Trump's Trade Tango with Vietnam: More Than a Tossed Coin?

A Deal's a Deal... Or Is It?

So they say the White House has struck a trade deal with Vietnam. Trump and Hanoi eh? Sounds like a tavern brawl waiting to happen. Apparently the US slaps a 20% duty on Vietnamese imports a 'sharp' drop from the previous 46%. Sharp like a rusty butter knife I'd say. And the Yanks get a free pass? Smells fishier than a noonwraith's laundry. Funny how the world works... or doesn't. Winds howling and all that.

Transshipping: The Art of Avoiding a Good Spanking

Ah transshipping. A fancy word for sneaking goods through the back door. Apparently China's been pulling this stunt sending stuff to Vietnam just to avoid tariffs. A 40% duty on anything that smells of such trickery? Good. Cheaters deserve a griffin's claw to the backside. Makes you wonder what other sorts of sorcery those sneaky bastards are up to... always something isn't there?

Emerging Markets: More Like Submerging Markets?

Citi folks are saying this is bad news for other emerging markets. That if Vietnam catches cold Thailand and Malaysia get pneumonia. Makes sense. When one drowns all the bilge rats starts swimming for their lives. This 20% tariff is apparently worse than the expected 10% and this transshipping duty seems like more new layers of politics and trade wars for companies to swim through. Oh the joys.

Europe: Lost in the Woods Again?

And what of Europe? Well the EU as usual is fumbling with its codpiece. Vietnam shows how hard it is for them to get what they want – tariff free access. Some say they'll cave to a 10% tariff and try to snag some wins elsewhere. Sounds like a mage trying to bargain with a djinn. Good luck with that. You'll probably end up turned into a toadstool.

Sticking Points Sticking Points Everywhere

These trade talks between the EU and US are slower than a snail in molasses. Key sticking points? Big tech regulation taxes and a fundamental clash of world views. Trump wants tariffs as high as 50% and the EU has threatened countermeasures. A proper catfight it is. Reminds me of Triss and Yennefer arguing over who gets to use the last vial of perfume. Pointless really.

The Witcher's Verdict: More Chaos Than Order

So what have we learned? The world of trade is as predictable as a griffin's flight path. Deals are made deals are broken and everyone's trying to screw everyone else over. Just another day in the Continent. Maybe I should stick to monster hunting. At least the beasts are honest about wanting to rip your face off. Now where's my Roach? Need a drink. And perhaps a gwent game to clear my head. Damn politics.