Does the US have any friends now?

[Amy10223]

I'm talking about Canada, Mexico, and Europe, all allies that we used to have. What's happening?

[RavVid]

So far as my country (Australia) is concerned the US is our major ally and ties in recent years have only got stronger.

If the question is more aimed at Europe, I think the US is right to push them into greater self reliance. Back in 1949 the US was last man standing after WW2 and it was necessary for US to guarantee security. But now EU has a comparable GDP to the US and should absolutely being doing more for their own defense.

I was quite shocked recently looking at the top 20 military ratings of various countries. Obviously such rankings are pretty hypothetical. I don't think Australia is very strong militarily but I am just using my country as a rough yardstick. We have quality forces and good equipment but with 26 mill we can't have a horde of an army.

On one ranking only UK, France, and Italy were higher than us. So they ought to be with double our population. Germany was rated lower than us. On the Global Firepower Index Germany were rated much higher than us. So they bloody ought to be with 3 times our pop.

Even so 50% of Nato population (excl US & Canada) are in countries less capable than Australia. Not only that but 25% of that population are countries that have a smaller pop than Australia.

There are very genuine structural problems with Nato being a collection of national defense forces on that last stat alone. That really needs to rethought.

Not so long ago we sent one of our Wedgetail AWACS to Germany to help out with the Ukraine sit. Happy to help out, good training for our crews etc. But it seems only Sweden has AESA radar equipped AWACS. WTF? You're all within 2,000 K of Moscow guys! OK they're getting Wedgetails AWACS... geting 6 ... in 2031. Meanwhile we are operating 6 now.

The US is right to push European countries to better self defense capability. Europeans might feel very hurt, ill used and badly let down but they need to stop sitting on their hands.

by the way Thanks US for the the visit of USS Minesota with collaboration training with our guys as part of the prep for us getting nuclear powered subs. Cheers.

[RavVid]

Thanks for the MHO

[MisterWack]

Okay so, imagine one of your closest friends (out of your big friend group)….

They helped you rebuild after you’ve been pushed around, they helped your other friends learn to be nearly as technologically savvy as they are, and reached out when able to make a good relationship where all benefit especially themselves….

Now imagine that friend gets really drunk and it screws with their brain and believes they are getting screwed over & abused. They break your toys, threaten agreements, and blame you for everything bad in their life…. Would you personally stop being friends or would you feel sympathy and want to help them?

This is the current scenario in terms of tariffs, trade wars, and political meetings just to fuel debate & petty rivalry over a genuine solution all manufactured by Donald Trump.

[MisterWack]

Love you Canada & Mexico & Ukraine for your support during the wildfires, thank you for sending firefighters and aid when applicable. We have a strong relationship that will resume once this lard ass is out of office. Slava Ukraini & Power To Canada / Mexico. ✊🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽🇲🇽

[Amy10223]

Thank you so much much, Mr. Whack. I chose your answer quickly before the moderators here choose one for me. I also support Ukraine, Mexico and Canada. And I pray that yes, we will resume being friends with them as soon as the orange clown and turd gets out of the Oval Office.

[MisterWack]

You’re welcome, trust me because it will get better…. 2016 didn’t last forever and so will 2024. I’m tremendously grateful that we had 4 years of Biden Administration because to have 8 straight years…. Yes it would be over by now though the damage would be too intense. This at least guarantees the damage wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been to the world stage. Just hang in there. VOTE 2026 for a Democratic Congress and VOTE 2028 for a Democratic Administration.

[Amy10223]

🙏🏻👍

[MisterWack]

@amy10223 I don't know how I forgot, but Thank You for MHO.

[Amy10223]

You're welcome. 👍

[Anonymous]

Did we ever. It's kind of like that one rich kid who's parents have a pool. All the other kids come by to use the pool but they aren't a friend

[FreyaRed]

Yes. A country that is inhabited by god chosen people who think world belongs only to them and USA is the vehicle that ensures their dominance.

[BonzoInBitburg]

Canadian here and I can honestly say that the sentiment for the vast majority of Canadians is we like Americans but didn't want to be Americans. We are so integrated with business and we like it when the system worked. We used to dump cheap softwood across to the US and the US dumped cheap drywall into Canada and it was win win for both sides trying to keep building costs down but Trump ended that in his first term and now lumber and drywall are up significantly in both countries. Even now, we haven't changed how we feel about Americans but you elected a president that crossed the line too many times. I am not a supporter of our current government but kudos to the politicians here who have united to create new trading partners and lowered tariffs with Mexico, Australia and the EU to save Canadian businesses. It seems like everyday they're in a new country signing new deals.

We know that less than half of American voters support Trump's policies so we still like over half of Americans but as they say, "business is business" and we will sell and trade elsewhere for the foreseeable future. I'll really miss a glass of bourbon after dinner for the next 4 years but single malt Scotch isn't that bad.

[MrOracle]

They're all still friends. Trump is just re-defining the relationship. Past administrations were happy to screw over the American taxpayer in order to gain influence with foreign governments, giving those governments free passes that the US taxpayers had to pay for. Trump is going to each one and saying "this is the value you bring to us, and this is the value we provide to you. They don't match, so we're going to readjust until they do."

People don't like having free stuff taken away from them, especially once they've gotten used to having them, but the fact is that they're still better off with the new deal than without it, so they'll adjust, and then they'll get over it, and the relationship will go back to normal. That's because the relationship is still a net benefit to all these countries and everyone knows it.

[Amy10223]

"Trump is just re-defining the relationship." Yes, by having his neighbors pay a 25% and more increase in tariffs, which is what WE end up paying for. I hope you know how that works. Canada used to be our friend--and Trudeau has already explained to Trump how that would work. They do not think of us a friend anymore--not while he is in office.
That's an odd way to "redefine" the relationships he has with our friends. But you are right--he is redefining our relationship with Russia, our long-time enemy, and proving to be on their side. And then Trump asked Russia not to side with China, but that was a no-can-do on Russia's part.

[MrOracle]

I think YOU don't realize how it works. The tariffs will justify investment in the US to provide those goods and services. Which will lower the costs again..

Were you aware that Canada has had tariffs on the US for decades? Why aren't you complaining about those tarrifs? They cost the US billions every year.

Trump is simply leveling the playing field - something past administrations, on both sides of the aisle, were unwilling to do, selling out America to gain personal influence abroad.

Trump isn't looking for personal influence - he's looking out for America. That's his job. We're just not used to out presidents doing their job. But most of us are quite happy that it's finally being done.

[Amy10223]

"The tariffs will justify investment in the US to provide those goods and services. Which will lower the costs again.."
The costs will not be "lowered again". Both you and Trump, and those who think like you, think that foreign countries will pay for those tariffs. In fact, it is YOU, the consumer, who will and up paying for them.
Importers, that is, American companies, will be paying for those tariffs. That money goes to the US Treasury. These companies then pass on their higher costs to the consumers in the form of higher prices.
That is why during his first term in office, when Trump imposed higher tariffs on China, focusing on solar panels, aluminum, steel, and everything from China, the price of cars and anything having to do with those building materials shot up in price. As of today, Canada will do the same and impose 25% of tariffs on steel imported into the US.
NAFTA2, or the new version of the "North America Free Trade Agreement" of 1994, allowed for FREE trade with the US, Canada and Mexico. It was a great deal.
Economists agree that imposed tariffs on foreign countries will only hurt all countries involved. They will NOT end up lowering prices at stores. End of story.

[MrOracle]

You don't seem to grasp the more subtle ways that tariffs work.

Let's say that there's a new 25% tariff on Item X. That's a 25% increase of the wholesale price, not the retail price. Now, if there is literally zero competition for Item X, then, yes, perhaps most of that additional cost will get passed on to the retail buyer, but for any item where there IS competition, what actually happens is that the company is going to do everything they can to absorb as much of that tariff as they can, so their products remain competitive and they don't lose sales. If they pass on the entire costs, or even a significant amount, and the buyers have other options, they'll use those other options. Maybe their costs still go up a little when they take that other option, but that's better than paying a bigger markup. If the company can't absorb the majority of the tariff, because, perhaps, margins are too thin, then that company is going to lose sales. Either way, the company is going to suffer far more than the consumers (in any market where there is competition).

When this happens, the end result in the vast majority of cases is that the country being harmed by the tariff is going to come to the negotiating table and is going to be much more willing to work out a FAIR and SUSTAINABLE deal, and when they do, the tariff goes away. It's pretty unusual that these things aren't worked out, but sometimes that country needs to FEEL the negative effects before they're ready to support their leaders making a deal. Trump understands this well, and he's using it to great effect. Most countries have been willing to deal, either to stave off the tariffs in the first place, or to make them go away once implemented. That's going to repeat here.

[MrOracle]

You may get one or two holdouts - that's not impossible - but in the vast majority of situations, a deal is going to be made - one that is far better for American taxpayers.

Might there be a bit of pain during this process? Sure. As the saying goes, you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs. But Trump is looking at sustained, long-term success, and is willing to feel a bit of short-term pain to accomplish it. That's what sets him apart from previous administrations - they were unwilling to endure any short-term pain on their own watch, so they sold out America in the long run.

[Surely]

Canada will do the same and impose 25% of tariffs on steel imported into the US.
NAFTA2, or the new version of the "North America Free Trade Agreement" of 1994, allowed for FREE trade with the US, Canada and Mexico. It was a great deal.
I believe you have your tariffs backwards. Canada would be pretty stupid if they targeted their exports into the USA.

[Surely]

Also. The free trade agreement was not tariff free. Unless Canada is violating the agreement!

[Amy10223]

Most economists will disagree with you on many factors there, because it doesn't turn out that way at all, and it hurts all economies when you have trade wars, which is exactly what Trump is doing now.
You said: "When this happens, the end result in the vast majority of cases is that the country being harmed by the tariff is going to come to the negotiating table and is going to be much more willing to work out a FAIR and SUSTAINABLE deal, and when they do, the tariff goes away." That's IF the county being tariffed comes to the table, right? Well, so far, you can bet Canada and Mexico will NOT come to the table, because Trump began this trade war, not THEM. The one who has to come to the table is HIM. He and American will learn the hard way.

The fact is--that no--Trump and America don't have any friends at the moment--but Russia.
And here is a symptom of Trump's economy so far:
https://youtu.be/0XfKFK7nMJU?si=9MAjXYteR0AMKoZD

[Amy10223]

O+Mr. Oracle, with all due respect, do some searches on Global trade wars and why they don't work.

[D_Bone_Steak]

Think of this like a Simp... a stright up beta simp that pays girls to hang out with him. Stops paying... what's going to happen? He's still the one with all the money and power except those bitches just lost the power they had by having him simp for them. Oh they mad? Boo hoo muther fuckers! Cry me a fucking river you gold digging bitch made bitches. Suck the dick or GTFO, especially you "the fat one."

What's happening is we're going to make Canada, Mexico, and Europe a mother fucking state and they'll have to figure out how to massage my prostate. Stright up gangster shit, know what I'm saying? Better check yo self before you wreck your self.

I mean they're gonna have to be real friends now or fuck off. The left is dead.

[Shiprex]

You shouldn't have drunk the bleach to cure covid you know?

[D_Bone_Steak]

@Shiprex I don't do cocaine, I just like the way it smells

[Shiprex]

@d_bone_steak
and the smell of glue too?

[D_Bone_Steak]

@Shiprex No, just more cocaine.

[Shiprex]

@d_bone_steak
You need to vary the diet else you're heading for poor health outcomes

[D_Bone_Steak]

@Shiprex How about some mushrooms... they have vitamin D right?

[Shiprex]

@d_bone_steak
Yeah and you'd pick up some B12 as well from the soil they're grown int

[mstbooblover]

The mere fact of having choosen a person as Mr Trump to be the president of the US, already raises questions. I'm affraid that the countries threatened, at least verbally for the time being by the US's president, will in all logic not be prone to consider being friends anymore. Let's wait and see, and meanwhile use caution before even thinking of starting some business with the US in whatever way.

[SolitarySolace]

The idea that the U. S. has no friends because of Trump’s tariffs is an oversimplification of international relations. Tariffs are a negotiation tool—countries may push back initially, but that doesn’t mean alliances are broken. The U. S. still has strong ties with many nations, including Argentina, Japan, South Korea, the UK, and Poland, to name a few.

If anything, tariffs have forced some countries to engage in fairer trade deals, rather than continue taking advantage of outdated agreements. Alliances are built on more than just economic policy—they include defense partnerships, intelligence sharing, and geopolitical strategy.

So instead of assuming tariffs have destroyed friendships, it’s worth asking: are our alliances actually weaker, or are some countries just unhappy they can’t keep taking advantage of the U. S. economically?
- Eva ❤️

[Friendlybro79]

They unfortunately might have to be leery of us right now because of the insane administration ~49% of us voted in. Hopefully our Allies, and I think they do, distinguish the difference between our insane government republican party vs the avg American who values our relationships not only here but around the world.

[AviatorTom]

The US still has many friends. Remember that friends don't always get along, but still remain friends, because they realize that friendship in the long run is more important than petty disagreements.

[Amy10223]

Petty disagreements, like 25% and more tariffs they will pay as well as us. That's not petty. That's malicious behavior.

[AviatorTom]

@amy10223 China has had high tariffs on US goods for decades, to encourage their own industry. And on top of that, China stole most Western technology. Do you really think China building the largest high speed rail system in the world in just two decade was completely done internally? Maybe it''s time to equalize things.

[Amy10223]

China stole Western technology? How so? You have proof? Can you name a source?

[AviatorTom]

@amy10223 I'll use myself as a source. I was on my company's team that helped build the first metro line in Shanghai. That included both hardware and software. Within 5 years after combining the system, 3 other cities in China had identical hardware and software, all pirated from the Shanghai project.

Here us another. Apple assembles its iPhones in China. It's been discovered that some Chinese-made smartphones are amazingly similar to an iPhone, though they don't have the same performance and are much cheaper. www.gizmochina.com/.../

[Amy10223]

If it was YOUR American company that came to China and helped them build the first metro line there, their copying the hardware and software had to be be facilitated by either your company, or some engineer who forgot to take the hardware back with him or make it hard to copy. I don't see the problem though; you helped them--and they they bound to do the same thing with their other large cities.

[AviatorTom]

@amy10223 The hardware and software is installed on trains and along the track, so that the trains can move safely and efficiently. There is nothing to "take back". The Chinese then revers-engineered the hardware and software, making clones of it for the other cities. Just like they did with the iPhone clones.

Other countries don't do that. They respect Intellectual Property and do future business with the company.

[exitseven]

They only "friends" the US had were the ones that the US continually gave foreign aid and other goodies too. See how fast that they change their tune now that we have a president who is not a butt monkey.

[Amy10223]

Canada was always our friend and neighbor, and we RELY on. Canada for many things, such as heat. They don't depend on US, and they are very proud to be Canadians.

[exitseven]

we will soon see how much they rely on the US.

[DrPepper12]

What Amy said

[Anonymous]

They are friends Communist dictators like Vladimir Putin from Russia and North Korean leader Kim Jung Un.

The right wing who though they were fighting against communism actually ended up voting in a communist dictator who takes everyones money and their free speech. Its ironic.

[dragoblack]

Nope, trump and his administration fucked over the usa, isolating it and fucking up our entire economy. It's treason, a coup, espionage, and terrorism... but unless our Congress and Senate admit it and take action, our safeguards will continue to be dismantled, and our freedoms & rights stripped from us.
All of our former allies consider the usa compromised, like a deadly virus.

[lightbulb27]

everyone will think differently now, thnk about their own interests. they used to fall in line with what the USA said, now they will think twice. it's an unfortunate change, too harsh. but reality.

[DrPepper12]

Yes. Putin, Kim, Erdogan, Modi, Xi.

Great crowd. Lotsa laughs.

[combative]

Countries that actively kill a hundred thousand of your citizens a year aren't friends, they are enemies... Silent weapons in quiet wars might not go boom, but they still aggression.

[combative]

*they're

[Dargil]

Only the ones that matter.
Israel
Japan
South Korea
Philippines
Argentina
Italy
Australia
More coming.

[Shiprex]

By friend you mean someone benefiting from the reality xar crash going on?

You know its VP in Moscow.

[msc545]

Trump has treated them all like crap - not sure they are friends at least for now...

[loveslongnails]

If you live in a country with a dictator, except N. Korea, they're friends of the USA. My, how the mighty have fallen.

[KostasKouvalis]

We do.

Argentina, Italy, Israel, El Salvador.

Hungary and India probably. And probably some east/SE Asian countries.

[Anonymous]

did we before? those countries only liked us because they were charging tariffs on US goods. The second Trump started charging them tariffs in the same way, they threw a bitch fit. That doesn't sound like they were our friends to me.

[Anonymous]

They have Russia and north Korea

https://www.youtube.com/embed/OnqmHlBWheU

[Anonymous]

Americans have friends. People of other countries are intelligent enough to distinguish between criminals and citizens.

[Anonymous]

Of course ;)

[Twalli]

Trump is trying to get new allies while alienating all of the ones we had whrn he assumed office.

[SmokinAces2000]

Russia, North Korea, and any other fascist countries

[Dargil]

Keep your friends close, or your friends closer.

[Anonymous]

No but if they are smart they'll join BRICS maybe BRICAS and control the world collectively

[RedInnocent69]

Nope. Neighborhood bullies deserve to get spanked

[dustybiker2]

Americans are lazy. Nothing is happening.

[Ironco]

Just calm down, we're still all fine.

[Amy10223]

Who is not calm? It's a question.

[Zoe04]

Yea Russia, North Korea.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Dictators !!!

[Anonymous]

I think so.

[RedInnocent69]

Really? Who? Russia?

[Opinion Owner]

You are Russian?

[RedInnocent69]

No. Are you?

[Opinion Owner]

Where are you from?

[RedInnocent69]

Who are the US’ friends now?

[Opinion Owner]

What country are you from?

[Amy10223]

That's interesting. Where? Who? What? It's like the Abbott and Costello lines about the baseball game.

[PaleDale]

No, none.