The Morning Sixpack - April 29, 2025

Trump to Ease Tariff Burden on U.S. Automakers, Reimbursing Manufacturers for Extra Duties

Just Another Trump Bailout?

In a move to support the U.S. automotive industry, President Donald Trump is set to announce adjustments to the tariffs imposed on foreign-built cars and auto parts. According to a top administration official, the new measures will reduce the financial strain on U.S. automakers by softening the 25% tariffs on imported vehicles and eliminating additional tariffs on steel and aluminum. This policy shift, reported by The Wall Street Journal, will also include retroactive reimbursements for automakers who have already paid these extra duties.

The changes, expected to be announced just before Trump's rally in Michigan, will apply to tariffs on auto parts set to go into effect on May 2. The modifications will offer automakers compensation, which begins at 3.75% of the value of U.S.-made vehicles for the first year and gradually decreases thereafter. Ford CEO Jim Farley welcomed the move, citing its potential to mitigate the negative impacts on both automakers and consumers.

"This deal is a major victory for the president’s trade policy by rewarding companies who manufacture domestically," said Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, emphasizing the benefits for both workers and manufacturers investing in U.S. production.

Howard Lutnick may be the Trumpiest and dumbest of all Trump’s cabinet leaders.

Source: MarketWatch

This sure seems like just another Trump bailout, doesn’t it?

Child Damages $56 Million Rothko Painting at Rotterdam Museum

This is why we can’t have nice things.

A priceless Mark Rothko painting, valued at $56 million, was damaged by a child at the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen museum in Rotterdam. The incident occurred when the child, left unsupervised, touched the lower part of the 1960 painting, Grey, Orange on Maroon, No. 8, resulting in visible scratches on the unvarnished paint. The artwork, part of the museum's collection since 1970, is one of only two Rothko pieces in the Netherlands.

The museum has not disclosed the identity of the child or their parents but is working with restoration experts to repair the damage. The museum's spokesperson confirmed that efforts are underway to restore the painting, with the aim of displaying it again in the future. While the museum has previously billed visitors for similar damages, the matter of who will cover the repair costs remains unresolved. Fine art insurance typically covers accidental damage, including incidents caused by children, under specific conditions.

Experts in art conservation note that modern, unvarnished paintings like Rothko's are particularly vulnerable to damage due to the nature of their materials and lack of protective coatings. Even small scratches can significantly impact the viewing experience.

Source: UPI

While I admit there is nothing special about this “art,” you gotta supervise your children, people!

Republicans Propose $1,000 Asylum Fee in Budget Bill, Making Immigration Even More Expensive

Beavis is in the House!

Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee have introduced a staggering new fee on asylum seekers in a recent 116-page reconciliation amendment. For the first time in U.S. history, asylum seekers would be required to pay a minimum $1,000 fee, with annual increases tied to inflation. The amendment also proposes additional fees for other immigration processes, including a $550 charge for employment authorization and up to $8,500 for sponsoring an unaccompanied child’s immigration, significantly inflating the costs of immigration for individuals and families seeking refuge in the U.S.

The bill would also impose several other steep fees, such as a $3,500 fee for child sponsorship and up to $900 to appeal a decision from the Department of Homeland Security, marking a sharp rise from current fees. Critics argue that these fees are designed to make the immigration process prohibitively expensive, while Republicans claim the fees will restore "immigration integrity" and enhance national security.

"This amendment is part of the ongoing effort to tighten immigration policies, including several provisions that will make it far more difficult for immigrants to access due process and legal protections," said a spokesperson from the committee.

Source: The New Republic

EVERYTHING about Trump is “pay to play.” EVERY FUCKING THING.

Irish Woman Detained by U.S. Immigration After Returning from Visit to Sick Father

Cliona Ward has been detained after re-entering her home country of the United States.

Cliona Ward, a 54-year-old Irish green card holder, has been detained by U.S. immigration officials after returning to the U.S. from Ireland, where she visited her sick father. Detained at San Francisco airport on April 21, Ward was later transferred to an immigration facility in Tacoma, Washington. The reason for her detention is a criminal record dating back nearly 20 years, including two felony convictions for drug possession in 2007 and 2008, which Ward believed had been expunged.

Ward, who has lived in the U.S. legally for decades, has been sober for over 20 years and is a respected member of her community, working for a non-profit and caring for her chronically ill son, a U.S. citizen. Her family is raising funds for legal assistance as they fight her detention, which they believe stems from an unfair interpretation of her past offenses. U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta criticized the use of a reportedly expunged conviction for deportation, calling it “unfathomable” for a legal permanent resident who has been a productive member of society.

The case adds to a growing list of documented migrants who are facing increased scrutiny and potential deportation under the Trump administration's tough immigration stance, with several high-profile detentions of green card holders and tourists making headlines recently.

Source: The Guardian

At this moment, if you were not born here, but you live here, I would suggest you not travel, even domestically. Airports are “ports of entry” subject to the jurisdiction of border patrol. Hell, even crossing a border between states right now is scary AF. Border Patrol has wide latitude (like within 100 miles of a border).

Mark Carney's Liberal Party Secures Victory in Canada's Election, Powered by Backlash Against Trump

Canada has redeemed itself. Look out Trump—they may want to make the United States a new province!

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has claimed victory in Canada’s federal election, completing an unexpected political comeback fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s attacks on Canada’s sovereignty and economy. After months of struggling, Carney’s party surged ahead as Trump escalated tensions, including threatening to make Canada the 51st U.S. state. As a result, the Liberals are poised to form a government, though they may need support from smaller parties to secure a majority in Parliament.

Carney’s win follows a period of turmoil, including a deadly attack at a Vancouver street festival, and Trump's relentless criticism of Canada’s trade policies and national identity. Trump’s rhetoric, including claims that the U.S. subsidizes Canada and should absorb it as a state, sparked widespread anger among Canadians. This, along with Carney’s leadership, shifted the election narrative and helped the Liberals win a fourth consecutive term in power. Many voters, including those who found Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre too Trump-like, rallied behind Carney.

Carney now faces significant challenges, including the potential need to rely on the separatist Bloc Québécois party to pass legislation, while navigating ongoing issues like the U.S. trade war, tariffs, and a cost-of-living crisis in Canada.

Source: Associated Press

Wanna be a province of Canada? Sign up Today!

China Expands Global Push for Yuan, Capitalizing on Decline of the Dollar

You may be looking at the new reserve currency.

As the U.S. dollar’s global dominance shows signs of retreat, China is seizing the moment to ramp up efforts to internationalize the yuan. With a surge in cross-border yuan payments reaching a record high in March, China is aggressively promoting its currency as an alternative in global trade, finance, and investment. The People's Bank of China (PBOC) has strengthened its financial services in Southeast Asia, expanded yuan swap agreements with central banks, and launched new initiatives like QR-code payments to reduce reliance on the dollar. Despite these moves, the yuan still faces challenges in competing with the dollar, which continues to dominate global payments and trade financing.

President Xi Jinping’s actions, such as increasing financial integration with countries like Vietnam and Cambodia, highlight China's ambitions to make the yuan a significant player in international markets. Analysts suggest that rising U.S. tariffs and the “weaponization” of the dollar under President Trump have shaken trust in U.S. assets, leading to an increased appetite for the yuan in emerging markets. While no currency is poised to dethrone the dollar, China's continued push for yuan adoption could reshape the global monetary landscape, especially if the U.S. economy enters a recession.

China’s efforts to expand the yuan’s global footprint are also reflected in its growing ties with the "Global South," including Argentina and Pakistan, which have renewed currency swap agreements. As the U.S. struggles with its protectionist stance, China may emerge as a key player in shaping the future of global trade and finance.

Source: MarketScreener

We’ve struggled for a long time staving off the Chinese economy for the #1 spot. Trump is taking us to #2 quite quickly. Tired of winning yet?