Child in the Temple. Simeon was the first to understand and proclaim Jesus as the Savior of the World. He also prophesied that this salvation would be accomplished by a sword of sorrow that would pierce Mary’s Immaculate Heart. Anna, a prophetess, also came forward and “gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.” 

For all of the Abrahamic religions, it is also the Feast of the Purification. According to the Old Testament rules in Leviticus 12, a woman who bore a son was to be purified by presenting a lamb as a burnt offering, and either a young pigeon or dove as an offering, 33 days after a boy's circumcision. 

The feast falls on the same day as the Presentation, which is traditionally the fortieth day. For Christians, it is also Candlemas, where one brings candles to be blessed for the coming year.

It is the final day of the Advent-Christmas-Epiphany part of the liturgical year.

As a side note, while many in North America have removed their Christmas decorations well before this date, in other parts of the world, decorations are not removed until this date has passed to signify the end of the Christmas Season.

Secularly, this date represents the halfway point of Summer in the southern hemisphere and Winter in the northern. It is reminder that the season is drawing to a close and soon, the next season will be upon us.

In Native American lore, and carried over specifically in Canadian and American traditions, this is Groundhog Day, where we rely on an oversized rodent/woodchuck to predict the weather for the next six weeks by seeing its shadow or not.

And finally, this year, in the sports world, it is the Sunday which starts off Super Bowl Week, and ends next Sunday, February 9 with the Super Bowl. It is also ten days before Pitchers and Catchers report for Spring Training, on the 12th.

All in all, it is a day we all hold to some importance for many different reasons. And now you know.

What does this day mean for you?