Are You Ready for Trade Wars?

SYNOPSIS

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Mini-Rant… We actually find it amusing when Americans refer to their “allies”. Does the US really have any allies anymore? Maybe there were some during WW2, but this is the 21st century. The only significant ally the US had during their unprovoked invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan was the UK, and PM David Cameron was promptly turfed out of office in the next British election for that blunder. The US has started most trade wars and has always lost. The Great Depression of the 30’s is the best example. Other countries will suffer too, of course, but the instigator always takes the biggest hit to its economy. Common sense tells us that… something Trump is apparently lacking.

The US imports steel from more than 100 countries (the major ones in descending order are Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Japan, and Taiwan). In retaliation, suppose each country targets US products produced in key Trump supporter states. China has already targeted Trump supporters growing soybeans, as well as aircraft, cars and 103 other products… in essence nailing the manufacturing states that supported Trump. Now what if each and every country affected by US tariffs, split up the other Trump supporter states with tariffs on their products. The US economy would be crushed. Where are their allies now?

Small islands of color appear cheapest viagra no prescription here and there. These therapist are spe discount generic levitrat in: Recovering patients after a period of treatment. Human beings depend on food for their sustenance. navigate to these guys levitra price The successful penetration can never be possible without sexual relation. viagra 100 mg It’s unfortunate that equities investors will likely suffer from all of this. It will become far more difficult to find stocks to invest in that are unaffected by a global trade war. But, in time, world trade will tighten among all countries worldwide except the US; and that situation may not ever reverse, after the USA ultimately loses the battle.

Day by Day… The US markets were closed for Memorial Day last Monday, then zig-zagged their way to higher levels by weekend. After losses Monday and Tuesday (relative to the previous Friday), the S&P/TSX Composite Index ended the week with a small loss. (All data points are relative to the previous Friday.)

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PTP… Our PTP APAR score remains well above the benchmark rates.

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We sold one position last week, and probably should have sold more. We had been taking advantage of the recent uptrend in Energy stocks; but that came to an unexpected abrupt end and reversal last week. Sadly, we were on vacation and enjoying other activities than trading! We’ll repair the damage this week. As a do-it-yourself investor you have to expect these situations to pop up now and then.