We sleep walked into the situation just like we did in 1939, just a different aggressor. I think what people are missing regarding the tariffs is, yes the american people pay them, but only if they chose to buy foreign produce, and even the UK seems to apply import duty to lots of imports. The percentage rate Trump states is usually a bargaining point which comes down if they reach a deal. Its quite simple, just stop selling your stuff to the US. But he knows we dont want to do that, its a cat and mouse game he is playing. I just wish some of our politicians would actually stand up and be counted, but we are not strong enough or have any real influence anymore.
All empires rise and decline and fall. The Roman Empire gave way to the Dark Ages. The British Empire has had its day and our dark ages are coming along nicely. The sooner we admit that we are no longer a force to be reckoned with the better. Just a group of little islands off the European continent. Let’s allow the colonies to sail off into the wide blue yonder and leave us to moulder gently like a once fine cheese that is past its sell by date.
China is coming round to being an Empire for the nth time and India would also like a crack at it. Russia believes it has always been an Empire and is still one.
No. Trump will do what he sees as being best for him. You can bet your life that any 'closed door' discussions will be covering more about financial benefits to Trump, and companies he is involved in, than in the outcome for the innocent party i.e. Ukraine.
@Tidemark, we are definitely in decline. We can't really compete effectively in any area. What we are seeing now is the super-rich sucking out as much as they can before decamping with their spoils. They will leave behind a collapsed society, without the wherewithal to rebuild. If I were in my 20s now, I'd decamp. I'd choose somewhere less blighted by an arcane class system that distorts opportunity, somewhere without a public school dominance, and with a much much smaller gap between the wealthiest and poorest.
The speaking bit is easy. No tenses as such, no declensions to suit who is speaking or being spoken to. It’s the writing and reading of the characters that beats me. Anyway, I prefer nectarines.
In the news today.. How Kentucky bourbon went from boom to bust Maybe it is best for America. Fewer people drinking alcohol means fewer road accidents, fewer cases of domestic abuse (maybe) and more straight thinking.
When Trump slapped tariffs on Canada I read that huge quantities of bourbon were sent back from Canada and that the distilleries were in danger of going bust. I wonder if that is part of the problem for them. Apparently no payment was due for the bourbon until it had been sold.
As mentioned in my post above. Uruguay is quite a liberal country. A good democratic country, supportive of rights for women and all the LGB etc. groups. Good weather, cosmopolitan, low crime rate (although petty crime such as pickpocketing is becoming more common - but still low), friendly people and a large proportion of the small population (less than 4 million) speak English. A pretty and friendly country. Just south of Brazil. I'd be happy to live there - if I wasn't already happy here in Shineyland.
It's certainly getting trickier. The Nordic countries, Denmark maybe. Or further afield, New Zealand, though that will be like here in about 20 yrs. Canada was once on my wish list, but friends there aren't as happy with things as they used to be. Strangely, @shiney, Uruguay is not under consideration, although you make a good case. @Loofah, Brighton College has had Mandarin on the curriculum for a couple of decades. You'd struggle to get it to take off in a state school, I imagine.
I don't disagree, I'd serve them and hold my tongue but sometimes the persons actions/views/company may turn your stomach so much that you don't wish to be civil. In this case it was a lawyer for the super rich that were accused of sexual offences. The reaction of the crowd when he went back the following week showed the general public opinion.
