When I was in Taiwan in 2019, I noticed that non Asian products cost about 3X as much. Like Dove bar of soap, Evian bottle water and even stuff at IKEA.  I bought a bottle scrubber for $3 USD that it cost about $0.75 at the one in Vegas for the same item.

To give an idea of income, the average person makes about $600 USD a month. Rent is $60 USD.  So only 10% of their income goes to rent.  Starbucks is only about 10% cheaper than in HI. So to spend $4 on a coffee is like if that same coffee in the US cost $150.  I used the $60USD for rent and coffee is less than 10% of that.

I assumed it was due to shipping cost. But it's also probably tariffs as well.  In 2019, I never thought about tariffs.

Japan has always been protective of its economy.  Not only do they charge high tariffs on non-Japanese products, they also do everything they can to circumvent foreign tariffs.

The auto industry is a good example.  The US used to based import tariffs on the value of vehicles.  So, Japan started shipping stripped-down vehicles with as few standard and optional features as possible.  Once in the US, the vehicles were taken to a facility to be finished before delivery to a dealer.

Then the US figured we could do better by charging per unit as opposed to unit value.  So, Japan pivoted and started shipping autos with as many standard and optional features as they could get buyers for.

The tariffs rose so high that Japan eventually built factories in the US to avoid import fees altogether.

I remember my motorcycles had odd engine cc labels.  Instead of an even 800cc or 1100cc, the engines were stamped 793cc or 1097cc, or something close.  I discovered that was done to slip the bikes just under the next higher tariff classification for motorcycles as the tariff was based on engine displacement.

i guess that's changed, as i now see engine sizes are slightly higher than the marketed model identification, such as the Yamaha 650 that list the displacement as 653cc.

Even after all that gamesmanship to avoid paying as much in tariffs as possible, we still see a trade imbalance where the US imports far more goods from Japan and others than those nation import from us.  Obviously, the tariffs to have an effect on trade, but without the US, those countries lose one of their largest, if not the largest, consumer market which keeps them making a profit.

Trump's tariffs will help bring the playing field into a more level aspect, but I'm sure the exporters will find ways to reduce what they will be paying.

I wonder if this would have been on his list of things to do during his first term if he didn't have to expend energy fighting all the false charges and fake news.

I wonder if this would have been on his list of things to do during his first term if he didn't have to expend energy fighting all the false charges and fake news.

Imagine how much time was wasted answering Mueller investigation subpoenas, and then imagine how many multiples of that was spent by Congress critters, investigative personnel, FBI, CIA, NSA, etc.

The millions of dollars the Russia,Russia, Russia Investigation cost was nothing compared to the loss of time and benefit that was lost among everyone involved.

https://www.kitv.com/news/kona-coffee-industry-could-see-boost-in-business-due-to-tariffs-on-foreign-imports/article_220627cf-35bc-4058-87c8-3c865a3c0e0a.html

Now imagine how that one story will in all likelihood apply to thousands of others who struggle to turn a profit in the country.

Japan has always been protective of its economy.  Not only do they charge high tariffs on non-Japanese products, they also do everything they can to circumvent foreign tariffs.

FYI,
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/japan-import-tariffs

Their tariffs are nowhere near the 24% Trump levied on them so I don't know how Trump is claiming his tariffs are reciprocal.

FYI,
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/japan-import-tariffs

Their tariffs are nowhere near the 24% Trump levied on them so I don't know how Trump is claiming his tariffs are reciprocal.

What were Japan's tariff rates compared to the US rates on Japan's goods BEFORE Trump?

When trying to create balance, you have use the same disparity as before, but on the opposing sides.

What were Japan's tariff rates compared to the US rates on Japan's goods BEFORE Trump?

When trying to create balance, you have use the same disparity as before, but on the opposing sides.

Here is the most recent tariff rates before Trump became president again.
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/tariff/2025_01_01/index.htm

I was showing you current rates because you said they charge high tariffs.

Reciprocal mean they are equal, meaning I charge you 10% and you charge me 10%. Trump is being dishonest, the tariffs aren't matching what these other countries have on us rather they factor in trade deficits, in other words he is punishing countries which don't buy as much of our stuff as we buy of there stuff, not matching what they charge us.

Here is the most recent tariff rates before Trump became president again.
https://www.customs.go.jp/english/tariff/2025_01_01/index.htm

I was showing you current rates because you said they charge high tariffs.

Reciprocal mean they are equal, meaning I charge you 10% and you charge me 10%. Trump is being dishonest, the tariffs aren't matching what these other countries have on us rather they factor in trade deficits, in other words he is punishing countries which don't buy as much of our stuff as we buy of there stuff, not matching what they charge us.

Reciprocal means to exist on both sides.  There is no implication that the sides are in any way equal.

I can charge you 10% and you can reciprocate by charging me 35%.

So stupid.

reciprocate /rĭ-sĭp′rə-kāt″/
intransitive verb
1. To give or take mutually; interchange.
"The friends reciprocated favors."

2. To show, feel, or give in response or return.
"They opened their hearts to her, and she reciprocated their affection."

3. To give and take something mutually

If China RECIPROCATES to our 25% tariff with a 35% tariff, is that equal? 

FYI,
https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/japan-import-tariffs

Their tariffs are nowhere near the 24% Trump levied on them so I don't know how Trump is claiming his tariffs are reciprocal.

I believe trumps numbers include currency manipulation.

More Wins for Americans

DEI funding is DEAD
You mean there could have been paid actors at our Hawaii State Capitol?
Who would bankroll such things? Soros, the demorat party, USAID, hmmm
Prices are headed down. Buying opportunities will present themselves.
Hawaii resident Ed Dowd speaks.

Since his board of tariffs he showed, 50 countries called and want to make a deal.  Vietnam wants 0 tariffs for both. Taiwan too.  The EU wants to make a deal, but I forgot what it was, but it was beneficial to us.


***Update

EU wants to talk about 0 for 0 tariffs.

I believe trumps numbers include currency manipulation.

I didn't hear any currency manipulation mentioned in the equation but trade deficits were.

Found this explanation
"First, the formula. The alleged “tariff rate” from each trading partner is fully a function of trade aggregates, specifically, the deficit divided by US imports, with a minimum of 10 percent. No factors discussed by the administration in these documents or anywhere else (like tariffs, digital services taxes, value-added taxes, or monetary policy) play any role."
https://taxfoundation.org/blog/trump-reciprocal-tariffs-calculations/


This page gives the actual mathematical formula
https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/reciprocal-tariff-calculations

Reciprocal means to exist on both sides.  There is no implication that the sides are in any way equal.

I can charge you 10% and you can reciprocate by charging me 35%.

So stupid.
If China RECIPROCATES to our 25% tariff with a 35% tariff, is that equal?

Reciprocal can mean things are equal.
2. (of an agreement or obligation) bearing on or binding each of two parties equally.
"the treaty is a bilateral commitment with reciprocal rights and duties"

Regardless, the way Trump talked about tariffs is that he is just matching their tariffs on us. He has presented it as these other countries placing unfair tariffs on us and he is just responding in kind but his tariffs are not directly correlating to the tariffs being imposed by these other countries. That is where his statements are misleading.

If you bought me a lobster dinner then I bought your coffee the next day that would you consider that reciprocation? 

Reciprocal can mean things are equal.
2. (of an agreement or obligation) bearing on or binding each of two parties equally.
"the treaty is a bilateral commitment with reciprocal rights and duties"

Regardless, the way Trump talked about tariffs is that he is just matching their tariffs on us. He has presented it as these other countries placing unfair tariffs on us and he is just responding in kind but his tariffs are not directly correlating to the tariffs being imposed by these other countries. That is where his statements are misleading.

If you bought me a lobster dinner then I bought your coffee the next day that would you consider that reciprocation?

I'm again glad you have zero role in the negotiations. As seen in the Panama thread as the 1st evidence.

Reciprocal can mean things are equal.
2. (of an agreement or obligation) bearing on or binding each of two parties equally.
"the treaty is a bilateral commitment with reciprocal rights and duties"

Regardless, the way Trump talked about tariffs is that he is just matching their tariffs on us. He has presented it as these other countries placing unfair tariffs on us and he is just responding in kind but his tariffs are not directly correlating to the tariffs being imposed by these other countries. That is where his statements are misleading.

If you bought me a lobster dinner then I bought your coffee the next day that would you consider that reciprocation?

"Reciprocal rights and duties" are not entities that are quantifiable like goods are.  That statement means each side is afforded the same rights and duties.  That example is taken in the same context as concealed carry reciprocity, where the right to carry in one state is reciprocal in another.

When talking about goods, reciprocal just means "in exchange", not necessarily of the same value.

I notice how you have me buying the lobster dinner ($$$$) and you buying the coffee ($).  In real life, I'm sure that's how you normally operate.   

In your example, you made it more ridiculous than it would actually be.  If I bought you a lobster dinner, then you would reciprocate by picking up my check the next time we dined out.  There has to be some level of similarity for it to be actually reciprocal.  Hence, meeting tariff with tariff, regardless of the percentage, would be reciprocal. 

Also, the "calculation" you found is ONLY for applying the policy to imported goods.  The percentage itself is what includes the currency manipulation imbalance.  There's no publicize equation for determining the percentage in a tariff.  That number is defined by the economists who analyze what amount would be needed to balance the overall importation imbalance.  There are more factors in that number than Trump pulling it out of the air.

if you believe the percentage is as simple as you posted -- "taking the deficit divided by US imports, with a minimum of 10 percent" -- then maybe take a class in international trade and economics.

From 1790 to 1860, average tariffs increased from
20 percent to 60 percent before declining again to
20 percent. From 1861 to 1933, which Irwin
characterizes as the "restriction period", the average
tariffs increased to 50 percent and remained at that
level for several decades. From 1934 onwards, which
Irwin characterizes as the "reciprocity period", the
average tariff declined substantially until it leveled
off at 5 percent.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tariffs_in_the_United_States

"Reciprocal rights and duties" are not entities that are quantifiable like goods are.  That statement means each side is afforded the same rights and duties.  That example is taken in the same context as concealed carry reciprocity, where the right to carry in one state is reciprocal in another.

When talking about goods, reciprocal just means "in exchange", not necessarily of the same value.

I notice how you have me buying the lobster dinner ($$$$) and you buying the coffee ($).  In real life, I'm sure that's how you normally operate.   

In your example, you made it more ridiculous than it would actually be.  If I bought you a lobster dinner, then you would reciprocate by picking up my check the next time we dined out.  There has to be some level of similarity for it to be actually reciprocal.  Hence, meeting tariff with tariff, regardless of the percentage, would be reciprocal. 

Also, the "calculation" you found is ONLY for applying the policy to imported goods.  The percentage itself is what includes the currency manipulation imbalance.  There's no publicize equation for determining the percentage in a tariff.  That number is defined by the economists who analyze what amount would be needed to balance the overall importation imbalance.  There are more factors in that number than Trump pulling it out of the air.

How dare you not be objective and not use logic. What if this is a $100 cup of coffee. You know, the monkey poop type that's also covered with gold flakes and truffles.  Then what if you're on top of Mount Everest and have to pay someone to deliver that cup of coffee.  The delivery charge would be very high.

You're wrong for assuming a cup of coffee is one $ and lobster is more dollar signs $$$$. 

#objective

How dare you not be objective and not use logic. What if this is a $100 cup of coffee. You know, the monkey poop type that's also covered with gold flakes and truffles.  Then what if you're on top of Mount Everest and have to pay someone to deliver that cup of coffee.  The delivery charge would be very high.

You're wrong for assuming a cup of coffee is one $ and lobster is more dollar signs $$$$. 

#objective

If i offered to buy EEF a lobster dinner, it's only because I have a BOGO coupon!

Here is another great episode by Ron Yates
and It's only the beginning folks.