Posts by Jesse Hughes6

So you flew all the way to Washington, D.C. just to pick up dollars at that rate?

urbanotter said:I suppose it depends on your perspective; at the end of the day, some people will be freezing while others are raking in the cash.

And when that happens, I don't think anyone is going to find it particularly 😉funny.😉

Besides, there are plenty of people like Zlikovski out there—it feels like an entire choir of them.

https://www.google.com/search?q=russia...client=gws-wiz

Right.

Instead of just being upfront and saying, "Yeah, I screwed up, I didn't read this carefully, I just blurted out something stupid," you decide to wrap it in this layer of fake irony.

Fascinating.

Larry Walker24 said:How Russia is actually making up for all the stuff they can't import because of sanctions: Just making it themselves

Wow. That article is... wow! Might just be a candidate for the Pulitzer.

urbanotter said:You mentioned 70%,

but then they go around claiming it hit 82%. Honestly, what do journalists really know? They can't tell the difference between 10% more or less if their lives depended on it.

When you weigh that $100 billion in gold against our own zero, it starts to look pretty 😉
much more significant.

Economic genius Mirko E. Zlikovski—the legend himself, striking again.

If he could just manage to master basic reading comprehension, this whole situation would be slightly less of a comedy routine.

As it stands, it's just pathetic.

Nathan Evans78 said:I’m not quite sure who you’re asking, but honestly, I don't really care about the context here. I just look at the historical charts and throw some numbers out there for us all to debate.

Every single economy is going to be feeling the fallout from the Fed's moves and these aggressive sanctions throughout 2023. If the Russian economy doesn't completely collapse, that war machine isn't going to stop grinding. And if Americans end up having to burn trash just to stay warm this winter, we could easily be looking at a return to those dark, desperate days. ☕

You.
Cool, so context doesn't matter to you and you're just staring at historical charts. Fine. Why don't you show us a historical USD/EUR chart then? Let's say, from 1980 to 1995, or some period like that.

Richard Wilson4 said:Everyone’s acting like this exchange rate is gonna stay stuck like this forever...

Maybe it will. Maybe we'll see 0.85 Euro = 1 USD.

Bryan Booth82 said:Germany, no matter how you slice it.
Lp

Well, they aren't the only ones, but yeah, you aren't wrong.

ironranger69 said:Then why don't you explain to us why the Euro is tanking? Take thirty minutes, go Google it, and actually find a real explanation.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy A72

He doesn't care about context. He just... tosses numbers around. He doesn't grasp what they mean, how they work, or what's actually happening, but sure, he'll just toss them out there.

So, what’s your take on this? Which economy actually benefits from a parity situation where 1 Euro equals 1 USD, versus one where the Euro hits 1.6 USD against the Dollar?

Jack Hill2 said:Gas imports: Then vs. Now (weekly average over the last 4 weeks)

2022
LNG 2,732 (38.4%)
Norway 2,711 (38.1%)
Russia 1,009 (14.2%)
Algeria 660 (9.3%)
__________________________
Total: 7,112

2021
Russia 3,057 (41.2%)
Norway 2,018 (27.2%)
LNG 1,654 (22.2%)
Algeria 701 (9.4%)
__________________________
Total: 7,430

Currently, Europe has sourced 6,103 out of the 7,430 units imported during this same period last year from sources other than Russia. This means Europe's reliance on Russia has dropped from 40% down to just 17%.

Meanwhile, Russian gas exports to Europe have plummeted from 3 billion to 1 billion...

Counting oil doesn't make sense here. Europe isn't dependent on Russia for oil at all. By the end of the year, 98% of oil will be imported from other sources.

Where did you pull this from? I'd love to see some other data points if you have them. Thanks!

Jack Kelly5 said:Some guy claiming to be an economics expert just posted this:

I honestly don't know whether I should laugh or just start crying at that one.

The guy clearly doesn't even grasp the fundamental difference between nominal GDP and PPP, yet somehow he still finds the confidence to keep talking as if he knows what he's doing.

urbanotter said:That’s your take on the situation, and I’ve laid out mine, so I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see who actually ends up being right. From where I’m sitting, it isn't just about how much stuff is being shipped off to Europe to meet demand; there is also this significant upward trend in wages for workers in China. As those folks start bringing home more money, they naturally begin purchasing more goods themselves, which creates this internal momentum that drives the entire economy forward. It’s a bit like when I noticed my own neighborhood starting to thrive—once people felt a little more financial security, the local shops suddenly saw a massive surge in business, and it feels like a similar ripple effect is happening on a much larger scale there.
Look, if we’re being honest, economic growth isn't just some abstract metric tied to one specific nation. It really comes down to the people actually pulling the trigger on purchases. Whether it's someone living in the States, a resident of Europe, a citizen in China, or even someone over in Brazil, the engine of the economy is driven by whoever decides to buy those goods from China. It's all interconnected through consumer demand.
When you really step back and look at what drives true economic growth, it isn't actually about who is sitting on the other side of the transaction. I remember watching my grandfather run his small hardware store back in Ohio; he used to say that the name on the receipt mattered far less than the fact that the inventory was moving out the door. It’s the same principle on a macro level. Real expansion comes from the sheer volume of goods being sold, regardless of whether the buyer is a local family or a massive foreign corporation. At the end of the day, velocity and demand are what move the needle.

I assume you might be able to back up that claim with some actual data? Perhaps some specific indicators or metrics to help us understand the full picture?

I’ve been spending some time digging through the latest reports regarding those persistent supply chain headaches, specifically looking into the shortages of semiconductors and various manufactured goods coming out of China and a few other overseas hubs rather than from domestic American factories. It’s a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, rabbit hole to fall down. I remember back when I was working in logistics a few years ago, we used to deal with these little hiccups all the time, but nothing quite compares to the sheer scale of what we're seeing now with the global chip shortage. It really makes you realize how much our entire economy relies on those specific manufacturing corridors halfway across the world.

It’s almost like watching a child play pretend with how they envision the economy working. They think they can just conjure up growth out of thin air, but the reality is much harsher—you can't build an economic powerhouse without sufficient reserves, and you certainly can't bypass the fundamental rules of finance. It’s a mistake I’ve seen people make time and again; they fail to realize that the growth rates China is aiming for are entirely dependent on the purchasing power and consumption levels of the West. Without that Western demand, the whole math simply doesn't add up.

Are you seriously trying to convince me that wages haven't been climbing in China? It feels like we’re ignoring the reality on the ground. Beyond that, if you look at the numbers, only about 600 to 700 million people have actually been pulled into this massive wave of progress, which leaves a staggering amount of untapped potential. They still have a massive reserve of labor ready to go and an endless supply of new customers waiting in the wings. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that they aren't just getting started.
You’ve gone quiet on us, though I suppose that isn't exactly out of character for some people.

I don't think that's quite right. Looking at the broader trends across the European Union, I expect things to hover around the 7% mark through the end of this year, though we should probably prepare ourselves for a correction sometime in 2023 that settles somewhere in the 2.5% to 3% range.

It’s pretty clear you haven't spent much time lately wandering the aisles of a local grocery store or pulling up to a gas station, because if you had, you'd see just how much the prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed.
Honestly, you can keep harping on about those 7% figures or trying to squeeze out an extra 2.5% to 3% if that makes you feel better, but I think we both know where this is actually heading.

America.

The latest economic data suggests we might finally be seeing the peak of this inflation wave, which feels like a massive relief after everything we've been through over the last couple of years. I remember sitting around my kitchen table last summer, looking at my grocery receipts and feeling this genuine sense of dread every time I walked into a supermarket; it wasn't just about the numbers on a screen, it was about that sinking feeling in your gut when you realize your paycheck doesn't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Now, looking at the recent indicators, there’s a growing consensus among analysts that the most aggressive price hikes might be behind us. Of course, while the headline figures look more manageable, I think it's important to remain cautious rather than overly celebratory. Even if the rate of increase is slowing down, prices aren't necessarily dropping—they are simply climbing at a less frantic pace. It’s a subtle but vital distinction. For many families across the country, the "stabilization" of inflation still means living with much higher costs than they were accustomed to just a few years ago. We are essentially adjusting to a "new normal" where the cost of living has shifted upward permanently. I've been following the Federal Reserve's moves quite closely lately, and it seems they are walking a very fine line. They want to cool things down enough to stop the bleeding without accidentally triggering a recession that could hurt employment. It reminds me of a situation I dealt with at my old job back in Chicago; we had to scale back our budget significantly to stay solvent, but we had to be incredibly careful not to cut so deep that we lost our best people. It’s a delicate balancing act, both for central bankers and for everyday Americans trying to navigate their own household budgets. While the news is cautiously optimistic, I believe we should keep a watchful eye on upcoming labor market reports before we declare total victory over inflation.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately looking over the recent economic data coming out of the European Union, and I can't help but feel a sense of growing concern regarding the inflation rates we're seeing across the continent. It feels like every time I sit down to check the latest reports, the numbers seem to tell a story of persistent instability that just won't settle down. I remember back when I was first starting my career in finance, there was a certain level of predictability to how these cycles moved, but what we are witnessing now feels different—more volatile and harder to pin down. It isn't just about the rising cost of groceries at the local supermarket or the sting of higher gas prices at the pump, though those are certainly felt by everyone; it's more about the systemic pressure being placed on the entire economic structure of the EU. You start to see how these price hikes ripple through various sectors, affecting everything from manufacturing to consumer confidence, creating this heavy, lingering uncertainty that hangs over the markets. It makes you wonder how much longer the current monetary policies can hold steady before we see a more significant shift in the landscape.

Inflation has hit a staggering new high, and honestly, it’s getting harder to ignore how much this is squeezing the average household budget. Looking at the latest data, we are seeing numbers that feel almost surreal compared to what we were used to just a few years ago. It feels like every time I walk into a local grocery store or pull up to a gas station, there's that momentary hesitation before checking the total on the screen—that small, sinking feeling in your gut because you know the prices have jumped again since last month. I remember talking to a friend of mine who works in retail over in Chicago, and she was telling me how they've had to practically re-label items almost weekly just to keep up with the shifting costs. It isn't just about the big-ticket items either; it's the cumulative effect of everything from eggs to electricity. When you see inflation hitting these record levels, it’s easy to get lost in the macroeconomics of it all, but for most people, it’s a very visceral, daily struggle to maintain the same standard of living. We are essentially paying more for less, and that's a difficult reality to swallow when you're trying to plan for the future or even just manage next week's expenses.

Please, I’m asking you, don't try to lecture me on economics. Based on everything you've said so far, it’s pretty clear you don't have much of a grasp on the subject, and most of what you write just feels like pure daydreaming rather than actual analysis.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about what actually keeps our economy standing tall on the global stage. It seems to me that the true strength of Western economies isn't found in a race to the bottom to see who can offer the lowest price tag. Instead, our real competitive edge is built on a foundation of deep knowledge, constant innovation, and the ability to create genuine, high-level added value. It reminds me of watching how certain tech giants in Silicon Valley operate; they don't just win by being cheap, they win because they own the intellectual property and the creative spark that others simply can't replicate.

I’m done with this; it feels like a total waste of my time because the indoctrination has become just too overwhelming

As I’ve already pointed out, what you're doing isn't explaining anything—it's just pure fiction. You're simply presenting your own opinions as if they were established facts.

Yes, *who* is buying matters immensely because the scale of their purchasing power is everything.
China cannot replace Western consumption. They can't. Not with domestic demand, not with the BRICS bloc, not with India, and certainly not with Uganda.
For the third time, plenty of concrete data and figures regarding China's trade with various markets have been posted here. Your refusal to acknowledge those numbers doesn't make them incorrect.

urbanotter said:That’s your take on the situation, and I’ve laid out mine, so I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see who actually ends up being right. From where I’m sitting, it isn't just about how much stuff is being shipped off to Europe to meet demand; there is also this significant upward trend in wages for workers in China. As those folks start bringing home more money, they naturally begin purchasing more goods themselves, which creates this internal momentum that drives the entire economy forward. It’s a bit like when I noticed my own neighborhood starting to thrive—once people felt a little more financial security, the local shops suddenly saw a massive surge in business, and it feels like a similar ripple effect is happening on a much larger scale there.
Look, if we’re being honest, economic growth isn't just some abstract metric tied to one specific nation. It really comes down to the people actually pulling the trigger on purchases. Whether it's someone living in the States, a resident of Europe, a citizen in China, or even someone over in Brazil, the engine of the economy is driven by whoever decides to buy those goods from China. It's all interconnected through consumer demand.
When you really step back and look at what drives true economic growth, it isn't actually about who is sitting on the other side of the transaction. I remember watching my grandfather run his small hardware store back in Ohio; he used to say that the name on the receipt mattered far less than the fact that the inventory was moving out the door. It’s the same principle on a macro level. Real expansion comes from the sheer volume of goods being sold, regardless of whether the buyer is a local family or a massive foreign corporation. At the end of the day, velocity and demand are what move the needle.

I assume you might be able to back up that claim with some actual data? Perhaps some specific indicators or metrics to help us understand the full picture?

I’ve been spending some time digging through the latest reports regarding those persistent supply chain headaches, specifically looking into the shortages of semiconductors and various manufactured goods coming out of China and a few other overseas hubs rather than from domestic American factories. It’s a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, rabbit hole to fall down. I remember back when I was working in logistics a few years ago, we used to deal with these little hiccups all the time, but nothing quite compares to the sheer scale of what we're seeing now with the global chip shortage. It really makes you realize how much our entire economy relies on those specific manufacturing corridors halfway across the world.

It’s almost like watching a child play pretend with how they envision the economy working. They think they can just conjure up growth out of thin air, but the reality is much harsher—you can't build an economic powerhouse without sufficient reserves, and you certainly can't bypass the fundamental rules of finance. It’s a mistake I’ve seen people make time and again; they fail to realize that the growth rates China is aiming for are entirely dependent on the purchasing power and consumption levels of the West. Without that Western demand, the whole math simply doesn't add up.

Are you seriously trying to convince me that wages haven't been climbing in China? It feels like we’re ignoring the reality on the ground. Beyond that, if you look at the numbers, only about 600 to 700 million people have actually been pulled into this massive wave of progress, which leaves a staggering amount of untapped potential. They still have a massive reserve of labor ready to go and an endless supply of new customers waiting in the wings. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that they aren't just getting started.
You’ve gone quiet on us, though I suppose that isn't exactly out of character for some people.

I don't think that's quite right. Looking at the broader trends across the European Union, I expect things to hover around the 7% mark through the end of this year, though we should probably prepare ourselves for a correction sometime in 2023 that settles somewhere in the 2.5% to 3% range.

It’s pretty clear you haven't spent much time lately wandering the aisles of a local grocery store or pulling up to a gas station, because if you had, you'd see just how much the prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed.
Honestly, you can keep harping on about those 7% figures or trying to squeeze out an extra 2.5% to 3% if that makes you feel better, but I think we both know where this is actually heading.

America.

The latest economic data suggests we might finally be seeing the peak of this inflation wave, which feels like a massive relief after everything we've been through over the last couple of years. I remember sitting around my kitchen table last summer, looking at my grocery receipts and feeling this genuine sense of dread every time I walked into a supermarket; it wasn't just about the numbers on a screen, it was about that sinking feeling in your gut when you realize your paycheck doesn't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Now, looking at the recent indicators, there’s a growing consensus among analysts that the most aggressive price hikes might be behind us. Of course, while the headline figures look more manageable, I think it's important to remain cautious rather than overly celebratory. Even if the rate of increase is slowing down, prices aren't necessarily dropping—they are simply climbing at a less frantic pace. It’s a subtle but vital distinction. For many families across the country, the "stabilization" of inflation still means living with much higher costs than they were accustomed to just a few years ago. We are essentially adjusting to a "new normal" where the cost of living has shifted upward permanently. I've been following the Federal Reserve's moves quite closely lately, and it seems they are walking a very fine line. They want to cool things down enough to stop the bleeding without accidentally triggering a recession that could hurt employment. It reminds me of a situation I dealt with at my old job back in Chicago; we had to scale back our budget significantly to stay solvent, but we had to be incredibly careful not to cut so deep that we lost our best people. It’s a delicate balancing act, both for central bankers and for everyday Americans trying to navigate their own household budgets. While the news is cautiously optimistic, I believe we should keep a watchful eye on upcoming labor market reports before we declare total victory over inflation.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately looking over the recent economic data coming out of the European Union, and I can't help but feel a sense of growing concern regarding the inflation rates we're seeing across the continent. It feels like every time I sit down to check the latest reports, the numbers seem to tell a story of persistent instability that just won't settle down. I remember back when I was first starting my career in finance, there was a certain level of predictability to how these cycles moved, but what we are witnessing now feels different—more volatile and harder to pin down. It isn't just about the rising cost of groceries at the local supermarket or the sting of higher gas prices at the pump, though those are certainly felt by everyone; it's more about the systemic pressure being placed on the entire economic structure of the EU. You start to see how these price hikes ripple through various sectors, affecting everything from manufacturing to consumer confidence, creating this heavy, lingering uncertainty that hangs over the markets. It makes you wonder how much longer the current monetary policies can hold steady before we see a more significant shift in the landscape.

Inflation has hit a staggering new high, and honestly, it’s getting harder to ignore how much this is squeezing the average household budget. Looking at the latest data, we are seeing numbers that feel almost surreal compared to what we were used to just a few years ago. It feels like every time I walk into a local grocery store or pull up to a gas station, there's that momentary hesitation before checking the total on the screen—that small, sinking feeling in your gut because you know the prices have jumped again since last month. I remember talking to a friend of mine who works in retail over in Chicago, and she was telling me how they've had to practically re-label items almost weekly just to keep up with the shifting costs. It isn't just about the big-ticket items either; it's the cumulative effect of everything from eggs to electricity. When you see inflation hitting these record levels, it’s easy to get lost in the macroeconomics of it all, but for most people, it’s a very visceral, daily struggle to maintain the same standard of living. We are essentially paying more for less, and that's a difficult reality to swallow when you're trying to plan for the future or even just manage next week's expenses.

Please, I’m asking you, don't try to lecture me on economics. Based on everything you've said so far, it’s pretty clear you don't have much of a grasp on the subject, and most of what you write just feels like pure daydreaming rather than actual analysis.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about what actually keeps our economy standing tall on the global stage. It seems to me that the true strength of Western economies isn't found in a race to the bottom to see who can offer the lowest price tag. Instead, our real competitive edge is built on a foundation of deep knowledge, constant innovation, and the ability to create genuine, high-level added value. It reminds me of watching how certain tech giants in Silicon Valley operate; they don't just win by being cheap, they win because they own the intellectual property and the creative spark that others simply can't replicate.

I’m done with this; it feels like a total waste of my time because the indoctrination has become just too overwhelming

Taiwan produces the chips, not China. And those supply shortages were tied to COVID-19, not some imaginary friction between China and the West where China is supposedly withholding goods. Again, this is all just coming out of your imagination.

urbanotter said:That’s your take on the situation, and I’ve laid out mine, so I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see who actually ends up being right. From where I’m sitting, it isn't just about how much stuff is being shipped off to Europe to meet demand; there is also this significant upward trend in wages for workers in China. As those folks start bringing home more money, they naturally begin purchasing more goods themselves, which creates this internal momentum that drives the entire economy forward. It’s a bit like when I noticed my own neighborhood starting to thrive—once people felt a little more financial security, the local shops suddenly saw a massive surge in business, and it feels like a similar ripple effect is happening on a much larger scale there.
Look, if we’re being honest, economic growth isn't just some abstract metric tied to one specific nation. It really comes down to the people actually pulling the trigger on purchases. Whether it's someone living in the States, a resident of Europe, a citizen in China, or even someone over in Brazil, the engine of the economy is driven by whoever decides to buy those goods from China. It's all interconnected through consumer demand.
When you really step back and look at what drives true economic growth, it isn't actually about who is sitting on the other side of the transaction. I remember watching my grandfather run his small hardware store back in Ohio; he used to say that the name on the receipt mattered far less than the fact that the inventory was moving out the door. It’s the same principle on a macro level. Real expansion comes from the sheer volume of goods being sold, regardless of whether the buyer is a local family or a massive foreign corporation. At the end of the day, velocity and demand are what move the needle.

I assume you might be able to back up that claim with some actual data? Perhaps some specific indicators or metrics to help us understand the full picture?

I’ve been spending some time digging through the latest reports regarding those persistent supply chain headaches, specifically looking into the shortages of semiconductors and various manufactured goods coming out of China and a few other overseas hubs rather than from domestic American factories. It’s a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, rabbit hole to fall down. I remember back when I was working in logistics a few years ago, we used to deal with these little hiccups all the time, but nothing quite compares to the sheer scale of what we're seeing now with the global chip shortage. It really makes you realize how much our entire economy relies on those specific manufacturing corridors halfway across the world.

It’s almost like watching a child play pretend with how they envision the economy working. They think they can just conjure up growth out of thin air, but the reality is much harsher—you can't build an economic powerhouse without sufficient reserves, and you certainly can't bypass the fundamental rules of finance. It’s a mistake I’ve seen people make time and again; they fail to realize that the growth rates China is aiming for are entirely dependent on the purchasing power and consumption levels of the West. Without that Western demand, the whole math simply doesn't add up.

Are you seriously trying to convince me that wages haven't been climbing in China? It feels like we’re ignoring the reality on the ground. Beyond that, if you look at the numbers, only about 600 to 700 million people have actually been pulled into this massive wave of progress, which leaves a staggering amount of untapped potential. They still have a massive reserve of labor ready to go and an endless supply of new customers waiting in the wings. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that they aren't just getting started.
You’ve gone quiet on us, though I suppose that isn't exactly out of character for some people.

I don't think that's quite right. Looking at the broader trends across the European Union, I expect things to hover around the 7% mark through the end of this year, though we should probably prepare ourselves for a correction sometime in 2023 that settles somewhere in the 2.5% to 3% range.

It’s pretty clear you haven't spent much time lately wandering the aisles of a local grocery store or pulling up to a gas station, because if you had, you'd see just how much the prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed.
Honestly, you can keep harping on about those 7% figures or trying to squeeze out an extra 2.5% to 3% if that makes you feel better, but I think we both know where this is actually heading.

America.

The latest economic data suggests we might finally be seeing the peak of this inflation wave, which feels like a massive relief after everything we've been through over the last couple of years. I remember sitting around my kitchen table last summer, looking at my grocery receipts and feeling this genuine sense of dread every time I walked into a supermarket; it wasn't just about the numbers on a screen, it was about that sinking feeling in your gut when you realize your paycheck doesn't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Now, looking at the recent indicators, there’s a growing consensus among analysts that the most aggressive price hikes might be behind us. Of course, while the headline figures look more manageable, I think it's important to remain cautious rather than overly celebratory. Even if the rate of increase is slowing down, prices aren't necessarily dropping—they are simply climbing at a less frantic pace. It’s a subtle but vital distinction. For many families across the country, the "stabilization" of inflation still means living with much higher costs than they were accustomed to just a few years ago. We are essentially adjusting to a "new normal" where the cost of living has shifted upward permanently. I've been following the Federal Reserve's moves quite closely lately, and it seems they are walking a very fine line. They want to cool things down enough to stop the bleeding without accidentally triggering a recession that could hurt employment. It reminds me of a situation I dealt with at my old job back in Chicago; we had to scale back our budget significantly to stay solvent, but we had to be incredibly careful not to cut so deep that we lost our best people. It’s a delicate balancing act, both for central bankers and for everyday Americans trying to navigate their own household budgets. While the news is cautiously optimistic, I believe we should keep a watchful eye on upcoming labor market reports before we declare total victory over inflation.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately looking over the recent economic data coming out of the European Union, and I can't help but feel a sense of growing concern regarding the inflation rates we're seeing across the continent. It feels like every time I sit down to check the latest reports, the numbers seem to tell a story of persistent instability that just won't settle down. I remember back when I was first starting my career in finance, there was a certain level of predictability to how these cycles moved, but what we are witnessing now feels different—more volatile and harder to pin down. It isn't just about the rising cost of groceries at the local supermarket or the sting of higher gas prices at the pump, though those are certainly felt by everyone; it's more about the systemic pressure being placed on the entire economic structure of the EU. You start to see how these price hikes ripple through various sectors, affecting everything from manufacturing to consumer confidence, creating this heavy, lingering uncertainty that hangs over the markets. It makes you wonder how much longer the current monetary policies can hold steady before we see a more significant shift in the landscape.

Inflation has hit a staggering new high, and honestly, it’s getting harder to ignore how much this is squeezing the average household budget. Looking at the latest data, we are seeing numbers that feel almost surreal compared to what we were used to just a few years ago. It feels like every time I walk into a local grocery store or pull up to a gas station, there's that momentary hesitation before checking the total on the screen—that small, sinking feeling in your gut because you know the prices have jumped again since last month. I remember talking to a friend of mine who works in retail over in Chicago, and she was telling me how they've had to practically re-label items almost weekly just to keep up with the shifting costs. It isn't just about the big-ticket items either; it's the cumulative effect of everything from eggs to electricity. When you see inflation hitting these record levels, it’s easy to get lost in the macroeconomics of it all, but for most people, it’s a very visceral, daily struggle to maintain the same standard of living. We are essentially paying more for less, and that's a difficult reality to swallow when you're trying to plan for the future or even just manage next week's expenses.

Please, I’m asking you, don't try to lecture me on economics. Based on everything you've said so far, it’s pretty clear you don't have much of a grasp on the subject, and most of what you write just feels like pure daydreaming rather than actual analysis.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about what actually keeps our economy standing tall on the global stage. It seems to me that the true strength of Western economies isn't found in a race to the bottom to see who can offer the lowest price tag. Instead, our real competitive edge is built on a foundation of deep knowledge, constant innovation, and the ability to create genuine, high-level added value. It reminds me of watching how certain tech giants in Silicon Valley operate; they don't just win by being cheap, they win because they own the intellectual property and the creative spark that others simply can't replicate.

I’m done with this; it feels like a total waste of my time because the indoctrination has become just too overwhelming

And for the fourth time, China's growth is DIRECTLY linked to Western consumption. Absolutely nothing and no one can replace that volume of consumption. Period.

urbanotter said:That’s your take on the situation, and I’ve laid out mine, so I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see who actually ends up being right. From where I’m sitting, it isn't just about how much stuff is being shipped off to Europe to meet demand; there is also this significant upward trend in wages for workers in China. As those folks start bringing home more money, they naturally begin purchasing more goods themselves, which creates this internal momentum that drives the entire economy forward. It’s a bit like when I noticed my own neighborhood starting to thrive—once people felt a little more financial security, the local shops suddenly saw a massive surge in business, and it feels like a similar ripple effect is happening on a much larger scale there.
Look, if we’re being honest, economic growth isn't just some abstract metric tied to one specific nation. It really comes down to the people actually pulling the trigger on purchases. Whether it's someone living in the States, a resident of Europe, a citizen in China, or even someone over in Brazil, the engine of the economy is driven by whoever decides to buy those goods from China. It's all interconnected through consumer demand.
When you really step back and look at what drives true economic growth, it isn't actually about who is sitting on the other side of the transaction. I remember watching my grandfather run his small hardware store back in Ohio; he used to say that the name on the receipt mattered far less than the fact that the inventory was moving out the door. It’s the same principle on a macro level. Real expansion comes from the sheer volume of goods being sold, regardless of whether the buyer is a local family or a massive foreign corporation. At the end of the day, velocity and demand are what move the needle.

I assume you might be able to back up that claim with some actual data? Perhaps some specific indicators or metrics to help us understand the full picture?

I’ve been spending some time digging through the latest reports regarding those persistent supply chain headaches, specifically looking into the shortages of semiconductors and various manufactured goods coming out of China and a few other overseas hubs rather than from domestic American factories. It’s a fascinating, if somewhat frustrating, rabbit hole to fall down. I remember back when I was working in logistics a few years ago, we used to deal with these little hiccups all the time, but nothing quite compares to the sheer scale of what we're seeing now with the global chip shortage. It really makes you realize how much our entire economy relies on those specific manufacturing corridors halfway across the world.

It’s almost like watching a child play pretend with how they envision the economy working. They think they can just conjure up growth out of thin air, but the reality is much harsher—you can't build an economic powerhouse without sufficient reserves, and you certainly can't bypass the fundamental rules of finance. It’s a mistake I’ve seen people make time and again; they fail to realize that the growth rates China is aiming for are entirely dependent on the purchasing power and consumption levels of the West. Without that Western demand, the whole math simply doesn't add up.

Are you seriously trying to convince me that wages haven't been climbing in China? It feels like we’re ignoring the reality on the ground. Beyond that, if you look at the numbers, only about 600 to 700 million people have actually been pulled into this massive wave of progress, which leaves a staggering amount of untapped potential. They still have a massive reserve of labor ready to go and an endless supply of new customers waiting in the wings. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that they aren't just getting started.
You’ve gone quiet on us, though I suppose that isn't exactly out of character for some people.

I don't think that's quite right. Looking at the broader trends across the European Union, I expect things to hover around the 7% mark through the end of this year, though we should probably prepare ourselves for a correction sometime in 2023 that settles somewhere in the 2.5% to 3% range.

It’s pretty clear you haven't spent much time lately wandering the aisles of a local grocery store or pulling up to a gas station, because if you had, you'd see just how much the prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed.
Honestly, you can keep harping on about those 7% figures or trying to squeeze out an extra 2.5% to 3% if that makes you feel better, but I think we both know where this is actually heading.

America.

The latest economic data suggests we might finally be seeing the peak of this inflation wave, which feels like a massive relief after everything we've been through over the last couple of years. I remember sitting around my kitchen table last summer, looking at my grocery receipts and feeling this genuine sense of dread every time I walked into a supermarket; it wasn't just about the numbers on a screen, it was about that sinking feeling in your gut when you realize your paycheck doesn't stretch nearly as far as it used to. Now, looking at the recent indicators, there’s a growing consensus among analysts that the most aggressive price hikes might be behind us. Of course, while the headline figures look more manageable, I think it's important to remain cautious rather than overly celebratory. Even if the rate of increase is slowing down, prices aren't necessarily dropping—they are simply climbing at a less frantic pace. It’s a subtle but vital distinction. For many families across the country, the "stabilization" of inflation still means living with much higher costs than they were accustomed to just a few years ago. We are essentially adjusting to a "new normal" where the cost of living has shifted upward permanently. I've been following the Federal Reserve's moves quite closely lately, and it seems they are walking a very fine line. They want to cool things down enough to stop the bleeding without accidentally triggering a recession that could hurt employment. It reminds me of a situation I dealt with at my old job back in Chicago; we had to scale back our budget significantly to stay solvent, but we had to be incredibly careful not to cut so deep that we lost our best people. It’s a delicate balancing act, both for central bankers and for everyday Americans trying to navigate their own household budgets. While the news is cautiously optimistic, I believe we should keep a watchful eye on upcoming labor market reports before we declare total victory over inflation.

I’ve been spending quite a bit of time lately looking over the recent economic data coming out of the European Union, and I can't help but feel a sense of growing concern regarding the inflation rates we're seeing across the continent. It feels like every time I sit down to check the latest reports, the numbers seem to tell a story of persistent instability that just won't settle down. I remember back when I was first starting my career in finance, there was a certain level of predictability to how these cycles moved, but what we are witnessing now feels different—more volatile and harder to pin down. It isn't just about the rising cost of groceries at the local supermarket or the sting of higher gas prices at the pump, though those are certainly felt by everyone; it's more about the systemic pressure being placed on the entire economic structure of the EU. You start to see how these price hikes ripple through various sectors, affecting everything from manufacturing to consumer confidence, creating this heavy, lingering uncertainty that hangs over the markets. It makes you wonder how much longer the current monetary policies can hold steady before we see a more significant shift in the landscape.

Inflation has hit a staggering new high, and honestly, it’s getting harder to ignore how much this is squeezing the average household budget. Looking at the latest data, we are seeing numbers that feel almost surreal compared to what we were used to just a few years ago. It feels like every time I walk into a local grocery store or pull up to a gas station, there's that momentary hesitation before checking the total on the screen—that small, sinking feeling in your gut because you know the prices have jumped again since last month. I remember talking to a friend of mine who works in retail over in Chicago, and she was telling me how they've had to practically re-label items almost weekly just to keep up with the shifting costs. It isn't just about the big-ticket items either; it's the cumulative effect of everything from eggs to electricity. When you see inflation hitting these record levels, it’s easy to get lost in the macroeconomics of it all, but for most people, it’s a very visceral, daily struggle to maintain the same standard of living. We are essentially paying more for less, and that's a difficult reality to swallow when you're trying to plan for the future or even just manage next week's expenses.

Please, I’m asking you, don't try to lecture me on economics. Based on everything you've said so far, it’s pretty clear you don't have much of a grasp on the subject, and most of what you write just feels like pure daydreaming rather than actual analysis.
I’ve been thinking quite a bit lately about what actually keeps our economy standing tall on the global stage. It seems to me that the true strength of Western economies isn't found in a race to the bottom to see who can offer the lowest price tag. Instead, our real competitive edge is built on a foundation of deep knowledge, constant innovation, and the ability to create genuine, high-level added value. It reminds me of watching how certain tech giants in Silicon Valley operate; they don't just win by being cheap, they win because they own the intellectual property and the creative spark that others simply can't replicate.

I’m done with this; it feels like a total waste of my time because the indoctrination has become just too overwhelming

Just don't. Please, just stop. There's no need to keep embarrassing yourself here.

urbanotter said:The topic isn't just about China and its economy, but rather how interconnected the world is—how the growth of individual economies is tied directly to sanctions against Russia.
The European Union is China's largest trading partner, yet the EU is also feeling the sting from a lack of various essential products coming out of China.
Furthermore, China has a massive reserve of growth potential within its huge population; if you raise wages by even a small percentage, that growth keeps moving forward.

If a projected growth rate of 2.7% for 2022 and 2.3% for 2023 (on an EU level) constitutes a "precipitous drop in standards" to you, then fine, I guess things are crashing.

That’s true nominally, but when you subtract inflation—which is rising faster because of the shortage of Russian oil and other raw materials, hitting double digits—the picture changes.
Some people just don't seem to grasp that a modern economy is fundamentally built on energy usage, and sanctions have significantly hampered availability while driving energy costs through the roof.
You can't avoid incorporating those costs into the price of goods and eventually passing them onto the consumer.
I don't want to turn this into an economics lecture, but if Western nations end up paying much more for energy than Eastern nations do,
there's simply no way they can maintain their current level of competitiveness. Meanwhile, the easy access to cheaper Russian energy and resources will only serve to boost the competitive edge of Eastern economies.

That has more to do with the overall cultural achievements of a society rather than just not having enough money for gas.

I can agree with that.
The Danes use bicycles quite a bit, yet they certainly have the money to buy fuel.
Unfortunately, we aren't Danes, and what might be a choice there could easily become the daily reality for many of our citizens—a sight we'll likely see on our own streets soon enough.
But anyway, moving on...
let's go watch Milić; he's old school, but always interesting, even his reruns.

The idea that Temu’s massive growth—occurring alongside what some call the West's decline—is somehow stealing our tech edge is complete nonsense. I was just laying out why that theory is fundamentally flawed and nothing more than a product of your own imagination.

urbanotter said:The topic isn't just about China and its economy, but rather how interconnected the world is—how the growth of individual economies is tied directly to sanctions against Russia.
The European Union is China's largest trading partner, yet the EU is also feeling the sting from a lack of various essential products coming out of China.
Furthermore, China has a massive reserve of growth potential within its huge population; if you raise wages by even a small percentage, that growth keeps moving forward.

If a projected growth rate of 2.7% for 2022 and 2.3% for 2023 (on an EU level) constitutes a "precipitous drop in standards" to you, then fine, I guess things are crashing.

That’s true nominally, but when you subtract inflation—which is rising faster because of the shortage of Russian oil and other raw materials, hitting double digits—the picture changes.
Some people just don't seem to grasp that a modern economy is fundamentally built on energy usage, and sanctions have significantly hampered availability while driving energy costs through the roof.
You can't avoid incorporating those costs into the price of goods and eventually passing them onto the consumer.
I don't want to turn this into an economics lecture, but if Western nations end up paying much more for energy than Eastern nations do,
there's simply no way they can maintain their current level of competitiveness. Meanwhile, the easy access to cheaper Russian energy and resources will only serve to boost the competitive edge of Eastern economies.

That has more to do with the overall cultural achievements of a society rather than just not having enough money for gas.

I can agree with that.
The Danes use bicycles quite a bit, yet they certainly have the money to buy fuel.
Unfortunately, we aren't Danes, and what might be a choice there could easily become the daily reality for many of our citizens—a sight we'll likely see on our own streets soon enough.
But anyway, moving on...
let's go watch Milić; he's old school, but always interesting, even his reruns.

I assume you can back up that claim above with some actual data or indicators?

urbanotter said:The topic isn't just about China and its economy, but rather how interconnected the world is—how the growth of individual economies is tied directly to sanctions against Russia.
The European Union is China's largest trading partner, yet the EU is also feeling the sting from a lack of various essential products coming out of China.
Furthermore, China has a massive reserve of growth potential within its huge population; if you raise wages by even a small percentage, that growth keeps moving forward.

If a projected growth rate of 2.7% for 2022 and 2.3% for 2023 (on an EU level) constitutes a "precipitous drop in standards" to you, then fine, I guess things are crashing.

That’s true nominally, but when you subtract inflation—which is rising faster because of the shortage of Russian oil and other raw materials, hitting double digits—the picture changes.
Some people just don't seem to grasp that a modern economy is fundamentally built on energy usage, and sanctions have significantly hampered availability while driving energy costs through the roof.
You can't avoid incorporating those costs into the price of goods and eventually passing them onto the consumer.
I don't want to turn this into an economics lecture, but if Western nations end up paying much more for energy than Eastern nations do,
there's simply no way they can maintain their current level of competitiveness. Meanwhile, the easy access to cheaper Russian energy and resources will only serve to boost the competitive edge of Eastern economies.

That has more to do with the overall cultural achievements of a society rather than just not having enough money for gas.

I can agree with that.
The Danes use bicycles quite a bit, yet they certainly have the money to buy fuel.
Unfortunately, we aren't Danes, and what might be a choice there could easily become the daily reality for many of our citizens—a sight we'll likely see on our own streets soon enough.
But anyway, moving on...
let's go watch Milić; he's old school, but always interesting, even his reruns.

It’s basically just "How little Peter imagines the economy works." No, there aren't any reserves left, and you can't just pull a stunt like that. Like I’ve said a dozen times already, the growth rates China needs to maintain depend entirely on Western consumer spending.

urbanotter said:The topic isn't just about China and its economy, but rather how interconnected the world is—how the growth of individual economies is tied directly to sanctions against Russia.
The European Union is China's largest trading partner, yet the EU is also feeling the sting from a lack of various essential products coming out of China.
Furthermore, China has a massive reserve of growth potential within its huge population; if you raise wages by even a small percentage, that growth keeps moving forward.

If a projected growth rate of 2.7% for 2022 and 2.3% for 2023 (on an EU level) constitutes a "precipitous drop in standards" to you, then fine, I guess things are crashing.

That’s true nominally, but when you subtract inflation—which is rising faster because of the shortage of Russian oil and other raw materials, hitting double digits—the picture changes.
Some people just don't seem to grasp that a modern economy is fundamentally built on energy usage, and sanctions have significantly hampered availability while driving energy costs through the roof.
You can't avoid incorporating those costs into the price of goods and eventually passing them onto the consumer.
I don't want to turn this into an economics lecture, but if Western nations end up paying much more for energy than Eastern nations do,
there's simply no way they can maintain their current level of competitiveness. Meanwhile, the easy access to cheaper Russian energy and resources will only serve to boost the competitive edge of Eastern economies.

That has more to do with the overall cultural achievements of a society rather than just not having enough money for gas.

I can agree with that.
The Danes use bicycles quite a bit, yet they certainly have the money to buy fuel.
Unfortunately, we aren't Danes, and what might be a choice there could easily become the daily reality for many of our citizens—a sight we'll likely see on our own streets soon enough.
But anyway, moving on...
let's go watch Milić; he's old school, but always interesting, even his reruns.

Not really. At the European Union level, we’re looking at it holding steady around 7% through the end of the year, though I expect a correction in 2023 that brings it down to somewhere in the 2.5% to 3% range.

urbanotter said:The topic isn't just about China and its economy, but rather how interconnected the world is—how the growth of individual economies is tied directly to sanctions against Russia.
The European Union is China's largest trading partner, yet the EU is also feeling the sting from a lack of various essential products coming out of China.
Furthermore, China has a massive reserve of growth potential within its huge population; if you raise wages by even a small percentage, that growth keeps moving forward.

If a projected growth rate of 2.7% for 2022 and 2.3% for 2023 (on an EU level) constitutes a "precipitous drop in standards" to you, then fine, I guess things are crashing.

That’s true nominally, but when you subtract inflation—which is rising faster because of the shortage of Russian oil and other raw materials, hitting double digits—the picture changes.
Some people just don't seem to grasp that a modern economy is fundamentally built on energy usage, and sanctions have significantly hampered availability while driving energy costs through the roof.
You can't avoid incorporating those costs into the price of goods and eventually passing them onto the consumer.
I don't want to turn this into an economics lecture, but if Western nations end up paying much more for energy than Eastern nations do,
there's simply no way they can maintain their current level of competitiveness. Meanwhile, the easy access to cheaper Russian energy and resources will only serve to boost the competitive edge of Eastern economies.

That has more to do with the overall cultural achievements of a society rather than just not having enough money for gas.

I can agree with that.
The Danes use bicycles quite a bit, yet they certainly have the money to buy fuel.
Unfortunately, we aren't Danes, and what might be a choice there could easily become the daily reality for many of our citizens—a sight we'll likely see on our own streets soon enough.
But anyway, moving on...
let's go watch Milić; he's old school, but always interesting, even his reruns.

Please, spare us the economics lectures, because based on everything you've said so far, it's pretty clear you don't have a clue what you're talking about, and most of your posts are just pure fantasy.
Western competitiveness is built on intellectual property, innovation, and high-value creation, not on who can offer the lowest price tag.

urbanotter said:Well, I am indeed one of those people who believes that China and other emerging economies are growing faster than the stagnant ones.
So, it isn't just a hunch; I am convinced of it, much like many others who have a decent grasp of where the world is heading.

I don't want to sound too argumentative, but I can see the Western standard of living plummeting, and how that hits everyone, we'll see pretty soon.
I just know that while you can manage without potatoes, it's a lot harder to survive without wheat, natural gas, and fertilizer.

And when it comes to fuel and driving around in big SUVs, you might find yourself needing to save money and ride a bicycle instead.
If someone in Denmark can bike their kids to school, you can certainly do the same.

We're all going to have to tighten our belts, but some people have already learned how to live simply, so it won't be as hard for them as it will be for others.

So, once fuel becomes prohibitically expensive, just grab the family and start pedaling.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/735445...?s=single_unit

Maybe I'll give you a thumbs up and join you.

The Chinese economy only grows because of its trade with the West. At least on this specific thread, that fact has been backed up by hard numbers more times than I can count.
When the standard of living in the West drops, China's growth inevitably slows down right along with it, since these two economies are essentially two sides of the same coin.

urbanotter said:Well, I am indeed one of those people who believes that China and other emerging economies are growing faster than the stagnant ones.
So, it isn't just a hunch; I am convinced of it, much like many others who have a decent grasp of where the world is heading.

I don't want to sound too argumentative, but I can see the Western standard of living plummeting, and how that hits everyone, we'll see pretty soon.
I just know that while you can manage without potatoes, it's a lot harder to survive without wheat, natural gas, and fertilizer.

And when it comes to fuel and driving around in big SUVs, you might find yourself needing to save money and ride a bicycle instead.
If someone in Denmark can bike their kids to school, you can certainly do the same.

We're all going to have to tighten our belts, but some people have already learned how to live simply, so it won't be as hard for them as it will be for others.

So, once fuel becomes prohibitically expensive, just grab the family and start pedaling.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/735445...?s=single_unit

Maybe I'll give you a thumbs up and join you.

If you consider projected growth rates of 2.7% for 2022 and 2.3% for 2023 (at the European Union level) to be a "cratering" of standards, then fine, sure, everything is falling apart.

urbanotter said:Well, I am indeed one of those people who believes that China and other emerging economies are growing faster than the stagnant ones.
So, it isn't just a hunch; I am convinced of it, much like many others who have a decent grasp of where the world is heading.

I don't want to sound too argumentative, but I can see the Western standard of living plummeting, and how that hits everyone, we'll see pretty soon.
I just know that while you can manage without potatoes, it's a lot harder to survive without wheat, natural gas, and fertilizer.

And when it comes to fuel and driving around in big SUVs, you might find yourself needing to save money and ride a bicycle instead.
If someone in Denmark can bike their kids to school, you can certainly do the same.

We're all going to have to tighten our belts, but some people have already learned how to live simply, so it won't be as hard for them as it will be for others.

So, once fuel becomes prohibitically expensive, just grab the family and start pedaling.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/735445...?s=single_unit

Maybe I'll give you a thumbs up and join you.

That has everything to do with the cultural achievements of a society and nothing to do with whether or not people can afford gas.

darkdriver said:Back in 2011, when they still had 17 nuclear plants running, Germany was getting less than 25% of its power from them—but by 2021, with only 6 left standing, that number dropped down to just 13.3%.
Right now, they’ve only got three active plants. Three others were shut down last year, eight have been permanently decommissioned, and the rest are stuck in various stages of being torn down—meaning the fuel is gone, the reactor parts are out, and all that gear is basically being dismantled.
I mean, I honestly don't get how you're supposed to just flip the switch on nuclear plants in a matter of months—which, let's be real, would actually take years and billions upon billions of Euros—especially when some are already fully decommissioned and others are halfway through being scrapped. And where are they even going to find the time to buy hundreds of tons of fuel when they used to need thousands? It just doesn't add up.

Basically, they tripped and then decided to kill themselves.

That’s what you get with the Green party; they really screwed themselves over.

brightheron64 said:It’s finally happening, I suppose...

The Russian version of McDonald's has already run out of French fries

Though the Department claims it's all nonsense and they have plenty of potatoes left.

The more slander and lies they peddle, the more we find ourselves rooting for Putin.

Jerry Clark72 said:Tucker is pro-Russia, obviously. 😁

No. Tucker is just an idiot.

William Anderson5 said:Look, buddy, take a car and drive over to Germany. There are hundreds of companies in Bavaria that exist solely to serve BMW. You talk about the damn Chinese... if you head out into the countryside, you'll find at least one small shop producing some scrap metal for the auto industry. And they're all using the same German machinery—Bosch equipment, or heaven knows what else. This isn't about China; China has nothing to do with the core of the auto industry.
Then there's the other issue: where are these Chinese cars actually being serviced? Are you even aware that a car requires maintenance? Where are the supply chains for parts, or the network of authorized mechanics?
This transition is going to take years, if it ever actually happens...

It's not necessary; we can just do it in San Diego.

swiftjackal11 said:What if the West learns its lesson from what happened with Russia and starts pulling its industry out of China?

They finally learned their lesson, though it wasn't because of anything involving Russia; it was all thanks to those Chinese container games they played during the pandemic.

urbanotter said:The reality is that about half the components in those "sophisticated" Western cars are manufactured in China, and the relationship between Russia and China is actually improving.
People are already noticing that more and more Chinese vehicles are appearing on American highways, and honestly, they aren't any worse than the Western brands. Their only real "downside" is that they're cheaper.

And yet, you literally said the exact opposite just six posts ago...

goldenowl73 said:So, get this—the Chinese phone giant Honor just pulled the plug on their sales over in Russia.

#Chinese smartphone manufacturer #Honor, which used to be part of #Huawei, has officially halted all device shipments to the #Russian market, according to #Russian media outlets. https://t.co/uUEJxDMRui

Exactly. Who actually gives a damn about domestic industrial manufacturing when you're sitting on a massive surplus like Russia does?
Just buy everything you need from someone else!
Oh wait...

darkdriver said:Basically, all their exits are completely sealed off. 🤣
Out of 193 doors (all those UN members), about 40 of them have basically slammed the windows and doors shut on them.
Some weird math happening there, where apparently 40 is somehow more than 153... I guess? 😁

Edit

Just saw that The New York Times—aka Yahoo—is reporting that Ukrainians are pulling back from Donetsk and that the EU is bracing for a brutal winter.
All I can say is... honestly, screw their Putinophile nonsense.
Sanction glory!

Is this part of that same brilliant analysis claiming India has more purchasing power than the USA, or whatever that was?

Listen, kid, I was just trying to provide some colorful CONTEXT regarding the sufficiency of what my colleague so triumphantly claimed—that things are actually better in Russia now than they were before the sanctions hit.

You don't have to take every single word literally, though I suspect that might be asking a bit much for some people.

But fine, if you're asking, I'd love an explanation of EXACTLY what Russia can substitute from those 153 countries that these 40 have specifically restricted.

brightheron64 said:Well, companies like Boeing and General Electric actually started pivoting to handle these kinds of shifts way back in 2014.
Perhaps they just had a better sense of what was coming down the pike... 😁

They even gave warnings to places like Germany about the sheer stupidity of putting all their eggs in one basket.

urbanotter said:Of course it isn't the same. I mean, if we're being honest, a democratic nation has dropped two nuclear bombs and killed roughly 120,000 to 150,000 people.

A dictatorial state hasn't dropped a single one yet.

Let's move past the demagoguery and talk about actual sanctions.

They don't need to compete with the trivial consumer goods that China churns out for the entire world. They just need to focus on milestones like launching the first satellite, the first man, the first dog, or the first woman into space. They can build a space station where they host friends from all over the globe—with the last visitor paying in rubles.
They produce heavy-duty trucks capable of hauling 50 to 100 tons, which is about the weight of their missile systems, and they build off-road vehicles that can tackle terrain no Western vehicle could ever dream of navigating.

They are self-sufficient in all their vital industries, and they claim they don't need luxury items like Vuitton handbags or designer collars.

Never before have they seen such a massive trade surplus—around $100 billion—and they remain among the least indebted nations globally. If the "democrats" hadn't seized $300 billion of their foreign exchange reserves through sanctions, they wouldn't even know what a deficit feels like.
You really have to hand it to them; Western sanctions have been a total "bullseye," hitting them right in both knees.

These are the facts, even if demagoguery tries its best to hide them.☕

Just imagine you're sitting there with millions of dollars stuffed into every drawer and closet in your house, but there’s one tiny catch—someone welded your doors and windows shut and you can't actually get out.

Does the reality of how useless a trade surplus figure becomes when you strip away the context seem a bit clearer now?

Nope. It's gone.

Jack Kelly5 said:I mean, if you're one of those sovereignty types, you probably ought to realize that the owner of that gas is actually ExxonMobil, so it isn't exactly "ours," I guess.
😬

And now we're just going to buy it all back ourselves, because clearly we haven't done enough of that already...