You'd have to wonder why Donald Trump decided to impose a tariff on penguins. He's undeniably stupid, or he believes that penguins are exporting too much ice or even excrement to America. It's not surprising then that 5 million Americans, in 200 cities across the U.S. marched in protest against the Mad Kings economic policy - it's not what they voted for.

9 April 2025

ALAN HAYES

 

TRUMP, in his infinite wisdom (and that word is used very loosely), in announcing his reciprocal tariffs on the world, called it “our declaration of economic independence”. Standing in the Rose Garden at the White House, Trump said his tariff plan represented one of the most important moments in American history and would bring about a “golden age” for the country.

 

In his rambling address, which at times was almost too difficult to decipher what the man wearing the ‘big nappy’ – or as the Americans call it, diaper – was talking about (although the verbal diarrhoea was running thick and fast), said he was putting a 25% tariff on all foreign-made cars, effective from midnight U.S. time, and that he was setting a baseline tariff of 10% on all countries. He also flagged a tariff on Australian beef, saying, “They don’t want it because they don’t want it to affect their farmers and you know, I don’t blame them, but we’re doing the same thing right now starting at midnight tonight, I would say.”

 

But Trump's lunacy continues apace. Like any bully, he doesn't play well with the other kids in the playground - wanting retribution if challenged for widening the sandpit. And if you thought the Mad King's unhinged reign of terror of the world economy couldn't get any worse, you'd be wrong - it's become even more chaotic.

 

Taking a break from his golf tournament at Doral and claiming “everything's going great”, he threaten China with additional tariffs because they weren't play nice and by his rules. The Mad King upped the anti and slapped 50% on top of the 54% he's already imposed on Beijing. He made the threat because China said it was putting a retaliatory 34% tariff on the US earlier this week.

 

But being the pathetic, narcissistic, pissant that he is, the man who is hellbent on imploding the global economy, was true  to form - ranting on his Truth Social network last Monday saying: “If China does not withdraw its 34% increase above their already long-term trading abuses ... the United States will impose ADDITIONAL Tariffs on China of 50%, effective April 9th. Additionally, all talks with China concerning their requested meetings with us will be terminated!” This added a nice bit of calmness to the chaos, which had already been accelerated last Monday when the markets stopped their dramatic decline to suddenly rally following a report claiming Trump was considering a 90-day pause on tariffs. As expected, White House officials quickly denied the report, sending the market back in the red - reconfirming the Mad Kings reign of insanity.

 

Ahead of Trump's various announcements and rantings, the major party leaders in Australia last week attempted to up their rhetoric towards the U.S. president and his plans for the global economy.

 

Prime minister Anthony Albanese, prior to Trump’s announcement last week said, “We won’t compromise on our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, on our biosecurity or our Media Bargaining Code,” after the United States trade representative listed the areas in a report on foreign trade barriers.

 

And, with no surprise, Peter Dutton, prior to the Mad King’s initial announcement, and since then, continues to ‘walk out’ the impossible line: echoing Trump's culture wars and also saying he would stand up to the US president. A bold statement, considering he runs away and hides from being interviewed by ABC reporter Laura Tingle.

 

“My job is to stand up for Australians. If I needed to have a fight with Donald Trump or any other world leader to advance our nation’s interests, I’d do it in a heartbeat,” Dutton said.

 

The irony of Dutton’s comments is, of course – and as previously reported by the Grapevine – that Trump wouldn’t recognise Dutton in a line-up.

 

Yet, despite Dutton at times giving the appearance that he has finally sensed the mood of the country, he still keeps trying to sound like Trump and offer policies like Trump. And, having worked so hard to previously align himself with the Mad King, Dutton may find himself unable to escape the long shadow Trump is now casting over this campaign.

 

Meanwhile, in a vain attempt to counter Dutton's flip-flopping on policies, shadow treasurer Angus Taylor reckons the Coalition is standing ready to guide the economy through Trump's chaos, saying they have a better track record with managing the economy. A rather wistful claim! It was Dutton, under the Morrison government who was responsible for the cost of living crisis and the stripping of Medicare, and his cohort, Angus Taylor, couldn't even reduce energy prices as he promised he would.

 

Without any policies of substance, coupled with an indecisive direction, it's little wonder that the Coalition has now being seen as securing a second term for the Albanese government.

 

Back to Trump’s tariff announcement

 

At a ceremony at the White House, Trump called the tariff announcement “our declaration of economic independence.” He added, “This is liberation day.”

 

Trump said the U.S. would calculate a tariff rate for countries based on the levies they impose and “other forms of cheating.” These tariff rates are quite high. China will face a staggering 34 percent tariff, while the E.U. will get 20 percent. Japan will be 24 percent and India 26 percent.

 

Trump has argued that tariffs will rebalance a global economy after years of countries “ripping off” the U.S. Governments across the world have been preparing to hit back, increasing the potential for a destabilising trade war.

 

And while leading investment banker JP Morgan Chase and Barclay Bank in the UK predicts Trump’s actions would lead to a global recession by the end of the year, if not sooner. Trump’s advisers disagree on the goal of the sweeping tariffs – it is to raise revenue or lower trade barriers. But the rest of the world doesn’t it see it that way - Canadian and Chinese governments have already retaliated against Trump’s previous tariffs with taxes of their own, and E.U. officials are weighing potentially targeting American tech and financial giants, a response that some refer to as a “bazooka.”

 

But the fact remains: how did Trump calculate his tariffs - fiscal fraud and sleight of hand?

 

Trump and his administration didn’t actually calculate tariff rates and non-tariff barriers, as they say they did. Instead, for every country, they just took the U.S. trade deficit with that country and divided it by the country's exports to America. For example, the U.S. has a $17.9 billion trade deficit with Indonesia. Its exports to the U.S. are $28 billion. So, the Trumpian buffoons calculations were: $17.9/$28 = 64%, which Trump claims is the tariff rate Indonesia charges the U.S.

 

It’s important to also understand that the tariff rates that foreign countries are supposedly charging the U.S. are just made-up numbers. What extraordinary nonsense – no prizes for maths in the Mad King’s camp.

 

But as Canadian comedian Betty Bowers said: Donald Trump is so stupid he thinks drug dealers will pay tariffs on the illegal drugs they bring into the country. Right after they declare all profits on their income tax returns.

 

Her comments were in response to Trump’s drivel to penalise Canada for the sale, into the U.S., of large amounts of Fentanyl, by tariffing the value of this deadly drug in order to make it far more expensive to distribute and buy.

 

So, while the world hangs on baited breath as to whether Antarctic penguins will survive the financial hardship imposed upon them, there was one country who was exempted from tariffs. It starts with an “R” and ends with “ussia”. No surprises there! After all, the puppet master would be far from pleased if he had been targeted!

 

What about Australia?

 

When China was flexing its muscles and imposing tariffs on Australia, we stood our ground and didn’t give into XI. So, why should we cower to the Mad King’s version and be afraid to stand up to the bully?

 

Trump has deserted America’s allies and made it clear that the U.S. will no longer provide military aid – unless, of course, he can steal that nation’s mineral wealth or annex them into U.S. sovereignty. Surrendering our sovereignty on defence, or handing over our mineral wealth on the cheap, is not an option.

 

Trump has now crystallised his intentions on both security and economics in relation to Australia. He sees our country as nothing more than a host for U.S. military bases and a gigantic mining pit.

 

The trade agreement with the U.S. — which was linked by proponents to our American alliance and deepening commitment to the U.S. military machine —has proven not to be an impediment to Trump slapping tariffs on Australia and knifing Australia in the back.

 

For Australians, Trump’s tariffs are expected to increase import costs, drive inflation, create economic uncertainty for both businesses and consumers and result in job losses. Economists warn of slow economic growth, burdening households with higher prices, and destabilising export-dependent industries across Australia.

 

Beyond the direct impact, Trump’s global declaration of a trade war is the greatest threat in nearly a century of global economic growth and the free trade that Australia is so dependent on — and all at a time when Australia has become more reliant on the U.S. for our defence and security.

 

‘Liberation Day’ has left countless Australians concerned and considering whether it’s time for Australia to rethink the nation's partnership with the US, including exiting agreements like AUKUS.

 

If the Americans decide not to honour the ANZUS agreement, or decide to shaft us on it, or limit our capacity to use F-35s or other defence equipment, there’s nothing we can do. And Trump has demonstrated a willingness to abrogate any agreement that it suits him to do so.

 

Green’s Senator Dorinda Cox said, “Trump’s goal is to destabilise the global economy, right now we should be turning to our regional partners to secure trade opportunities and ensure peace. Our foreign and defence policies must be truly independent - this is where Australia can be strong and lead the way.”

 

As the Grapevine has previously reported, Australia holds the winning hand to put the bully in his place – Pine Gap, the ears and the eyes of the U.S. military and the CIA. It’s time to change the Five Eyes to the Four Eyes and give the Americans their marching orders – boot them out of Pine Gap.

 

Greens Senator for NSW and Defence and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge said, "The Greens know that closing Pine Gap and all other US military bases in Australia is necessary for our security and to recover our independence.

 

"Our policy is for a defence force that credibly defends Australia and not one that is tied to the US military and designed to threaten our neighbours.

 

"Giving up control of our country to a foreign power has always been a backward decision. The United States sees Australia as a quarry and a military base, they do not care if we are a democracy or if we share values.

 

"The Trump administration is giving Australia more reasons than ever to exit AUKUS with its obscene $375 billion price tag. The level of waste with AUKUS is staggering, it amounts to $1 million a day, every day, for a thousand years.

 

"What makes the AUKUS mess even worse is that it is incredibly unlikely it will ever result in any submarines for Australia, because neither the UK or the US have any real capacity to produce spare submarines or reactors for Australia.

 

"Australians are increasingly realising that US bases, whether it is Pine Gap, Harold Holt or the growing US submarine base off Perth, do not make us safer, they make us a target.

 

"While Labor and the Coalition are pouring billions into AUKUS to join the next US war, the Greens will take us down a different path, that prioritises regional cooperation and human security."

 

There is little doubt that Trump’s goal is to destabilise the global economy. Australia should be turning to its regional partners to secure trade opportunities and ensure peace.

 

Now is the time to stand up firm on our two feet, saying that Australia won’t be bullied – not caving in to the U.S. – and hit the American bully where it hurts! Our foreign and defence policies must be truly independent - this is where Australia can be strong and lead the way.

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