May the Odds Be Ever in Our Favor...Or Not: China Slaps Tariffs on US and Allies in Plastic War!

The Games Begin...Again

Well folks if I thought surviving the arena was tough try navigating international trade disputes! Seems like the Capitol...err I mean China is firing back after the U.S. decided to hike up tariffs on their electric gizmos and computer brains. They've slapped some hefty anti dumping duties – up to a whopping 74.9% – on POM copolymers coming from the U.S. Europe Japan and even Taiwan. This POM stuff apparently is like the mockingjay of materials – versatile and able to replace things like copper and zinc. It's used in everything from car parts to those fancy medical gadgets they probably used to patch me up after well you know…everything.

The Numbers Game: Who Pays the Price?

Those high society folks in the Capitol always loved their numbers. Seems like the Chinese do too. The U.S. gets hit hardest with that 74.9% duty. Europe's looking at a 34.5% sting. Japan gets a 35.5% wallop except for Asahi Kasei – they’re getting a slightly kinder 24.5%. Taiwan's in for 32.6% but Formosa Plastics and Polyplastics Taiwan seem to have found some favor landing at 4% and 3.8% respectively. It's enough to make your head spin faster than Peeta trying to decorate a cake. You almost wish you can volunteer as tribute but you can't.

Is Peace on the Horizon (or Just Another Mirage)?

Remember when we thought we could finally put down our bows and arrows? Well apparently 'peace' in the trade world is about as likely as President Snow offering me a cup of tea. There was this glimmer of hope when the U.S. and China talked about cutting tariffs but even the Global Times (their version of Caesar Flickerman maybe?) thinks that needs extending. All I can say is: I hope they eventually figure out a solution.

The APEC alypse Now?

Even the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation group is sounding the alarm bells. They're talking about 'fundamental challenges' facing the whole trading system. Sounds a bit like the world's about to explode all over again doesn't it? When the world is at odds the arena is more appealing to me.

The Real Hunger Games: A Material World

Honestly all this talk about copolymers and tariffs makes me think: maybe we should all just go back to living off the land. No fancy gadgets no trade wars just good old fashioned survival. Though I suspect even then someone would find a way to tax my rabbit stew. 'If we burn you burn with us!' except this time it's the economy not just District 13.

So What's Next? (Besides More Propaganda)

Well I'm no economist but it seems like this whole situation is about as stable as a three legged stool. Hopefully someone with a brain (and a conscience) will figure out how to resolve this before things get worse. In the meantime I'll stick to hunting squirrels and trying to avoid any more exploding arrows. Seems safer.