Trump's Trade Tiff Tantrums Trigger Tariff Trauma: Is Your T-Shirt Really Worth 55%?

Done Deal? More Like Done Dirt Cheap!

Alright folks listen up! Trump says the trade war with China is 'done.' Done like my last attempt at a Hawaiian shirt? I’m not so sure. Commerce Secretary Lutnick is saying tariffs on Chinese goods are locked in at 55%. Fifty five percent! That’s more than I spend on sunscreen during a beach vacation and that’s saying something.

Breaking Things and Moving Fast (in Reverse)

Even if this trade resolution is you know 'real' (insert eye roll) the damage is already done. The supply chain is reeling consumers are sweating and the economy is doing its best impression of my coding skills from 2003. Jamie Dimon from JPMorgan is saying real numbers will deteriorate. Deteriorate? That's putting it mildly. I bet even the Winklevoss twins are laughing at this.

55 Shades of Tariff Grey

Alan Baer CEO of OL USA is warning that this 55% tariff will put companies and jobs at risk. And Bruce Kaminstein founder of Casabella has the best question ever. Trump doesn't want to make T shirts so why is he doing this? Does he want to make spatulas? I'm picturing Trump in a factory wielding a spatula like a tiny orange hammer. It's… a vision.

Back to School Back to Broke?

Steve Lamar of the American Apparel & Footwear Association is dropping truth bombs. Nearly all clothes and shoes sold in the US are subject to elevated tariff rates. These costs will hit American families hard especially with back to school shopping and the holidays looming. Lower tariffs can't come soon enough. Maybe we should all just start wearing togas. Problem solved!

Waiting for Xi (and a Good Deal)

The Chinese government is being all mysterious only confirming that they agreed to some 'Geneva consensus' trade terms. Trump says the deal is 'subject to final approval' by him and President Xi Jinping. It's like waiting for the thumbs up from a very powerful meme lord. Meanwhile Treasury Secretary Bessent is floating the idea of extending tariff pauses. Pause? More like a never ending loading screen.

Trucking Troubles and Halloween Horrors

The trucking industry is facing a gauntlet of challenges. The intermodal volume is down truckload volume is down and Halloween decorations are already showing up in distribution centers. Glow in the dark skeletons before July? We've officially entered the Twilight Zone. Dean Croke of DAT Freight & Analytics says the damage is done. Carriers will struggle to recover. The supply chain won't recover until these trade deals are done. 'When you lose trust how do you make business decisions when it can be undone in a tweet?' Preach Dean preach! The Ocean TEU Index is trailing last year and the National Retail Federation's forecast is down 14%. It’s like the economy is sending us all a passive aggressive poke.