Trump's Magnet Madness: 200% Tariffs Against China Unless They Ship More

I’ve watched this ridiculous trade war play out for years, and Trump’s latest threat is absolutely bonkers. A 200% tariff on Chinese magnets? Really? I’m sitting here laughing at how this guy thinks he can bully the world’s manufacturing giant into submission with these wild threats.

“I could destroy China, but I won’t do it,” he says. Sure, Donald. You’re really holding back there. As if slapping insane tariffs on a country that controls 90% of the global magnet supply is somehow doing them a favor! This is the economic equivalent of shooting yourself in the foot and then demanding the gun manufacturer pay your hospital bills.

The timing couldn’t be more suspicious. Right after the US grabs a 10% stake in Intel - which depends on Chinese rare earths - Trump starts rattling his tariff saber. Meanwhile, China’s already flexing by restricting exports after earlier US tariff hikes. They’ve got us by the balls and they know it.

What’s truly maddening is watching the administration delay tariff deadlines while simultaneously threatening new ones. Make up your damn mind! Trump extended a 90-day delay on new tariff hikes this month, but then has the nerve to threaten a 200% tariff? The market must be getting whiplash.

The numbers tell the story: US tariff rates jumped from 2.5% to 27% in just four months - highest in a century! Even after “policy tweaks” they’re still at 18.6%. Tariffs now make up 5% of federal revenue. We’re paying for this nonsense, not China.

And invoking the International Emergency Economic Powers Act? That’s just Trump’s way of bypassing Congress to impose his universal 10% tariff on practically everything. The small package exemption is gone too, so all those cheap online purchases are about to get much pricier.

This isn’t negotiation. It’s economic terrorism against our own consumers. But hey, at least he looks tough on TV while our technology sector scrambles for alternatives that don’t exist.