LinkSoul60

The funny thing is, or probably best said the sad thing is...are you at all surprised? His entire life has been one big grift so why not give it all in his last hurrah of being a wannabe dictator. It's both comical and concerning that the US put restrictions on advanced computer chips as a national security concern, but Trump disregards that now he's blackmailed Nvidia and AMD into pay for play. So much for supposed national security if he can make a buck or two.... It's why he met Tan/Intel yesterday and raved about him today, despite calling for his removal last week. The guy is a daily joke....

The reality is that it took your red hat group a while to figure that out while your orange idol touted tariffs. Trump had two mandates from the election....inflation and immigration. He's made a TV show out of immigration and deportation that is essentially the same as Biden deported, and has turned tariffs into the alienating of allies that will bite the US short and long term, and now into a pay for play scenario for many businesses that will also bite the US short and long term. He continues to steer the US towards being the stand-alone joke in a global world.... Commentary: Trump is reviving crony capitalism If you’re a CEO aiming to do business in the Trump era, set aside a slush fund for paying tribute to the Decider-in-Chief. Okay, so maybe they’re not bribes, exactly. But Trump is essentially extorting certain companies to get things he wants from them. Clever CEOs are playing along, whether shareholders like it or not. Exhibit A consists of Nvidia (NVDA) and AMD (AMD), which are basically buying export licenses from the Trump administration so they can sell semiconductors in China. Both companies have agreed to pay the US government 15% of their revenues from chip sales in China in exchange for the right to sell there. “My political head is spinning again with this new pay-to-play plan with Nvidia and AMD,” Peter Boockvar, chief investment officer at Bleakley Financial Group, wrote in an Aug. 11 analysis. “I pray for the sake of American free market capitalism that it stops here." The Nvidia and AMD deals immediately bring to mind competitor Intel (INTC), which hasn’t yet agreed to cough up an export toll. Here’s a safe guess: It, too, will pay a similar fee for similar privileges. At the moment, Intel is doing damage control. On Aug. 7, Trump directly attacked CEO Lip-Bu Tan, saying on social media that he “must resign, immediately.” Trump and some other Republicans seem to be concerned that Tan had improper connections with China’s military at another firm he ran until 2021. Tan, a US citizen, now plans to meet with Trump to demonstrate his commitment to American interests, according to the Wall Street Journal. Fine. But that’s probably not what Trump is looking for. Trump has a feral instinct for detecting vulnerability in adversaries and using that leverage to extract measurable gains. He’ll want something more tangible from Tan and Intel than reassurances. Trump’s favorite currency is money. Intel probably has no choice but to pay. Nvidia’s 15% gratuity to the government for chip sales to China will cost the firm about $3 billion per year. The company’s stock dipped on the news, then drifted up. Investors may have first thought only of the bottom line, then decided the payment would be better than losing chip sales to China completely. The hit to AMD would be smaller because its China sales are lower. AMD stock also dipped then rose following the news. Intel stock rose on news of Tan’s chat with Trump, as buyers hope the company’s damage-control effort pays off. Trump has engineered this whole scenario. In April, Trump tightened restrictions on US chip sales to China, essentially blocking the sale of certain chips. Nvidia said that move would cost the company $5.5 billion in lost revenue. Then, in July, Trump reversed himself and decided to allow such chip sales to China. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has met several times with Trump during the last several months and has become an aggressive advocate for policies that benefit his company. When Trump changed his position in mid-July, it looked as if Huang had simply convinced Trump it was the right move. But the 15% gratuity now makes it look as if a deal was in the works that gave Trump some additional government revenue to crow about. Crony capitalism is a system in which the rich and well-connected get their way because they have personal sway with decision makers. The Gilded Age, or “robber baron” era of the late 1800s was perhaps the peak of crony capitalism in the United States. One result was the massive concentration of wealth among leading industrialists, which eventually led to the union movement, the graduated income tax, and much stronger regulation of business. We’re not back to the robber baron days — yet. But Trump clearly favors CEOs and companies that do his bidding and help him boast of what he considers victories. Trump often dangles the bait himself. And he clearly realizes that his authority to impose tariffs unilaterally gives him a certain power over CEOs, companies, and even entire countries. Trump threatened Apple with steep tariffs on its imported products earlier this year, unless it started making the iPhone and other products in the United States. That would double or triple the cost of an iPhone, making it financially ruinous. But CEO Tim Cook met with Trump recently to tout other domestic investments. That led to a splashy made-in-America “announcement” with Cook at the White House on Aug. 6, the kind of publicity stunt Trump revels in Trump refused approval for a deal crucial to Paramount’s finances until the company agreed to a generous legal settlement involving its CBS subsidiary and canceled the show of comedian Stephen Colbert, a vocal Trump critic. Then Trump’s regulators approved the deal. Paramount did what Trump wanted and got the favor it was seeking. Trump has browbeaten Coca-Cola into making soda with real cane sugar, perhaps to reward sugar-industry barons who happen to be political supporters. He has muscled a dozen big law firms into doing pro bono work for his pet causes. Many big companies have rolled back diversity and inclusion policies because Trump finds them offensive. In many cases those firms moved preemptively, on their own, simply to avoid the possibility that Trump would threaten their federal contracts or try to drum up a consumer boycott against them. Trump’s method of favor-trading is the velvet glove: seek back-scratching deals first, then attack if he doesn’t get them. CEOs are figuring out that it’s better to work with Trump behind the scenes than go through the whole painful process of refusing Trump’s demands, facing a Trump threat, watching their stock tank, trying to make nice with Trump, and then agreeing to some kind of face-saving deal anyway. Nvidia’s Huang is the model Trump-whisperer, making concessions that seem like win-wins and bypassing the confrontational part of the cycle. More CEOs are likely to follow. There are obvious risks. Some of these deals, such as the export gratuities, could be illegal and overturned by the courts, causing more uncertainty for firms than they might face otherwise. CEOs who bed down with Trump may also be betting too heavily on one party and pay the consequences if the other party ever regains power. Their brands could also suffer, as Elon Musk’s Tesla has, if consumers begin to view CEOs or their companies as partisan operators. But for now, the money move is to play Trump's game, because it's the only game in town. Rick Newman is a senior columnist for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on Blueskyand

I'm done wasting my time with you. The only thing you know is how to be a sad little political hack. It's all you got.... What a fool....

What a fool... The plan was just announced today and it's already one of the greatest scandals to be the country has ever seen. I can only imagine how you think. What a fool.... You embarrass yourself non-stop. What a fool.... This is the part of your act where you say you've explained something, but you haven't said anything other than it's all a scam to benefit Carney and friends. I could be in grade 6 and tell you that. What a fool.... Try to read this time. You may find others ways the big scam will be pulled off. https://liberal.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/292/2025/03/Mark-Carneys-Liberals-unveil-Canadas-most-ambitious-housing-plan-since-the-Second-World-War.pdf

You have no idea what you're talking about do you. You're also beyond oblivious....the federal government reports all financial activities, crown or otherwise. "It's an old trick'.... lol, what a fool. I could go on like you do now about remembering when you were young and stupid, but I won't. Suffice to say that after all these years you're still batting .500

Wow.... are you always this miserable with life, or do you smile every know and then when/if you get out in the big bad corrupt world? I'm not really following what you're saying, and you're not either.... There was no financing details I saw but it's low cost financing....meaning lesser than a public or private lender will offer. It said the financing could provide up to 20% savings for the prefab builder. If this new entity is as intended and ran a surplus, that's a problem how? And what are you talking about 'it's fine for the prime minister to steal money as long as he gives some crumbs to the small percent of canadians with a stock portfolio and screw the rest?' Really.... This is when I laugh at you.... Little man gets defensive because he finally realized he doesn't know what he's talking about so needs to slam me, or anyone else who calls out your BS. What a fool....

Are you really this stupid? If you read the article they don't know how it will be structured yet. Whether it's a crown corporation or a special purpose entity doesn't matter.... financial records MUST be kept regardless of whether it's a government or private business. That's only common knowledge, and sense isn't it....and why we get to see an annual government financial report. 'Books'.... lol, did you get that from Kojack reruns? Either way it's going to be a government entity. You obviously don't understand that financial records must be kept....government or private. You prove it over and over, and little rivals your stupidity. You talk for the sake of talking.... and always with your partisan BS

Again, you always revert to being a kid There are a large number of prefab home builders in Canada. You make the asinine comment 'that will be setting up in Canada'. Where can I find this prefabbed lie? Yes, I guessing that most Canadian's who are invested in the stock market or mutual funds have at least some or all BN, and RY, TD, BMO, CN, CPKC, ENB, etc, etc.... What's your point....only companies he has an investment with gets the business? What a fool.... And yes, you do embarrass yourself with your mindless partisanship. What a fool....

That's from 4 years ago. Things have changed a little bit. Got anything recent? Why do you always revert to talking like a kid would to their pet dog. You seem to think anyone who doesn't agree with your mindless ideals is upset or crying. Quite the opposite actually... laughing would be more fitting. "you have no idea of the cost of living'.... That is stupid, even for you. Believe what you want about whether I have children (or grandchildren) or not. Believe or think what you want about my education or career experience. I honestly don't give a sh*t about what you think or don't think. The rest of your typical partisan schtick.... a waste of time reading and responding.

How is there 'truth' in a hypothetical? Your truth yes, but also we know you're a partisan hack. The Canadian people didn't want Poilievre to be PM so we obviously don't know how he'd be faring, do we.

No weird fantasies. You're just a pathetic little man. Assume and think anything you'd like about my voting record if it satisfy's your partisan excitement. It appears it's all you got so have at it if it helps fill your days. Otherwise and as always, your response is totally useless. Where is there any 'estimates' of how the Canadian economy will perform for the next 40 years? I'm also very aware of the cost of living and how that affects younger people so save the sob story. My children and their families are living and b*tch less than you do. But, this is why we have a new Prime Minister, and why it's Carney, and not Poilievre and his maple maga schtick. Move on little man....

Your idiocy is truly monumental, seriously! Carney owns shares in BN...what exactly does that have to do with anything? You do nothing but continue to embarrass yourself with each of your partisan comments.... Did you even read this? If you did why are you saying it's egregious because it's a 'separate entity' when it's not clear how it will operate? As usual you thoroughly embarrass your pathetic partisan *ss with comments of all Carney's friends and companies he's invested in will be the beneficiaries. You're a pathetic partisan hack. Try reading the story you posted fool!

What other words.... How is it being abused? H1B visas are being given because the US does not have the talent pool to fill many specialized positions so companies look to those visa holders. It's not that complicated for you, is it? Again though, where is the abuse?

You would be the 6 year old, and that's being generous little man. Try taking your empty head out of your conservative *ss sometime and read about where partisan politics that AH's like you and politicians play have turned people off. Because you're a partisan hack you've gone along and made the assumption that I've voted liberal in every past election. Keep assuming DF, and for what it's worth, a generation is 20 to 30 years....not 5 years.

That's also part of the right wing narrative.... everyone listens to CBC or other main stream media. You need a new act man... Send those links okay. Maybe you can find them on rebel news or truth social.

Hurt my feelings.... on the contrary. One reason I come to this forum is to laugh at fools like you so I do appreciate the laughs, although I can't imagine the world of conspiracy and ideology you live in. Yes, I'm aware of what's happened in this country during Trudeau's leadership but fortunately haven't taken to the typical and comical right wing BS verbiage you spew. I've said it in this forum before and will again.... I'm not loyal to any political party and wouldn't have voted for Trudeau if he was the only person on the ballot. I also wouldn't have voted for Poliievre if he was the only person on the ballot. Fortunately, and by resume only right now we might have a PM who can actually turn this country around. So, I'll assume you have no links to provide then for Carney destroying O&G projects and telling the auto industry to FO, right?

lol... you have nothing except for your conservative partisanship. You're also too much of a political hack to understand that more and more people are generally getting tired of politics and politicians. Again, sorry your career politician who knows little of the real world didn't get elected but keep your moral victory that it was a closer election alive. Moral victories are for losers so right in your wheel house....

Did I miss the links showing where he's tried to destroy O&G projects and told the auto industry to FO? You got nothing except for your right wing ideology, do you....

Other than the fact you need plans, proponents, provincial and FN buy-ins, no real reason.... Are you really this naive to think that any major project can start this quickly? You need to find a new vocabulary. The right wing BS is laughable, and getting stale. I'm going to be just fine regardless of what he does. You on the other hand sitting in your room reading Rebel news while preparing for tyranny and slavery, probably not so much....

Why don't you just answer the question and show me in a link where he is 'trying to destroy as much oil & gas projects in Canada as possible' and just one instance where he's said he's not listening to auto industry he met with last month and keeping the Trudeau governments 20235 target for EV's. I don't care about your typical right wing BS verbiage of globalist, marxist, fascist or lieberal..... show me where/when he's tried to destroy O&G projects and where he said he won't listen to the auto industry. Rebel News.... get a life! 😂

Yes, it most likely will shake itself out as countries diversify their trade further away from the US.... Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers on Thursday likened U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to that of Juan Perón's government in Argentina in 1946, calling Trump's policies “scarily reminiscent” of Perón's. Summers, who served as Treasury Secretary from 1999 to 2001 under Bill Clinton, told Bloomberg TV that Americans must pay attention to the cautionary lessons from postwar Argentina and other European nations after World War I. “Argentina went completely off track because of decisions made in a few years by an elected – through a democracy – leader who pursued autocracy rather than venerating democracy, and that should be a cautionary tale for everyone in the business community, and everyone involved in our political process,” Summers, who is also a Harvard University professor, said. Perón came to power in Argentina at a time when the country was the fifth largest economy in the world at the beginning of the 20th century. Perón, wishing to make Argentina more self-sufficient, implemented trade protectionist policies such as high tariffs, which eventually led to an economic downfall, according to a 2023 analysis by think tank OMFIF. “Over time, as the nationalism took hold, as economic success became more and more about who is friends with the government – and less and less about who was really good at producing products and competing with foreigners – Argentina’s economic performance became calamitous,” Summers said. “It’s a model that, if you think about it, is scarily reminiscent of what we are doing right now.” Summers' comments come at a time when Trump has faced criticism for actions beyond trade policies. The President's recent firing of Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer, just hours after a significantly weak July jobs report, sparked 'banana republic' concerns. Summers, speaking on Bloomberg TV’s Wall Street Week with David Westin, said that although the U.S. had “highly resilient institutions,” he saw parallels with Perón's government, including protectionism, “a cult of personality around the leader,” and attacks on the media, universities, and law firms. Summers also expressed skepticism about some of Trump’s economic promises centered around tariffs. “You don’t know what they mean, because you don’t know what the baseline would have been,” he said, and added that there is going to be “a lot of investment that goes out, because we’re making ourselves such a more problematic hub for production when we’re raising the price of all the inputs.” He added that the consequence of some of these trade policies may give way to a manufacturing sector “that is both quantitatively smaller and qualitatively inferior.” “We are alienating the rest of the world; higher priced inputs, much more uncertainty for investors and alienating of customers can’t be the right strategy,” he concluded, adding that “there’s a winner here… His name is Xi Jinping.”

Most people have common sense and will try to do the right thing in a bad situation. On the other hand there are always going to be fools who can't accept common sense and feel compelled to complain because of their so-called loss of rights....until it's one of their homes or land that burns down.

If you read a bit more you'd know that H1B visas are given to fill specialty occupations, which companies cannot fill from home grown talent, or better said, lack of talent or qualifications. The US has a labour shortage....are you not aware of this?

Offer just one instance where you can show Carney is 'trying to destroy as much oil & gas projects in Canada as possible' and just one instance where he's said he's not listening to auto industry he met with last month and keeping the Trudeau governments 20235 target for EV's. Right wing political BS is ingrained in your head. Hop into the real world for a minute and point out what he's done or said on the two points that claimed.

lol... you even have a VP that wears more eye liner than Sid Vicious ever did. Trump and Vance, a made from Loreal pair if there was ever one. You have a different view of a 'man' 😂