Economy

[bistro]

How do you think the economy is going guys?

Stock market collapses, prices slightly down a bit in recent weeks, not sure because people are cutting costs hence demand is down or because the side effect of Trump's New Tarriff (TNT).

This is the first time a leader deliberately bring down the stock market and openly do that... though im not 100% agree but he has that all in or die mentality, hence im interested to see the results.

How is everyone think they will be doing financially by year end? Hope all good... i know some of us probably sold their investment properties to be on safe zone, and its not easy...

[Pattyherb]

Alot of massage shops and brothels laundering money so if you never see a single soul walk in yet they are constantly open, renovating and the boss is driving a Mercedes you know something is up. This is referring to shops that have not put there prices down too.

[Samir_Verma]

Its getting harder now for an average working bloke like me. The cost of the punts are higher which means I need to save more or delay my experience.
Overall I find it dull and gloomy with elections, tariffs and generally cost being high.

[MikeOxlong1]

Its getting harder now for an average working bloke like me. The cost of the punts are higher which means I need to save more or delay my experience.
Overall I find it dull and gloomy with elections, tariffs and generally cost being high.

Yes my punts have slowed down heaps also.
Now just sticking to my regulars these days.

[Double_Adapter]

Life’s just one big fucken cycle—whether it’s economics, punting, women, sex or anything else.

Some bloke named Benner came up with a chart predicting financial/economic cycles, and even though it’s over 150 years old, it still holds up. Might be worth a look to see if it lines up with your money moves and our current economic climate.

Then there’s Steiner, who had a similar idea but reckons life runs in seven-year cycles.
So, whether it’s cash, chicks or karma, you’re probably just looping through the same shit on repeat.

[Wayne]

Life’s just one big fucken cycle—whether it’s economics, punting, women, sex or anything else.

Some bloke named Benner came up with a chart predicting financial/economic cycles, and even though it’s over 150 years old, it still holds up. Might be worth a look to see if it lines up with your money moves and our current economic climate.

Then there’s Steiner, who had a similar idea but reckons life runs in seven-year cycles.
So, whether it’s cash, chicks or karma, you’re probably just looping through the same shit on repeat.

You’re absolutely right. I think of the cost of punting over the 50 years I’ve been doing it. A one hour session at 99 Albion was $120 in 1975. That represented more than half of my weekly income. When you take in cost of living changes, inflation, average wage, all those sort of factors, that is way more expensive than a one hour session today at Ginza. $300 for one hour with a Japanese beauty is really really cheap.

[Roydemeo]

You’re absolutely right. I think of the cost of punting over the 50 years I’ve been doing it. A one hour session at 99 Albion was $120 in 1975. That represented more than half of my weekly income. When you take in cost of living changes, inflation, average wage, all those sort of factors, that is way more expensive than a one hour session today at Ginza. $300 for one hour with a Japanese beauty is really really cheap.

I wonder how many nuts you’ve busted in 50 years

[stallionmachine123]

Single millennial here live at home still and got an investment property.

I shouldn’t complain about the cost of living but I worry about my future trying to raise a family if the time came.

I’m still a shit kicker in the corporate world earning average wage and worry about losing my job any day I work in tech and it’s a blood bath and job market is shit hole.

I see on reddit everyday people losing their job.

[Asiandaddy]

Single millennial here live at home still and got an investment property.

I shouldn’t complain about the cost of living but I worry about my future trying to raise a family if the time came.

I’m still a shit kicker in the corporate world earning average wage and worry about losing my job any day I work in tech and it’s a blood bath and job market is shit hole.

I see on reddit everyday people losing their job.

It's crazy what new AI apps just pop up on a weekly basis. Taking jobs right out of people's palms.

Just yesterday I made a commercial lease contract using AI and got my solicitor to quickly go over it and saved a bunch $$$

[Wayne]

I wonder how many nuts you’ve busted in 50 years

Must be in the 1000s. In the early days of this forum I wrote a diary of punting adventures in Sydney before brothels were legalised. Then how the whole scene changed, and got much cheaper, when SE Asian workers came in from the late 70s. Then AIDS changed things in the early to mid 80s and it became expensive again. Then, after Tiananmen Square, Chinese students flocked in from the early 90s and it became cheaper again. Now it really feels it’s returned to halcyon days. I’d guess that another upheaval in the world will change it again. Who knows? Maybe Dutton will do something stupid in line with Trump and the whole scene changes again.

[stallionmachine123]

It's crazy what new AI apps just pop up on a weekly basis. Taking jobs right out of people's palms.

Just yesterday I made a commercial lease contract using AI and got my solicitor to quickly go over it and saved a bunch $$$

Not just AI also but big4 banks and corporations sending jobs to Asia and India.

AI is powerful and will only get better I use it heaps but I still think society will find a way to work us more.

[Wayne]

Not just AI also but big4 banks and corporations sending jobs to Asia and India.

AI is powerful and will only get better I use it heaps but I still think society will find a way to work us more.

Though I suspect AI will just further alienate the complacent and there’ll be a larger pool of the disengaged.
I’ve met dozens of these new Japanese girls who are nowadays replacing Chinese students in the brothels. What strikes me is how well educated-but uneducated they are. Most seem to be at university level, but have little idea of the opportunities they have in this digital economy. They appear lazy. Even 10 years ago you wouldn’t be getting these sort of women in sydney brothels.

[GoldfishMan]

Not just AI also but big4 banks and corporations sending jobs to Asia and India.

AI is powerful and will only get better I use it heaps but I still think society will find a way to work us more.

Absolutely right bro. The worst perpetrators are the biggest corporations in the private sector. They get big, they sell their souls to shareholders on the stock market, then they end up in a vicious cycle of never ending greed and the need for ever bigger profits.

The shining light in all this doom and gloom is the public sector. Government jobs cannot be offshored due to data sovereignty laws. That's why if Dutton takes power.... Lord help us all, the Aussie economy will be crushed!

[fnmfnmfnm]

You’re absolutely right. I think of the cost of punting over the 50 years I’ve been doing it. A one hour session at 99 Albion was $120 in 1975. That represented more than half of my weekly income. When you take in cost of living changes, inflation, average wage, all those sort of factors, that is way more expensive than a one hour session today at Ginza. $300 for one hour with a Japanese beauty is really really cheap.

Agreed - I’ve only been punting for 3 years or so but I think given the level of quality at a place like Ginza - $300 for an hour with a gorgeous woman in her prime that you can do almost anything to.. is very very good value.

[woodland]

The collective West is in decline. The future will be China and South East Asia, and maybe parts of South America.

[HiredGoon]

Though I suspect AI will just further alienate the complacent and there’ll be a larger pool of the disengaged.
I’ve met dozens of these new Japanese girls who are nowadays replacing Chinese students in the brothels. What strikes me is how well educated-but uneducated they are. Most seem to be at university level, but have little idea of the opportunities they have in this digital economy. They appear lazy. Even 10 years ago you wouldn’t be getting these sort of women in sydney brothels.

You blame this on AI?

[HiredGoon]

The collective West is in decline. The future will be China and South East Asia, and maybe parts of South America.

And parts of Africa.

[suka03]

it is the stupidity of US being greed in trade and war mongering. Nothing benefits their citizens but a licker to Shitrael giving mooney for geno. Let alone they destroy their ownself.

[stallionmachine123]

Absolutely right bro. The worst perpetrators are the biggest corporations in the private sector. They get big, they sell their souls to shareholders on the stock market, then they end up in a vicious cycle of never ending greed and the need for ever bigger profits.

The shining light in all this doom and gloom is the public sector. Government jobs cannot be offshored due to data sovereignty laws. That's why if Dutton takes power.... Lord help us all, the Aussie economy will be crushed!

I felt like growing we have been lied to, go to uni don’t go to tafe don’t do manual labour.

Alright went to uni got a useless degree 30k down the drain god help gen z with their hecs debts and can’t get a job.

Every company I’ve been wants to offshore IT and backend office jobs.

Every person I know that’s worked at a big4 been laid off.

Growing up in the south western suburbs we all laughed at the suburbs now me and my mates my age are going past Liverpool cause we can’t afford Bankstown etc.

Every Govt job advertised these days you need to be either indigenous or LBGTQ whatever the fuck it is to be considered.

[Icegodofhungary]

Must be in the 1000s. In the early days of this forum I wrote a diary of punting adventures in Sydney before brothels were legalised. Then how the whole scene changed, and got much cheaper, when SE Asian workers came in from the late 70s. Then AIDS changed things in the early to mid 80s and it became expensive again. Then, after Tiananmen Square, Chinese students flocked in from the early 90s and it became cheaper again. Now it really feels it’s returned to halcyon days. I’d guess that another upheaval in the world will change it again. Who knows? Maybe Dutton will do something stupid in line with Trump and the whole scene changes again.

I take my hat off to you sir. I hope I can still be doing this 30 years from now.

[Icegodofhungary]

Though I suspect AI will just further alienate the complacent and there’ll be a larger pool of the disengaged.
I’ve met dozens of these new Japanese girls who are nowadays replacing Chinese students in the brothels. What strikes me is how well educated-but uneducated they are. Most seem to be at university level, but have little idea of the opportunities they have in this digital economy. They appear lazy. Even 10 years ago you wouldn’t be getting these sort of women in sydney brothels.

I've met a lot of these young Japanese women too. I have considered myself pretty lucky that they've decided to do this job rather than make money on OnlyFans or some other platform. Perhaps some are lazy, but a lot of them I've met actually seem to work very hard - some are working one or more legit jobs (in restaurants or aged care or other things), doing their sex worker job a few days a week, and sometimes going to language school or some sort of vocational training or something too. I wonder if Japan (somewhat ironically) has just not embraced the internet the same way most of the rest of the world has? Even when I was there quite recently you seemed to need paper forms and receipts for everything, online bookings etc. on their own seemed not enough. Or maybe these girls would rather do sex work to make money where they're not going to meet anyone they know, rather than risk an acquaintance or family member come across them doing something risque online?

[Icegodofhungary]

I felt like growing we have been lied to, go to uni don’t go to tafe don’t do manual labour.

Alright went to uni got a useless degree 30k down the drain god help gen z with their hecs debts and can’t get a job.

Every company I’ve been wants to offshore IT and backend office jobs.

Every person I know that’s worked at a big4 been laid off.

Growing up in the south western suburbs we all laughed at the suburbs now me and my mates my age are going past Liverpool cause we can’t afford Bankstown etc.

Every Govt job advertised these days you need to be either indigenous or LBGTQ whatever the fuck it is to be considered.

Yeah, my company missed out on a government contract at least in part because we couldn't show we had an indigenous person working for us, or demonstrate our indigenous hiring practices. We are a very small company only about a dozen people, and we have people from almost as many ethnic backgrounds (only like two aussies), but we don't have an indigenous person. Would be happy to hire anyone who can do the job, but in my many years of doing this I have never come across someone I knew to be indigenous in my field. So fuck knows how our competitors are ticking that box for the government work (probably hiring ring-ins or making up some bullshit about their hiring policies ... hmmm, maybe I can get AI to write a bullshit hiring policy for us, problem solved).

[GoldfishMan]

I felt like growing we have been lied to, go to uni don’t go to tafe don’t do manual labour.

Alright went to uni got a useless degree 30k down the drain god help gen z with their hecs debts and can’t get a job.

Every company I’ve been wants to offshore IT and backend office jobs.

Every person I know that’s worked at a big4 been laid off.

Growing up in the south western suburbs we all laughed at the suburbs now me and my mates my age are going past Liverpool cause we can’t afford Bankstown etc.

Every Govt job advertised these days you need to be either indigenous or LBGTQ whatever the fuck it is to be considered.

I've already seen 3 of my ex-colleagues at a big 4 been laid off in the last month. And you know how stupid it was? The greedy MOFO manager who was only after his KPI stupidly picked the wrong one to lay off. Out of the 3, that 1 lady was the only person who knew how to do the work that she did.

She was a contractor so they tried to offer her a perm position once they realised they made a mistake. Unfortunately for them she had already got a new contract role by then and boy, she really let them have it. It was a thing of beauty!

I swear if shareholders get to see the level of stupidity that exists in the ranks of management at these big banks they wouldn't be so ready to invest in them. It's just one layer of stupidity covering for the next layer of stupidity. 90% of them are simply not qualified to make the decisions that they've been tasked with. You've got people with no IT background being a CIO cos he moved "across" from a similar rank in the org. Then he ends up having to hire a "tech CIO" to "help" him. FFS...

All of them are just feeding off the gravy train because our banks are allowed to milk as much profit as they want from the Australian public. The Aussie gov does nothing to reign them in. AFAIK, Oz is the only country where you pay a higher interest rate on a car loan than on a mortgage. Go to the USA, SG, Malaysia, etc., it's the other way around. I told this to a banker friend of mine in SG he was scratching his head cos it makes no sense at all.

[stallionmachine123]

I've already seen 3 of my ex-colleagues at a big 4 been laid off in the last month. And you know how stupid it was? The greedy MOFO manager who was only after his KPI stupidly picked the wrong one to lay off. Out of the 3, that 1 lady was the only person who knew how to do the work that she did.

She was a contractor so they tried to offer her a perm position once they realised they made a mistake. Unfortunately for them she had already got a new contract role by then and boy, she really let them have it. It was a thing of beauty!

I swear if shareholders get to see the level of stupidity that exists in the ranks of management at these big banks they wouldn't be so ready to invest in them. It's just one layer of stupidity covering for the next layer of stupidity. 90% of them are simply not qualified to make the decisions that they've been tasked with. You've got people with no IT background being a CIO cos he moved "across" from a similar rank in the org. Then he ends up having to hire a "tech CIO" to "help" him. FFS...

All of them are just feeding off the gravy train because our banks are allowed to milk as much profit as they want from the Australian public. The Aussie gov does nothing to rein y them in. AFAIK, Oz is the only country where you pay a higher interest rate on a car loan than on a mortgage. Go to the USA, SG, Malaysia, etc., it's the other way around. I told this to a banker friend of mine in SG he was scratching his head cos it makes no sense at all.

My last company not public more of a family run business got one of the boys to be CIO who had no IT background he basically hired a bunch of people under him as his tech advisors.

He told us all that overseas workers is cheaper and we will replace you there if you want to leave.

I was one of the first to leave and 2 years on not one local software dev remains.

[Wayne]

I've met a lot of these young Japanese women too. I have considered myself pretty lucky that they've decided to do this job rather than make money on OnlyFans or some other platform. Perhaps some are lazy, but a lot of them I've met actually seem to work very hard - some are working one or more legit jobs (in restaurants or aged care or other things), doing their sex worker job a few days a week, and sometimes going to language school or some sort of vocational training or something too. I wonder if Japan (somewhat ironically) has just not embraced the internet the same way most of the rest of the world has? Even when I was there quite recently you seemed to need paper forms and receipts for everything, online bookings etc. on their own seemed not enough. Or maybe these girls would rather do sex work to make money where they're not going to meet anyone they know, rather than risk an acquaintance or family member come across them doing something risque online?

Oh I agree. I’ve used the word lazy poorly. I meant it more like you say: somehow disconnected. It surprises me how educated Japanese women (and I guess, not just Japanese we meet in brothels) somehow seem not tuned into the digital world evolving around us. Yeah, sure they have every gadget under the sun. But they don’t seem to have made the collective mental leap into understanding the real world is now online. This thread is fascinating because it’s discussing AI and how it’s changing workplaces: all workplaces, even brothels. My point is that these young Japanese beauties currently in Sydney would not be here if they had the understanding of their Chinese peers. I think you are also right about Japanese internet uptake. I think Japan was the last major economy to adopt the internet (because, as I remember hearing, the houses were so small they didn’t have room for home computers). Contrast that again to China, where everything went online with super fast connectivity.
And you are also right, I think, that there will always be a proportion of girls who would rather just do sex work than anything else that requires thinking.

[pmmeyourknee_]

Agreed - I’ve only been punting for 3 years or so but I think given the level of quality at a place like Ginza - $300 for an hour with a gorgeous woman in her prime that you can do almost anything to.. is very very good value.


I have considered myself pretty lucky that they've decided to do this job rather than make money on OnlyFans or some other platform.



And you are also right, I think, that there will always be a proportion of girls who would rather just do sex work than anything else that requires thinking.

There's clearly a gap between what's considered Beautiful here in Australia and in Japan.
Japan does have Onlyfans (it's called Fantia), and these girls could absolute make an account, but they probably realize they wouldn't make much money because of their subpar looks (By Japanese Standards)
The most beautiful women wouldn't become prostitutes, especially selling body abroad to foreigners lol. There's a ranking to entertainment jobs depending on your looks, which roughly goes like this:
Idol -> Announcer -> Bikini model -> Streamer -> JAV -> Hostess -> High end escort -> Sex worker -> so on...
The girls we see here are probably towards the end of the list. The top tier ones stay in Japan. Go to Soapland in Japan and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I know it sounds crazy to call some of the girls we saw here "not pretty", but beauty is subjective right? I guess this is a blessing in disguise for some of us. Also does it matter how Japanese people rank these girls? Who cares. So just enjoy..

[thefatness]

These new tariffs announced by Trump could upend economies and see more girls from Asia especially South East Asia come to Australia for sex work. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were all hit with 45+% tariffs. Thailand, Indonesia, China and Taiwan were hit with approx 34% tariffs whereas Malaysia, Korea and Japan were hit with about 25% tariffs. The US is usually the largest or second largest export market for these countries

[ChadThunderrcock]

There's clearly a gap between what's considered Beautiful here in Australia and in Japan.
Japan does have Onlyfans (it's called Fantia), and these girls could absolute make an account, but they probably realize they wouldn't make much money because of their subpar looks (By Japanese Standards)
The most beautiful women wouldn't become prostitutes, especially selling body abroad to foreigners lol. There's a ranking to entertainment jobs depending on your looks, which roughly goes like this:
Idol -> Announcer -> Bikini model -> Streamer -> JAV -> Hostess -> High end escort -> Sex worker -> so on...
The girls we see here are probably towards the end of the list. The top tier ones stay in Japan. Go to Soapland in Japan and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I know it sounds crazy to call some of the girls we saw here "not pretty", but beauty is subjective right? I guess this is a blessing in disguise for some of us. Also does it matter how Japanese people rank these girls? Who cares. So just enjoy..

I have been to Japan & all over China. The prettiest girls there have no need to travel abroad.

The most beautiful Japanese girls already have a "Papakatsu".
In China, the most beautiful girls are "Xiao San".
Both are the same thing. Essentially they already have a sugar-daddy.

The prettiest girls there who are in need of money, are already being taken care of & sponsored by some very rich man. So these girls have no need to travel abroad & sell their bodies to random foreigners.

[stallionmachine123]

Wait till these Asian mamasans learn how to get AI to do images of the girls.

We all will be getting catfished hard.

[Daysgone]

Wait till these Asian mamasans learn how to get AI to do images of the girls.

We all will be getting catfished hard.

Sadly, we're already seeing that with some shops/agencies.

[GoldfishMan]

These new tariffs announced by Trump could upend economies and see more girls from Asia especially South East Asia come to Australia for sex work. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were all hit with 45+% tariffs. Thailand, Indonesia, China and Taiwan were hit with approx 34% tariffs whereas Malaysia, Korea and Japan were hit with about 25% tariffs. The US is usually the largest or second largest export market for these countries

What does everyone think about these tariffs?

Before anyone shoots from the hip, let's look at the facts. Things have always been cheap in the USA. Take a look at the price of a Merc or a Bimmer, any model, in the USA vs the price you'd pay here. It's a joke. You're easily paying at least double the price buying the same car here. The same goes with just about any imported item you can think of.

How can things be so cheap in the USA? Well, because of tariffs of course! For all these years, the US have not been taxing the importation of foreign made products nearly as much as most other nations. Why did they do this? One can only imagine that it is because they (the USA gov) wanted their citizens to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Let their hard earned $$$ go further, they probably said.

So now we come to the Trump tariffs. He's really smart in doing this. He's dressed it up as "make America great again". Period. Full stop. But is it really just that? Hell no... The full statement is
"let's try to make America great again, but you'll have to start paying the same price for every luxury you've been enjoying hitherto as everyone else in the world. Small disclaimer: No guarantees that it'll work, but you'll still have to pay for it".

My honest opinion is they've got all the right to do this for their economy and it almost feels right. Why would they not tax importation of Mercs and Bimmers when their own Chevies are taxed to smithereens in Germany? That made no sense at all and totally feels like injustice.

So the likely outcome is, moving forward, Americans will be forced to pay the same price for Mercs and Bimmers as all of us. I personally applaud this. Bravo, well done Mr. Trump. FMD, I've always hated and envied how they could get stuff so cheaply. Now fuck em, they're actually being fucked over by the same guy that they voted into office! Do they know? I reckon not yet, but they will soon do!

[BongoMongo]

I think the impacts of the tariffs just announced is going to mean a hell of a lot of volatility and chaos in the short and medium term. For Australia, I think the impacts we need to watch for are from the impacts to Japan and Korea, who will be hit pretty hard in industries like automotive. Both are top 5 trading partners with Australia, above the US, which at the moment ranks only 7th. If their economies tanks as a result, we could be in for a shock also as we provide a lot of raw materials for that industry…

[thefatness]

I think the impacts of the tariffs just announced is going to mean a hell of a lot of volatility and chaos in the short and medium term. For Australia, I think the impacts we need to watch for are from the impacts to Japan and Korea, who will be hit pretty hard in industries like automotive. Both are top 5 trading partners with Australia, above the US, which at the moment ranks only 7th. If their economies tanks as a result, we could be in for a shock also as we provide a lot of raw materials for that industry…

I think we need to keep a closer eye on China bro. Everything is made in China and the US economy is driven 70% by consumption. Imagine as an importer of Chinese goods in the US you’re faced with a 34% price hike overnight - electronics, toys, furniture, clothes and just about anything made of plastic. If China’s economy slows down then we’ll be impacted especially mining. A US recession coupled with massive inflation is also on the cards.

[BongoMongo]

Yes good point, China is the obvious one. But they’ve been preparing for this for much longer and have a large domestic market. I suspect they’ll be able to find alternatives from US in the long term and have a better ability to shift the economy to other industries, e.g. they’re already the world leader in EV production driven by domestic demand and arguably the world leader in AI and tech. An authoritarian government has the advantage here to be able to more quickly make changes to industry investment and profile. In addition, I suspect the China government will end up subsidizing much of the tariff impacts so will lessen indirect impact to trade partners.

But you’re right they’ll likely have a more immediate effect on the Australian economy.

Globally it’s likely that everyone will be facing a recession…I’m waiting for when the Americans realise what shit they’re in and they’ve basically given away their hegemony for nothing…let the rioting begin…

[ChadThunderrcock]

Some good responses on Economics here and how it will affect our markets. I'm sure it will be American citizens who will foot the bill for the 10% Tariff on Australian imports. Not us.

But more importantly is how would it affect our Punting market and the ML/WL/FS shops here

And the Punter's ability to punt

[fted]

I'm sure it will be American citizens who will foot the bill for the 10% Tariff on Australian imports. Not us.

Yep, that's how tariffs work. But Trump has sold it to the MAGA faithful as being the other way round. Beggars belief.

[stallionmachine123]

Yes good point, China is the obvious one. But they’ve been preparing for this for much longer and have a large domestic market. I suspect they’ll be able to find alternatives from US in the long term and have a better ability to shift the economy to other industries, e.g. they’re already the world leader in EV production driven by domestic demand and arguably the world leader in AI and tech. An authoritarian government has the advantage here to be able to more quickly make changes to industry investment and profile. In addition, I suspect the China government will end up subsidizing much of the tariff impacts so will lessen indirect impact to trade partners.

But you’re right they’ll likely have a more immediate effect on the Australian economy.

Globally it’s likely that everyone will be facing a recession…I’m waiting for when the Americans realise what shit they’re in and they’ve basically given away their hegemony for nothing…let the rioting begin…

Can’t wait to see the day AU has more investment in tech. We have only two big tech companies who don’t even profit and their products aren’t great.

[BongoMongo]

Haha thundercock asking the real questions here!

[Icegodofhungary]

There's clearly a gap between what's considered Beautiful here in Australia and in Japan.
Japan does have Onlyfans (it's called Fantia), and these girls could absolute make an account, but they probably realize they wouldn't make much money because of their subpar looks (By Japanese Standards)
The most beautiful women wouldn't become prostitutes, especially selling body abroad to foreigners lol. There's a ranking to entertainment jobs depending on your looks, which roughly goes like this:
Idol -> Announcer -> Bikini model -> Streamer -> JAV -> Hostess -> High end escort -> Sex worker -> so on...
The girls we see here are probably towards the end of the list. The top tier ones stay in Japan. Go to Soapland in Japan and you'll see what I'm talking about.

I know it sounds crazy to call some of the girls we saw here "not pretty", but beauty is subjective right? I guess this is a blessing in disguise for some of us. Also does it matter how Japanese people rank these girls? Who cares. So just enjoy..

Thank the stars for subjective standards of beauty. Tell Japan I'll gladly take a few of their 'less pretty' girls off their hands.

[GoldfishMan]

Yep, that's how tariffs work. But Trump has sold it to the MAGA faithful as being the other way round. Beggars belief.

It's because the majority of his supporters are disillusioned uninformed angst ridden folk who will just clutch at anything thrown their way. They are too busy being angry to think about what it actually means to them.

These are people who will only realise what they have signed up for when the result is staring at them in the face, when it is too late.

[Icegodofhungary]

It's because the majority of his supporters are disillusioned uninformed angst ridden folk who will just clutch at anything thrown their way. They are too busy being angry to think about what it actually means to them.

These are people who will only realise what they have signed up for when the result is staring at them in the face, when it is too late.

Most of them are so enraptured with the cult of Trump / MAGA that they won't even realise it then, as Trump will find a way to misdirect the blame elsewhere. Tariffs are beautiful, it's because of (insert target of Trump rant here) that you're paying more for everything now.

[GoldfishMan]

I think we need to keep a closer eye on China bro. Everything is made in China and the US economy is driven 70% by consumption. Imagine as an importer of Chinese goods in the US you’re faced with a 34% price hike overnight - electronics, toys, furniture, clothes and just about anything made of plastic. If China’s economy slows down then we’ll be impacted especially mining. A US recession coupled with massive inflation is also on the cards.

I'd keep an eye on China but not for the same reason as you are. This situation creates the perfect setting for them to exert their influence on the world outside of the US. It's something they've been aspiring to do for more than the last decade, now it's being served up to them on a silver plate
.
Of course, their economy would have to first weather the storm of losing the US market.

[woodland]

The percentage of Chinese exports going to the US is only around 12%.

[thefatness]

The percentage of Chinese exports going to the US is only around 12%.

Yes that’s true but I think the announcement today was to also hit Chinese companies that have opened up shop across South East Asia to avoid the original trade war tariffs between China and America during Trump’s first term.

[HiredGoon]

Every Govt job advertised these days you need to be either indigenous or LBGTQ whatever the fuck it is to be considered.

This is obviously absurd and untrue.

[HiredGoon]

What does everyone think about these tariffs?

Before anyone shoots from the hip, let's look at the facts. Things have always been cheap in the USA. Take a look at the price of a Merc or a Bimmer, any model, in the USA vs the price you'd pay here. It's a joke. You're easily paying at least double the price buying the same car here. The same goes with just about any imported item you can think of.

How can things be so cheap in the USA? Well, because of tariffs of course! For all these years, the US have not been taxing the importation of foreign made products nearly as much as most other nations. Why did they do this? One can only imagine that it is because they (the USA gov) wanted their citizens to enjoy the fruits of their labour. Let their hard earned $$$ go further, they probably said.

So now we come to the Trump tariffs. He's really smart in doing this. He's dressed it up as "make America great again". Period. Full stop. But is it really just that? Hell no... The full statement is
"let's try to make America great again, but you'll have to start paying the same price for every luxury you've been enjoying hitherto as everyone else in the world. Small disclaimer: No guarantees that it'll work, but you'll still have to pay for it".

My honest opinion is they've got all the right to do this for their economy and it almost feels right. Why would they not tax importation of Mercs and Bimmers when their own Chevies are taxed to smithereens in Germany? That made no sense at all and totally feels like injustice.

So the likely outcome is, moving forward, Americans will be forced to pay the same price for Mercs and Bimmers as all of us. I personally applaud this. Bravo, well done Mr. Trump. FMD, I've always hated and envied how they could get stuff so cheaply. Now fuck em, they're actually being fucked over by the same guy that they voted into office! Do they know? I reckon not yet, but they will soon do!

Are you saying that the Australian tariff on cars from Germany is 100%? The price difference in a BMW between here and the US involves a lot of factors, I doubt tariffs have much to do with it. We have a luxury car tax, import duties (5%), higher dealer mark up, less competitive market, exchange rate etc.

The US worked out the tariffs for different countries by dividing the trade deficit with each country by the total amount imported from that country and then divided that by 2, the logic being that this will eventually result in equal trade with that country. This is moronic, not smart. Equal trade is totally unrealistic. They also didn't include industry providing services overseas, just goods so its completely skewed.

For example, U.S. goods exports to Vietnam in 2024 were $13.1 billion, U.S. goods imported from Vietnam totaled $136.6 billion, so the U.S. goods trade deficit with Vietnam was $123.5 billion. 123.5 billion divided by 136.6 billion is just over 90% so Vietnam gets a 46% tariff.

The reason for the trade deficit is that Vietnam produces much more that Americans want than the other way around. Tariffs are not going to change this, it just means another tax for American consumers from the supposedly "party of lower taxes" and probably the end of some Vietnamese businesses.

It also gives China an advantage, being a more stable and trustworthy trading partner after Trump has effectively ripped up the existing free trade agreements with countries like ours which means he can't be trusted to keep future agreements.

[GoldfishMan]

Are you saying that the Australian tariff on cars from Germany is 100%? The price difference in a BMW between here and the US involves a lot of factors, I doubt tariffs have much to do with it. We have a luxury car tax, import duties (5%), higher dealer mark up, less competitive market, exchange rate etc.

The US worked out the tariffs for different countries by dividing the trade deficit with each country by the total amount imported from that country and then divided that by 2, the logic being that this will eventually result in equal trade with that country. This is moronic, not smart. Equal trade is totally unrealistic. They also didn't include industry providing services overseas, just goods so its completely skewed.

For example, U.S. goods exports to Vietnam in 2024 were $13.1 billion, U.S. goods imported from Vietnam totaled $136.6 billion, so the U.S. goods trade deficit with Vietnam was $123.5 billion. 123.5 billion divided by 136.6 billion is just over 90% so Vietnam gets a 46% tariff.

The reason for the trade deficit is that Vietnam produces much more that Americans want than the other way around. Tariffs are not going to change this, it just means another tax for American consumers from the supposedly "party of lower taxes" and probably the end of some Vietnamese businesses.

It also gives China an advantage, being a more stable and trustworthy trading partner after Trump has effectively ripped up the existing free trade agreements with countries like ours which means he can't be trusted to keep future agreements.

I don't disagree with you about most of your points. Don't think you detected that I was being sarcastic when I applauded Mr Trump.

Mind you I don't think he's stupid. The American public who support him are stupid, not him. What's the definition of success out of all this? American producers get to sell more products to the American public at higher than expected prices due to the price of otherwise more competitive products being higher due to tariffs.

He's effectively robbing the American public to feed American capitalism.

[HiredGoon]

I don't disagree with you about most of your points. Don't think you detected that I was being sarcastic when I applauded Mr Trump.

Mind you I don't think he's stupid. The American public who support him are stupid, not him. What's the definition of success out of all this? American producers get to sell more products to the American public at higher than expected prices due to the price of otherwise more competitive products being higher due to tariffs.

He's effectively robbing the American public to feed American capitalism.

I see. Problem is that America is not in a position to produce a lot of products that have tariffs on them. They can’t just instantly produce industries to do that. He’s cunning and very self interested but that doesn’t mean he’s not an idiot.

[Folcis]

The US worked out the tariffs for different countries by dividing the trade deficit with each country by the total amount imported from that country and then divided that by 2, the logic being that this will eventually result in equal trade with that country. This is moronic, not smart. Equal trade is totally unrealistic. They also didn't include industry providing services overseas, just goods so its completely skewed.


Is that how it works? I didn't realise. What a fucking moron. If Canada is exporting something to you cheaper than you can make it yourself, that improves your cost of living as a consumer, in a country which exports services and imports consumer goods. I get that Trump wants to roll back the clock, but this is going to hurt his base bigly.

I think it is more likely the response from the rest of the world will be what Canada is currently trying to organise... just bypass the USA and conduct free trade with other countries. If they want to isolate themselves then good luck and I hope it works out for you, but we aren't obligated to trade with you and we aren't paying your tarrifs either. That'll be the importers / end consumers.

[BongoMongo]

I see. Problem is that America is not in a position to produce a lot of products that have tariffs on them. They can’t just instantly produce industries to do that. He’s cunning and very self interested but that doesn’t mean he’s not an idiot.

That’s assuming he cares about the American economy and the American people. The tariffs are definitely an idiotic move, but I don’t think he cares. As you say he’s more interested in lining his pockets and those of other elites that he can benefit from. He’s thrown off the western democratic ideals and gone back to creating extractive institutions…

[Double_Adapter]

What a load of fucken cow dribble and horse shit!

Trump ain't a fucken politician he's an old fat greedy business man that is running the US like a fucken giant business. It's all about greed, power, profits and money, and it ain't get any simpler than that!

As for our politicians they're all fucken spineless, clueless and crooked lying fuck wits - the only time a politician tells the truth is when he calls another politician a liar. Anyways everyone knows the only difference between a politician and a flying pig is the the letter F.

Plus you get more truth and facts from an Escorts & Babes ad than you do from governments, politicians, religions, science, education and the legal system.

[GoldfishMan]

I don't understand the tariffs. Is it imposed on goods imported into the USA that are manufactured or originate from a foreign country or they go by country of the company selling the product?

Eg. iPhones are made in China or Vietnam, but Apple is an American company. Do the tariffs apply to iPhones in this case when they are imported into the US market?

[clim]

I don't understand the tariffs. Is it imposed on goods imported into the USA that are manufactured or originate from a foreign country or they go by country of the company selling the product?

Eg. iPhones are made in China or Vietnam, but Apple is an American company. Do the tariffs apply to iPhones in this case when they are imported into the US market?

Tariffs apply in this case. Apple has to pay tariffs on the iPhone that they have manufactured outside of USA.

[asam46]

I just like the idea that the USA will bring back manufacture from places like Vietnam. That’s what will make America great. All these Nike employees in the USA doing design, finance, research, marketing, sales etc. They need to stop doing those dumb jobs at $30-100 per hour and start making footwear and apparel for $0.20 a piece.

[Hedonisticfun]

What a load of fucken cow dribble and horse shit!

Trump ain't a fucken politician he's an old fat greedy business man that is running the US like a fucken giant business. It's all about greed, power, profits and money, and it ain't get any simpler than that!

As for our politicians they're all fucken spineless, clueless and crooked lying fuck wits - the only time a politician tells the truth is when he calls another politician a liar. Anyways everyone knows the only difference between a politician and a flying pig is the the letter F.

Plus you get more truth and facts from an Escorts & Babes ad than you do from governments, politicians, religions, science, education and the legal system.

Maaaate .. you nailed it !!!!!
Now tell us how you really feel hahaha
Seriously WELL FUCKING SAID !!!!

[Hedonisticfun]

How do you think the economy is going guys?

Stock market collapses, prices slightly down a bit in recent weeks, not sure because people are cutting costs hence demand is down or because the side effect of Trump's New Tarriff (TNT).

This is the first time a leader deliberately bring down the stock market and openly do that... though im not 100% agree but he has that all in or die mentality, hence im interested to see the results.

How is everyone think they will be doing financially by year end? Hope all good... i know some of us probably sold their investment properties to be on safe zone, and its not easy...

The economy is what all you punters do to the sex industry workers

Paying over a 1.5 million dollars for the average house in Sydney is a starting point

A can of coke $3.95 at a shop not your overpriced servo or convenience shop for $4.95

Lots more examples where people are just a rent or mortgage payment away from being homeless and doesn't appear to be any letup soon

[HiredGoon]

I just like the idea that the USA will bring back manufacture from places like Vietnam. That’s what will make America great. All these Nike employees in the USA doing design, finance, research, marketing, sales etc. They need to stop doing those dumb jobs at $30-100 per hour and start making footwear and apparel for $0.20 a piece.

Make America great by increasing the amount of working poor? There's no way the US can produce those things at the low cost VN can. What's wrong with service industry jobs?

A lot of US manufacturing industries (like the auto industry) rely on some parts manufactured overseas too so the price of those cars will increase. Ford is already laying off workers.

[BongoMongo]

What’s clear is that this is a turning point in world history for better or worse. A hundred years from now, people will look back and pinpoint the exact moment when the script flipped…I guess we had a good run of 80 years or so. Welcome to the beginning of the new world order.

[Ziggurat]

What’s clear is that this is a turning point in world history for better or worse.

What do you mean by "better?" :question:

He's wreaking all this havoc and thinks "Gard" intervened for him to do it by slightly diverting the bullet.

[GoldfishMan]

Make America great by increasing the amount of working poor? There's no way the US can produce those things at the low cost VN can. What's wrong with service industry jobs?

A lot of US manufacturing industries (like the auto industry) rely on some parts manufactured overseas too so the price of those cars will increase. Ford is already laying off workers.

You couldn't detect his sarcasm? Come on...

[ricki]

Though I suspect AI will just further alienate the complacent and there’ll be a larger pool of the disengaged.
I’ve met dozens of these new Japanese girls who are nowadays replacing Chinese students in the brothels. What strikes me is how well educated-but uneducated they are. Most seem to be at university level, but have little idea of the opportunities they have in this digital economy. They appear lazy. Even 10 years ago you wouldn’t be getting these sort of women in sydney brothels.

Now don't get me wrong, even if they are at uni and have a degree getting a job on their own field is like a dream to most of the offshore students. Without the right connection and network getting a corporate job is close to impossible these days. The people who are born here already have a really hard time finding jobs, so the chance of international getting a job is very low. Even though have a digital economy it's gonna be really hard getting the job considering the competition that they have. Although some of them could be lazy but I wouldn't group most of them together.

[HiredGoon]

You couldn't detect his sarcasm? Come on...

Yeah ok on second reading. Never know in this place but glad that's what it is.

[Folcis]

Make America great by increasing the amount of working poor? There's no way the US can produce those things at the low cost VN can. What's wrong with service industry jobs?

A lot of US manufacturing industries (like the auto industry) rely on some parts manufactured overseas too so the price of those cars will increase. Ford is already laying off workers.

Absolutely. I think I read a shitpost where someone said an iPhone costs $1,500 which after tariffs will be $1,918. But don't worry! When Apple brings back manufacturing to the US it will cost $2,500.

For me the breath-taking stupidity of the Trump position is that he regards trade imbalances as being taken advantage of. Like what mate? Vietnam can makes shoes for cheap and can't afford to import from you because their currency is too weak. So he says that a 90% trade imbalance and we are going to tariff you 45% or whatever it is. Well done genius, shoes go up and the seppos still can't make them cheaper at home.

What about Australia? We have the position where we import more from the US than we export to them, so we are slugged with the base rate 10%. Make it make sense.

[stallionmachine123]

How many of you guys feel a sense of job security in today’s economy? How many of you will leave for more money or are you concerned to give up that security you may have now?

[GoldfishMan]

Actually now that I understand the nature of the Trump tariffs more, I gotta admit.... He's a complete idiot. No other way to describe how stupid his "strategy" is.

I think the problem here is not only does he not understand trade and doing REAL business (not phoney, inherited real estate empire style "business") in general, he is also surrounded by idiots that he unfortunately hand-picked himself (discussing war plans on Signal and inviting a journo to the chat, for example). It's like he built a ship full of holes and jumped right into it.

The irony is I think he will likely be deposed in the same style that he tried to stir up in the election before the last. Through an insurrection. Once enough people want him gone, he will be gone, regardless of due process. Sayonara, Mr Trump.

[pmmeyourknee_]

Damn the stock market is crashing, I think I will stop punting for a bit.
Who knows how long and how low this is going to go?

Cash is king now, not giving it away to hookers.

[BongoMongo]

What do you mean by "better?" :question:

He's wreaking all this havoc and thinks "Gard" intervened for him to do it by slightly diverting the bullet.

Aha it’s just a turn of phrase but if you ask my opinion, at the end of the day in the long term and from a global outlook there is no better or worse, just different. Trump was voted in by the American people, who were in turn responding to a perceived sense that the old way was not working for them.

There’s this general thought that western liberalism, through its values of democracy, capitalism, and freedom of choice, has led to a rising of global living standards and prosperity for most, however the balance may be starting to tip with many now feeling like inequality has increased. Which has led to the growth of many nationalistic movements.

In the short and medium term that will probably mean a lot of economic pain, but eventually there will be a new equilibrium reached. Will it be better or worse? Depends who you ask the question to..

[BongoMongo]

Damn the stock market is crashing, I think I will stop punting for a bit.
Who knows how long and how low this is going to go?

Cash is king now, not giving it away to hookers.

But if we all stop punting, lowering demand, the supply will slow too! Who will take one for the team and keep the punting market afloat for us all?

[pmmeyourknee_]

But if we all stop punting, lowering demand, the supply will slow too! Who will take one for the team and keep the punting market afloat for us all?

Nikkei crashed harder, you really think J-Girls are going to stop coming. They're doing significantly worse than us. We'll be fine

[Hedonisticfun]

But if we all stop punting, lowering demand, the supply will slow too! Who will take one for the team and keep the punting market afloat for us all?

But if we all stop punting , stop paying rates , stop voting , stop ... hahaha you're dreaming.
Despite all the grumblings people will continue and adjust . The system is stacked up against those that don't like how things are .

[Hedonisticfun]

Damn the stock market is crashing, I think I will stop punting for a bit.
Who knows how long and how low this is going to go?

Cash is king now, not giving it away to hookers.

Cash is king hahaha it'll be obsolete soon enough. Hookers or punting in general is a luxury , when finances are strained the toys , luxuries and non essentials are the first to be sacrificed

[xboyx]

business, economy, even your career will go in cycle. Good times followed by bad times, vice versa, almost guaranteed like days followed by nights.

my business was flying for 12+ years, I thought nothing could go wrong, and it did go wrong. I've had to cut costs to the bone, now it's stable but the industry has gone through its own cycle and tough to do business.

This Trump tariffs is a great opportunity to make money in the stock market. I have about 20% in cash and looking to deploy into the stock market. Thanks to Mr Trump, now I have a second chance to make generational wealth.

[ironmonk]

Cash is king hahaha it'll be obsolete soon enough. Hookers or punting in general is a luxury , when finances are strained the toys , luxuries and non essentials are the first to be sacrificed

The "Stripper Index" is meant to be a forward looking indicator for predicting a recession, however I'm under the impression that business is/was still steady, or even booming? Case in point that new No5. J Girl Midori, J RiRi $380 1 hr minimum within 1 week, Ice $420 and booked out, etc.

So people obviously are still flush with cash for "discretionary" spending (for now at least)

[jamesbond007]

Trump has just cost me around 200 future punts with the current economic crash.

[Vader]

Soon it will be time to make some big money and cash is king. Plus Albo is crashing our economy.

[JJBlows]

Trump has just cost me around 200 future punts with the current economic crash.

Call me a nut job but I honestly reckon the US is preparing to go to war with China, i mean Taiwan/SEA to China is what ukraine is to russia and putin still invaded over it.

A tldr is that just like in WW2, America was able to win it millitary simply by the fact of its logistics capability in being able to support russia, Europe and its self by its industrial output through its already existing domestic manufacturing capabilities, alot of companies manufacturing goods for everyday households where able to swap over to building tanks, planes and guns etc really quickly.

I think he is trying to bring that domestic output back without publicly adressing the elephant in the room because when shit kicks off, the first things to be going are global lines of communication and global supply routes. Sounds drastic but it kills two birds with one stone, helps americas economy with local consumption of products but also having the capacity and materials to produce self sufficiently in war time economy.

[Supersmashbros]

Market tanked today.

[HiredGoon]

The "Stripper Index" is meant to be a forward looking indicator for predicting a recession, however I'm under the impression that business is/was still steady, or even booming? Case in point that new No5. J Girl Midori, J RiRi $380 1 hr minimum within 1 week, Ice $420 and booked out, etc.

So people obviously are still flush with cash for "discretionary" spending (for now at least)

Doesn't take many people to book out a few top wls so not the greatest indicator.

[HiredGoon]

Soon it will be time to make some big money and cash is king. Plus Albo is crashing our economy.

In what way? Economic figures have been steadily improving.

[Cassius1]

I thought most of the Japanese girls were FIFO. Where are the ones living and studying here?

[Boomer77]

The collective West is in decline. The future will be China and South East Asia, and maybe parts of South America.

Actually, the rest of world is in decline. In 30 years, Japan and Korea will be no more because of their birth rates. But I guess not many of us will still be punting 30 years from now…

[Folcis]

This Trump tariffs is a great opportunity to make money in the stock market. I have about 20% in cash and looking to deploy into the stock market. Thanks to Mr Trump, now I have a second chance to make generational wealth.

Very much agree with this, but we could see the market whipsaw up and down before finally settling a long way off the all time highs. Like 50 - 75% down. In other words, I'd keep my powder dry for the time being, unless Trump suddenly pivots.

[Vader]

In what way? Economic figures have been steadily improving.

Stock exchange. Plus our economic situation will bite especially if Albo gets in.

[HiredGoon]

Stock exchange. Plus our economic situation will bite especially if Albo gets in.

Stock market is not really a valid representation of the economy. But again, how will Albo getting in damage the economy? Legit question

[Vader]

Stock market is not really a valid representation of the economy. But again, how will Albo getting in damage the economy? Legit question

I really don't need to waste my time as your name sums you up

[HiredGoon]

I really don't need to waste my time as your name sums you up

Or maybe you just don't know how to explain your vague hypothesis. Vader.

[ChadThunderrcock]

The "Stripper Index" is meant to be a forward looking indicator for predicting a recession, however I'm under the impression that business is/was still steady, or even booming? Case in point that new No5. J Girl Midori, J RiRi $380 1 hr minimum within 1 week, Ice $420 and booked out, etc.

So people obviously are still flush with cash for "discretionary" spending (for now at least)

The top 1% of all income earner's in Australia are not affected by any of this at all. And these are the same guys who are booking out these top WL's.

Does not take many guys to book out a top popular WL. So its not a good indicator of how the average punter is going

The average to low-end ML's/WL's are the one's who will feel the crunch of the economic recession as they will not get as many customers as they once did. And the average punter will cut back on punting activities too.

[GoldfishMan]

Call me a nut job but I honestly reckon the US is preparing to go to war with China, i mean Taiwan/SEA to China is what ukraine is to russia and putin still invaded over it.

A tldr is that just like in WW2, America was able to win it millitary simply by the fact of its logistics capability in being able to support russia, Europe and its self by its industrial output through its already existing domestic manufacturing capabilities, alot of companies manufacturing goods for everyday households where able to swap over to building tanks, planes and guns etc really quickly.

I think he is trying to bring that domestic output back without publicly adressing the elephant in the room because when shit kicks off, the first things to be going are global lines of communication and global supply routes. Sounds drastic but it kills two birds with one stone, helps americas economy with local consumption of products but also having the capacity and materials to produce self sufficiently in war time economy.

It's possible. I think of the USA like the Germany just before WW2. Their economy was completely farled right before the war. Nazi ideology be damned, there are many like me who think that the single driving force behind them going to war was simply because they had a terrible economy. Their people were dying of starvation. They had nothing to lose.

Imagine if you were starving, couldn't put a roof over your family, couldn't feed them, you couldn't get any joy from anywhere, punting, Netflix, drinking at the pub, you name it, all gone. Life no longer has any meaning. BUT... you stand a chance of getting it all back if you follow the "leader" and go to war. Pause for a minute and think about how you would act in those circumstances.

I'm sure some of you might be thinking "why would Trump want to do such a thing? What does he gain out of it?". Some might say that he's conspiring with his elite buddies to line their pockets, but I personally think that it's a much more stupid reason.

He's trying to avoid prison. Remember that the election that he won was an all or nothing bet from him. He'd been found guilty of crimes and was bound for prison. He was only saved by becoming POTUS. The only way he can stay out of prison was if he continued to be POTUS, and there's no better way to ensure that than to be a wartime president.

A telltale sign that this is the driving force behind his every action is the fact he's even talking about getting a 3rd term within less than 3 months of his current term. The guy is just a crook to the bone, seriously.

[Vader]

Or maybe you just don't know how to explain your vague hypothesis. Vader.

Hey Goon, hope you made good money on the stock market like I did. The Trumpster is king

[HiredGoon]

Hey Goon, hope you made good money on the stock market like I did. The Trumpster is king

So it's good to crash the economy now? Make up your mind.


Soon it will be time to make some big money and cash is king. Plus Albo is crashing our economy.

You still haven't explained how Albo is doing it.

[woodland]

It's possible. I think of the USA like the Germany just before WW2. Their economy was completely farled right before the war. Nazi ideology be damned, there are many like me who think that the single driving force behind them going to war was simply because they had a terrible economy. Their people were dying of starvation. They had nothing to lose.

Imagine if you were starving, couldn't put a roof over your family, couldn't feed them, you couldn't get any joy from anywhere, punting, Netflix, drinking at the pub, you name it, all gone. Life no longer has any meaning. BUT... you stand a chance of getting it all back if you follow the "leader" and go to war. Pause for a minute and think about how you would act in those circumstances.

I'm sure some of you might be thinking "why would Trump want to do such a thing? What does he gain out of it?". Some might say that he's conspiring with his elite buddies to line their pockets, but I personally think that it's a much more stupid reason.

He's trying to avoid prison. Remember that the election that he won was an all or nothing bet from him. He'd been found guilty of crimes and was bound for prison. He was only saved by becoming POTUS. The only way he can stay out of prison was if he continued to be POTUS, and there's no better way to ensure that than to be a wartime president.

A telltale sign that this is the driving force behind his every action is the fact he's even talking about getting a 3rd term within less than 3 months of his current term. The guy is just a crook to the bone, seriously.

I agree with you goldfishman.

[dewayne]

Call me a nut job but I honestly reckon the US is preparing to go to war with China,

Trump is not playing 4d chess. He's tearing down a system that he believes has wronged him and letting elon help for the same reason. He's not looking at china or europe and maybe barely looking at the middle east. He hardly ever looks past the nose on his face. Whatever wisdom there may exist in rightish/libertarian economics are going to be tainted for decades after all this is said and done.

[dewayne]

And to expand further, Australia needs to strengthen its local manufacturing and defense. I doubt China is a threat to us anytime soon but we can't rely on the states as protectors or our weapons dealers. We need to think of it as, we're in the deep end on our own out here, and we should act like it

[Pattyherb]

China is not the next world leader. China is a civilisation of merchants that lie, swindle and scam. Everything that built China was innovation invented by the west as a cheap copy. Remember these people caved to communism mid century and genocided their own population now you have a corrupt hedonistic country full of narcissism, almost non existent middle class will a declining birth rate. No one wants to live in China that why they move to the west.

[woods23]

China is not the next world leader. China is a civilisation of merchants that lie, swindle and scam. Everything that built China was innovation invented by the west as a cheap copy. Remember these people caved to communism mid century and genocided their own population now you have a corrupt hedonistic country full of narcissism, almost non existent middle class will a declining birth rate. No one wants to live in China that why they move to the west.

What did I just read? Are you still living in a cave? :shout: China won't rule the world , but will lead the world in the next 100 yrs.





China is a global leader in producing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates annually. Here are the key statistics and trends:

### **Annual STEM Graduates in China**
1. **Total STEM Graduates**: China produces approximately **3.57 million STEM graduates per year**, accounting for over **40% of all university degrees** awarded in the country .
- Some sources suggest an even higher figure of **4.7 million STEM graduates** annually, though this may include broader classifications of engineering and science fields .

2. **STEM PhD Graduates**:
- China is projected to produce **more than 77,000 STEM PhD graduates in 2025**, surpassing the U.S. by a ratio of nearly **2:1** .
- Since the mid-2000s, China has consistently graduated more STEM PhDs than the U.S., a key indicator of its growing research competitiveness .

3. **Comparison with Other Countries**:
- China leads globally, followed by India (2.55 million) and the U.S. (820,000) .
- By 2030, India may surpass China in total STEM graduates due to demographic trends .

4. **Fields of Study**:
- Unlike India, where **80% of STEM graduates specialize in IT and engineering**, China has a more diversified distribution, with **55% in engineering/IT** and the rest in broader sciences like AI, biotech, and renewable energy .

5. **Employment Trends**:
- A record **12.22 million college graduates** (including STEM) are expected in 2025, raising concerns about job market saturation amid economic slowdown .
- Over **80% of Chinese students who study abroad now return home**, reversing earlier brain drain trends due to China’s economic growth and research investments .

### **Key Takeaways**
- China’s massive STEM output supports its ambitions in AI, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing.
- Quality remains concentrated in top-tier universities (e.g., "Double First Class" institutions), though quantity dominates globally .
- The U.S. and other nations are increasingly competing to retain STEM talent, but China’s domestic retention rates are rising .

[Supersmashbros]

China is not the next world leader. China is a civilisation of merchants that lie, swindle and scam. Everything that built China was innovation invented by the west as a cheap copy.

This is brain washed mentality. I can understand as propaganda is easilly spread over tv, media and Twitter. Spread a lie a thousand times, it becomes the truth. People tend to believe what the majority are saying.

Think about this. If China was the ones stealing innovation and tech from the West to make a cheap copy, then why is the innovation and tech superior and cheaper than the West? Shouldn't the West have superior tech than China?

Yes, a lot of good ideas have come from the West. They develop some thing decent, then sit on it and try bank on it. China sees the good idea, they turn it into a greater idea with better value products.

Nothing wrong with this. Promotes competition. The West needs to step up their game. Better for consumers get better value for their money.

If you can't beat them, join them. If you don't want to join them, Tariff them lol.

[Pattyherb]

This is brain washed mentality. I can understand as propaganda is easilly spread over tv, media and Twitter. Spread a lie a thousand times, it becomes the truth. People tend to believe what the majority are saying.

Think about this. If China was the ones stealing innovation and tech from the West to make a cheap copy, then why is the innovation and tech superior and cheaper than the West? Shouldn't the West have superior tech than China?

Yes, a lot of good ideas have come from the West. They develop some thing decent, then sit on it and try bank on it. China sees the good idea, they turn it into a greater idea with better value products.

Nothing wrong with this. Promotes competition. The West needs to step up their game. Better for consumers get better value for their money.

If you can't beat them, join them. If you don't want to join them, Tariff them lol.

Let me guess, you live in Australia?

[woods23]

Let me guess, you live in Australia?

Let me guess. You're using "made in China"products every day.. yes, we chinese loved living in Australia. Is a great country.

So USA is winning the trade war vs china? So USA don't need Chinese products? Last I heard Trump is pulling back "some tariff" :shout: on China? No,
his friend , Mr Xi didn't call him :(

[Supersmashbros]

Let me guess, you live in Australia?

Yes I'm Australian

[Folcis]

So USA is winning the trade war vs china? So USA don't need Chinese products? Last I heard Trump is pulling back "some tariff" :shout: on China? No,
his friend , Mr Xi didn't call him :(

Trump has been pretty badly pantsed because he failed to think ahead and he overestimated the bullying that 25% of world GDP could inflict on 75% of world GDP. If he wanted to go to war with China only and used US allies as leverage in that endeavour, perhaps he would have found support and success, or perhaps not given how long it takes for companies to change supply chains. But it is truly baffling to go to a trade war with the whole world, which is only sending countries into new partnerships, including with China.

Other countries have now seen first hand how effective strategic US Treasury sales is.

And just an idle thought, but every time he announces a "concession" he lets other countries know US weak spots which could be export tariffed if other countries want to strike back.

[GoldfishMan]

Trump has been pretty badly pantsed because he failed to think ahead and he overestimated the bullying that 25% of world GDP could inflict on 75% of world GDP. If he wanted to go to war with China only and used US allies as leverage in that endeavour, perhaps he would have found support and success, or perhaps not given how long it takes for companies to change supply chains. But it is truly baffling to go to a trade war with the whole world, which is only sending countries into new partnerships, including with China.

Other countries have now seen first hand how effective strategic US Treasury sales is.

And just an idle thought, but every time he announces a "concession" he lets other countries know US weak spots which could be export tariffed if other countries want to strike back.

It's the Art of the Deal, my friend. It's going to be a Beautiful Thing. It will be tremendously fantastic.