[Pete Svarrior]

Personally, I think it's a very cute touch that they took this idea and wrapped it in . It really shows how little they think of their electorate.

[Action80]

Pete, the video narrator admits he cannot address the issue of the equation and the entire page being generated by ChatGPT. The entire thing is nonsense and likely not legitimate. You should figure out what you are arguing against.

"TARIFFS BAD!!!", is a bullshit argument, coming from a group of people residing in countries that generate a great deal of income from tariffs and initiated the idea of "fealty to kings" bullshit.

[Pete Svarrior]

Pete, the video narrator admits he cannot address the issue of the equation and the entire page being generated by ChatGPT.

I didn't watch the video, and I'm not talking about it. I'll take your advice and continue not to watch it.

"TARIFFS BAD!!!", is a bullshit argument

Tariffs can be good, or they can be bad. These tariffs, however, will be very bad to your everyday Joe.

[Action80]

Pete, the video narrator admits he cannot address the issue of the equation and the entire page being generated by ChatGPT.

I didn't watch the video, and I'm not talking about it. I'll take your advice and continue not to watch it.

Good! But the only reason you are able to rail against the equation is due to the video; otherwise, you would have never even heard about it and we would have never been able to experience your "lunatic fringe" humor regarding it.

"TARIFFS BAD!!!", is a bullshit argument

Tariffs can be good, or they can be bad. These tariffs, however, will be very bad to your everyday Joe.

It is nice to know you have become so well-versed in economics, market prognostication, and fortune-telling.

When can we expect to see some documentation supporting the shingle you will soon hang outside your office door?

[garygreen]

y'all i really need some help. i'm running a massive trade deficit with my local grocer. i keep giving them money in exchange for food, but they never ever buy anything from me. this is so unfair. i'm losing money on every transaction! help!

[AATW]

presented a nonsense equation

Exactly. It's a nonsense equation. And it's one they used to do these calculations. That isn't idle speculation, they published it:

https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/reciprocal-tariff-calculations

The video explains why it's nonsense and I don't think you have to be an economic genius to know that tariffs should be applied strategically and not using an Excel formula.

[Action80]

AATW doesn't know the source of the equation, except to say he saw it on a video first, and the video that told him about it also told him the equation possibly came from ChatGPT and is not the actual fucking basis of the tariff calculations.

Jesus fucking Christ, people don't pay attention to the bullshit they are serving up.

garygreen wants everyone to believe he receives nothing in exchange for his money.

Probably doesn't as he couldn't tell a nickle from a manhole cover anyway.

[AATW]

AATW doesn't know the source of the equation

Yes I do. Tom posted a video above about it Navarro said it comes from the Council of Economical Advisors.
This is the equation they used - they have said it is and I've provided the link to the government site which says so.

People said "hang on...isn't that just the exports minus the imports divided by the imports" and they were like
"No, look, it's really complicated, look at this equation. Aren't we clever?"
Then people immediately noticed they set ε at 4 and φ at 0.25. What's 4x0.25, genius? Those two things cancel out. So it is exactly what people said it was 

They then basically put that equation into an Excel formula, or the equivalent of it, and used that to define a global trade policy.
As I keep saying, tariffs aren't bad. They're not good either. They're just a mechanism. But they should be used strategically, not just using some formula to define them.
It's just the latest example of the complete lack of seriousness and competence at the highest level of your government.

[Action80]

No, Tom explains the equation for calculating the tariffs comes from the Council of Economic Advisors, not the bullshit equation you and the video you love are referring to.

STFU with your bullshit.

[AATW]

the equation for calculating the tariffs comes from the Council of Economic Advisors, not the bullshit equation you and the video you love are referring to.

It's the same equation.

[Shane]

the grocery store is treating garygreen very badly.  they've been treating him very badly for many years

[DuncanDoenitz]

Probably doesn't as he couldn't tell a nickle from a manhole cover anyway.

That's "nickel".  Unless you can't tell a nickle from an asshole cover.   

[Pete Svarrior]

Good! But the only reason you are able to rail against the equation is due to the video; otherwise, you would have never even heard about it

Huh? I heard about the equation from the USTR website. I have not seen the video you keep talking about. It kind of sounds like you want me to watch it, though?

It is nice to know you have become so well-versed in economics, market prognostication, and fortune-telling.

As you well know, my insight is prophetic. My knowledge has been granted unto me by the Gods, and so it shall be the truth. Moreover, my esteemed colleague Vair Soir (a renowned economist btw) agrees with me.



In other news: the geniuses are fighting

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrgx4ky1xxo

[AATW]

Good! But the only reason you are able to rail against the equation is due to the video; otherwise, you would have never even heard about it

Huh? I heard about the equation from the USTR website. I have not seen the video you keep talking about. It kind of sounds like you want me to watch it, though?

It's a Matt Parker StandUpMaths video I posted about the equation pointing out what nonsense it is and how little sense it makes to base any policy based on it.
My favourite bit is how they claimed it wasn't as simple as people were saying but included two terms into which they plugged in the values 0.25 and 4 which therefore cancel out and make it exactly what people were saying 
Now Action appears to be saying this isn't the formula they used despite me posting a link to the US .gov site where they cite the equation and explain the terms.

[Action80]

I am sure Pete follows the page of the Trade Rep very closely. [/sarcasm]

The vid AATW is nonsense, the equation is nonsense and likely generated by ChatGPT.

Wouldn't be the first time any branch of government issued a statement or numbers chock full of disinfo.

[Tom Bishop]

It's a Matt Parker StandUpMaths video I posted about the equation pointing out what nonsense it is and how little sense it makes to base any policy based on it.

I gave you the name of the organization it came from, the Council of Economic Advisors. This is an Executive Branch organization which advises the President of the United States on economic policy.

Considering this, why would you keep going back to the standup math comedian you posted? This is barely one step up from referencing the commentary you see on Saturday morning cartoons. Seriously, this is not an appropriate way to gain knowledge. You have previously posted standup comedians and leftist comedy websites as your sources of information. You really need to reevaluate who and where you are getting your knowledge from. It doesn't really matter what your video says because it is an unqualified and ridiculous source.

[AATW]

the equation is nonsense and likely generated by ChatGPT.

Correct.

And yet they based policy on it.
I’m glad you finally agree they’re incompetent

[Action80]

You have no idea whether the tariff policy is actually based on that equation is the point, Copernicus, and it is incompetent for even introducing any analysis based on it.

[garygreen]

timmy and actionlackey are right, it's just stupid crybaby liberals who think this is bad policy. deranged, leftist comedians like ben shapiro and the national review.


https://www.aei.org/economics/president-trumps-tariff-formula-makes-no-economic-sense-its-also-based-on-an-error/

The formula for the tariffs, originally credited to the Council of Economic Advisers and published by the Office of the United States Trade Representative, does not make economic sense. The trade deficit with a given country is not determined only by tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers, but also by international capital flows, supply chains, comparative advantage, geography, etc.
...
Now, our view is that the formula the administration relied on has no foundation in either economic theory or trade law. But if we are going to pretend that it is a sound basis for US trade policy, we should at least be allowed to expect that the relevant White House officials do their calculations carefully. Hopefully they will correct their mistake soon: the resulting trade liberalization would provide a much-needed boost to the economy and may yet help us stave off a recession.

Why can’t I have a factory job just like 1955 Ford? Yes, I’m sure that you wanted to be in a non-air conditioned factory, riveting all day ... that’s your ideal job. No it isn’t.
...
I can name you a period in American history where there was a fairly large surplus in America’s balance of trade. The entire Great Depression.

https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/04/congress-should-end-trumps-trade-war/

If it seems preposterous that a single person could enjoy this much power over the American economy — and, with it, the global economy — rest assured that it is. In Article I, the Constitution vests the “power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises” in Congress, not in the president. As a result, the president has no power to impose tariffs that he has not been accorded by an act of the legislature. If it desires, Congress can choose to take back as much of that power as it sees fit. It ought to do so — and do so now.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-tariffs-republican-donor-ken-langone-b2729352.html

Longtime Republican megadonor and Home Depot co-founder Ken Langone has slammed the president’s tariffs as “bulls****”.
...
“I don’t understand the goddamn formula,” he said. “I believe he’s been poorly advised by his advisers about this trade situation – and the formula they’re applying.”

[AATW]

You have no idea whether the tariff policy is actually based on that equation is the point, Copernicus, and it is incompetent for even introducing any analysis based on it.

Sigh.
They literally published the formula and said it's what they based the tariffs on.
In the video you are deriding Parker plugs in the numbers for imports and exports into that formula and manages to recreate the tariffs on Trump's chart.
So yes I do.