By Odin's Beard! China Feels the Sting of the Bald Eagle's Tariffs!

The Serpent's Bite: Tariffs Draw First Blood

Hark! News reaches even these old bones. It seems the Emperor of the New World this 'Trump,' has sharpened his axe and swung it at the Chinese dragon! Word is these tariffs these taxes… they are causing havoc! Factories once humming like the forges of the gods are now silent. Workers sent home like warriors without a battle. 'Fear is a weapon,' they say. And this Trump he wields it well. Is this what Ragnar Lothbrok the Trader would have done? I can only imagine what Floki would have said about it.

The Gods of Gold: Millions in Peril

Ten million souls perhaps twenty tied to this trade with the New World. A vast number! More than I ever saw in all of England! Goldman Sachs says it so it must be true or maybe they are just full of balderdash! The Chinese Empire retaliates a tit for tat dance of economic warfare. But for the small folk the merchants and craftsmen this is no dance. This is a storm a 'ragnarok' of their livelihoods. Their mead halls are at risk.

Livestreaming Like a Viking Raid! To Attract Customers

Ha! The Chinese are turning to…'livestreaming'? They must be as desperate as the time I promised King Aelle to arrive without soldiers...except I did bring soldiers! Apparently they're selling their goods online like peddlers in a digital marketplace. An athleticwear company has had to resort to selling online. They canceled all their U.S. orders and now are trying to build new markets. 'Luck is often earned,' I've said. They may need more than luck to survive this storm.

Virtual Vikings and the Gods of AI

Even stranger! They speak of 'virtual humans,' digital mimics that sell wares. The Gods have abandoned them. Do they have a seer? I can ask The Seer of Kattegat to give insight to their situation. This is the work of the trickster Loki surely! I have to ask if no human is there is the business even there? Is the mead real or just illusions of hope. It's a small step toward salvaging lost business. But how will they trick customers without being able to look them in the eye?

Empty Promises: Are Trade Agreements Doomed?

The Chinese offer billions but is it enough? Only a tiny fraction of what they sold to the New World. One must know where one is going only then can one calculate the appropriate actions. I have to ask is this another case of being deceived or a real offer of redemption? These goods are not useful for the local Chinese population. I fear the worst.

New Shores: Sailing Beyond the Eagle's Grasp

Smart ones are turning to other lands India Europe South America. Brazil. Ghana! New trade routes! It reminds me of when I first sailed West seeking new lands not just for plunder but for knowledge for opportunity! As I have always said 'Life is a choice. You can choose fear or you can choose freedom!'. Perhaps this 'Trump' has unwittingly done them a favor forcing them to seek new horizons. 'I want to go to Paris!' Well looks like they have found Paris and more.