Trade: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Donald Trump is waging a trade war that hurts a lot of American workers. Maybe he would understand that if our heavy-handed documentaries about the global trading system were more informative.
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[@same1839]

"I can name 10 forms of trade" is something Michael Scott would say.

[@geckoladyemma]

He does sound frighteningly like Michael Scott at times. Like, the joke in The Office is that Michael is so OBVIOUSLY incompetent... And now he's basically the president. So weird.

[@error_invalid_username]

@@geckoladyemma It scares me that these comparisons make sense nowadays

[@cuseyeti5243]

Watch the Mike Judge movie Idiocracy.

[@EDoyl]

I wish someone took him up on that

[@piggyblitz4404]

Michael Scott actually tried, cared about his workers and people, and he did always do what was best in the end.

[@the-chillian]

By Trump's logic, I have a massive, massive trade deficit with Safeway. I buy all manner of goods from them, but they have purchased NOTHING AT ALL FROM ME FOR OVER 30 YEARS NOW!!! To fix this, I will now tax myself every time I buy something there. That'll show them who's boss!

[@EcoMouseChannel]

But Safeway was never in a position to buy anything from you, unless you are a food producer or distributor. You are just the end user. China, can and does buy US made goods. Just not nearly as much as we buy from them. Plus, they do also cheat and steal ideas and don't honor patent laws or intellectual property. Case in point, you can see right now for your very eyes: www.kickstarter.com/projects/908228738/finalstraw-the-worlds-first-collapsible-reusable-s The Final Straw was a concept by this American based start-up. They ran a successful campaign, and have an innovative product. A foldable metal straw. Well, no sooner than a week after their campaign closed, were copycat products for sale on Amazon, straight out of China. Copied even their marketing photos, slogans, and even the case design. And they are already shipping months ahead of the American company. And to top it off, there's even knock-off companies warning about other knock-offs of the same product. www.amazon.com/Stainless-Keychain-Collapsible-Reusable-Beststraw/dp/B07DJ66PB1 Trump may not know the nuances of global trade and economics... but he is right about one thing... the sleeping giant is slowly taking over nearly every industry. And they did it not through innovation and hard work, or allowing their populous to be free and democratic, or having a thriving economy that was born out of the free market making the decisions. But through nefarious means, lying, stealing and cheating... all while ignoring the plight of their people and continuing to use it's populous as dutiful work slaves, building the empire of China.

[@luismepu]

lol dude, you should work for John Oliver, that was perfect! Hahaha

[@wolf-bass]

Brilliant!

[@jorgepascoal8612]

Eco Mouse, that FinalStraw story is just a great example of a poorly thought-out marketing plan. I mean, did they even have a patent? Such a simple concept was doomed to get copied! Crowdfunding the project was just idiotic, they should have kept it as secretive as possible until proper manufacturing and distribution channels were established, advertising was prepared to launch and the product was ready to go to market.

[@PictureMaker22]

ChrisC Are you a store?

[@ezzwhitezombie666]

- Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Huh? - Trade with Europe? - Ah ok I'll trade with Europe then

[@adrianhutabarat1736]

@Taine de Jong You can't trade exclusively with Germany because Germany is part of the EU and waived their rights to set their own trade policies to the EU, along with 26 other countries in the EU. As a result, if you want to trade with any of those 27 countries, you need to talk to the EU, not them, themselves.

[@StyxTBuferd]

Trump just failed a barter check 10 times in a row before giving up.

[@Pooksty]

@@adrianhutabarat1736 huh?

[@elliotthannam8374]

@@StyxTBuferd "I have the best words" SPEECH 0

[@chlcrk]

@@adrianhutabarat1736 When the Brexit campaign first tried to create their argument and later their plan after winning, some of them actually said we could circumvent the EU and just have direct trade relationships with the bigger nations like Germany and France. Which... No

[@walterzamalis4846]

“He only backed down on the eleventh refusal” Well, Trump does do this a lot with women so...

[@zarakikon6352]

Ouch. Nice one 😆👍.

[@HowToChangeName]

Did Cohen gave Merkel some money for that?

[@mikes89]

Literally spat out my tea laughing at that comment

[@DopeyDetector]

No you didn't ​@@mikes89

[@EllieofAzeroth]

The story about Melania and the factory worker was gold

[@palestinianrambo7017]

Hey baby. You like arabs, I am Arab

[@AMoistEggroll]

Catcalling much? Calm your cock dude lol

[@marloyorkrodriguez9975]

I consider it canon in this day and age

[@yangmagic0703]

It's aluminum.. lol

[@asherathe]

@@yangmagic0703 metal puns are TIGHT

[@AverageEggmonEnthusiast]

He’s probably never even traded a Pokémon card successfully.

[@seeamerica1]

I'll bet Trumps Daddy bribed Little Donny's way into the Wharton Finance school with a big donation, why else would Little Donny not want his high school records made public?

[@BeaulieuTodd]

Wit. And you have? Ummm...

[@AverageEggmonEnthusiast]

Todd Beaulieu me? Yeah.

[@antarath517]

Tbf, he probably just got his father to buy someone else's Lucario and then groped it.

[@AverageEggmonEnthusiast]

Antarath I don’t think truer tea has ever been spilled.

[@GrahamNickerson]

For a country that celebrates the Boston Tea Party, you would think it would be a bit more savvy about the dangers of tariffs.

[@trickrunner4842]

learns about. not celebrates

[@thenewcatgirl2727]

@@trickrunner4842 Nah, it is definitely a thing that is taught as being a very good thing that happened. We even have a whole political party dedicated to cosplaying the event

[@wouldiwasshookspeared4087]

The country does, Trump, however, is an idiot.

[@samfilmkid]

"Everyone knows that Trump doesn't know a lot of things but, occasionally, it's important to remember that he also doesn't know anything." That is just a masterpiece of a sentence.

[@ziqi92]

That Missourian steel worker is a classic example of the "I'm doing great so sucks to be you" worldview that so many Americans are enamored to.

[@sperzieb00n]

ziqi92 ikr, he'll never understand that 10 jobs were lost to save his, in order to divide and conquer the US population

[@fightbackphonescams2682]

"The tax cut gave me X amount of money on my tax return!" And the annoying but classic: "The economy is better than ever!" 1: tax cut gave you temporary breadcrumbs while the 1% get the biggest permanent cuts. 2: Obama brought the economy back up from the recession, the economy was already strong before Trump inherited it. Stop fooling yourself, this is REALITY, people are hurting and your family and kids will be affected.

[@rabidrabbitshuggers]

ziqi92 Americans in the South, yes.

[@PitLord777]

The good ol' "Screw you, I've got mine."

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

ziqi92 Don't you mean all of the planet?

[@godlesssss]

I sent this video to my Trump supporting father. He hasn't talked to me since. I love you John Oliver, will you be my daddy?

[@pat0652]

Has he gotten back to you yet?

[@godlesssss]

@@pat0652 Still waiting. LOL

[@ladida9084]

Anything yet?

[@godlesssss]

@@ladida9084 Nope, no reply.

[@zeldaprincessgirl100]

Anything yet?

[@TaterKakez]

“Before things get worse....” Wow, that didn’t age well.

[@Thenoobestgirl]

Aged like milk on a hot summer day.

[@nicholasthomas3040]

“Before things get worse....” Wow, that didn’t age well.

[@alien2640]

"'Before things get worse....' Wow, that didn't age well." Well that didn't age well.

[@rabbischlomobengoldbergstein]

@@alien2640 well that didn't age well

[@blackhat4206]

This has aged rather poorly.

[@adamlarussa5243]

I know it was a joke, but Angela Merkel doesn't just speak German. She's fluent in English (as well as Russian) as her mother was a trained English Language teacher.

[@RideAcrossTheRiver]

Trump is an idiot in any language.

[@MrGearOfficial]

"Oh, we'll do a deal with Europe then."" *NAILED IT*

[@teratokomi8731]

Trump then does a deal with EU after they fold from tariffs. Trump wins again and germany looks stupid.

[@gz2223]

1000000000000000 DEGREE KNIFE VS HUMAN BRAIN * BIG EXPLOSION *

[@nabeelmukhtar2871]

MVP

[@xl000]

Just ignore him. Let him do his Elsa and Spiderman video, he will leave eventually.

[@TheKarolean]

"Well if Germany doesn't want a deal with the US then we will just make a deal with the EU. Your loss Germany." -Trump "Who the fuck voted for this guy?" -Merkel

[@hhsbrunner]

I run a trade deficit with my grocery store. Every week I pay them money and instead of giving me money back they give me food. I should stop going to the grocery store, think of how much money I'd save.

[@trollemall7016]

Fulcran they are ripping you off and if you aren't careful you are getting invaded. Over your house will then fly the flag of the Peoples' Grocery Republic of China!

[@richardballstein5132]

Yes, grow the food yourself and you will save a lot of money.

[@Cbey2121]

Fulcran this is a beautiful analogy

[@mistermorrison]

Richard Ballstein You are trolling, aren't you?

[@obakillaking5643]

It only works because I have a trade surpluse with my employer. With whome does the US have a trade surplus big enaugh to pay for the bills? Nobody, because otherwise we wouldn't have a trade deficite.

[@MidnightBreezey]

"It's not just tarriffs that Trump doesn't understand, it's also our trade deficit." And also literally everything else.

[@gfpbaneable]

He understands golf. Lots of studying in the field.

[@whocares269]

@@gfpbaneable disagree. He's studied a lot of women (and girls) too, doesn't know shiy about them 😉

[@alexanderballa6152]

@@whocares269 dont froget the art of the deal

[@leobastian_]

"we all know that Trump doesnt know a Lot of Things, but its good to remember once in a while that He also doesnt know anything"

[@budmeasap]

​@@gfpbaneableHe cheats at golf, btw.

[@mlamarana]

The fact that his supporters never even realize most of the things he does affect them more than anyone they hate is mind boggling🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@richardgalbavy7103]

Red hatter: *lost job due to Trump policy also Red hatter: "oh, that mother**** Hispanic and Chinese people, I need to burn cross on some lawn"

[@sansimeonkoizumi2355]

The ‘aluminum worker Melania’ theory makes perfect sense

[@UltraCasualPenguin]

Aluminium

[@sansimeonkoizumi2355]

Janne Laitinen lmao you right

[@mckennaburns7248]

Janne Laitinen they are actually spelled differently in different countries. US is aluminum, UK aluminium.

[@UltraCasualPenguin]

McKenna Burns Actually... Aluminum is used only in US and Canada while aluminium is preferred spelling everywhere else. It's just consistant with names of other elements in periodic table.

[@MathasarSalazar2]

Somehow... We all knew it to be true...

[@iammrbeat]

I teach high school economics. This may be the most important episode yet. I wish I could show it to my students.

[@CoffeeFresh_]

I'm glad you can't. No need to push your politics on young people.

[@jayfaraday1176]

I think he was talking about the informative side of it, not the political-comedy side.

[@carlosvalencia5535]

I was introduced to john oliver im my first year at college by my sociology teacher when we were going over a chapter on religion. I failed that class lmao but it changed my life

[@RosySpeaks]

Mr. Beat show a part of it as a do now.

[@KidSnivy69]

Who says you can't just show the economic parts?

[@adamgoss3638]

Holy crap. Was that Martin Sheen narrating Navarro's documentary??? Martin "President Bartlett, the president we all wish we had right now instead of Trump" Sheen?!

[@amyl363]

Sounds like Martin Sheen to me.

[@Awfulwriter]

It is. Oh my god it is

[@bryanekers3472]

In fairness, Sheen also played a _bad_ president, "Greg Stillson", in 1983's "The Dead Zone." Stillson is a sociopath who climbs politically using blackmail and, in the main character's psychic vision of the future, is elected president and starts World War III. The main character decides to assassinate Stillson to prevent this, but Stillson grabs a baby to use as a human shield and, though he survives, is politically destroyed in the process. Actors, man.... work is work.

[@scottspencer6899]

Was it Martin sheen? If so that's sad as I loved his Intro for JFK and his narration for apocalypse now.

[@cameronwulff]

The illusive man would never say something so stupid

[@Greg-um7hh]

That thing you're thinking of? He doesn't know that. One of my favorite lines.

[@Lauramahon1987]

I can't wrap my head around the fact that there are people who actually think the Trump administration is doing right by America. It's mind-boggling. The rest of the world aren't even laughing, we're cringing and hoping you guys come out of this ok in the end.

[@Lauramahon1987]

Carolyn Smith I honestly feel for you all right now. If's hard enough watching this happen from another country, I can't imagine having to deal with this as an American citizen.

[@13thxenos]

The USA meddled in so many countries affairs and destroyed many opportunities, that it would have seemed like poetic justice if it weren't for the suffering of the other half of the USA, and the rest of the world. He is ruining the Earth.

[@shaker154]

@@danielvillalobos4265 it wasn't just that. I'm in PA, and know dozens of people who registered to vote just to vote AGAINST Hillary. Seriously if it was any other candidate they would not have voted at all. The problem is that democratic leadership somehow didn't get this. Now we have midterms and people like Rosie Odonnel tweeting support for people in key races without realizing that their support might be enough to send on the fence voters to the other side.

[@SolarLiner]

Remember when he said that before he was president "we" the other countries were laughing at the US and now somehow we aren't because of him?

[@SolarLiner]

Coffee Fresh do you actually get Trump though? Because it seems even his own team has a hard time following him.

[@rei_cirith]

Frankly, Angela Merkel's English is probably better than Trump's.

[@robertnett9793]

that doesn't say much. That rambling crazy person in the subway has a better grasp on English than Trump. And... makes way more sense logic-wise...

[@rei_cirith]

@@robertnett9793 I'm just referring to the fact that John Oliver said Angela Merkel had to fire her translator because he/she must be translating Trump wrong, but Angela probably didn't need a translator to know Trump's just a baffoon.

[@MajorMlgNoob]

@@rei_cirith is just a joke Remember he's a comedian not a journalist

[@sagesheahan6732]

Truth

[@sylvernale]

What do you mean probably? This is guaranteed

[@Mildcat743]

My favorite and arguably most long running gag in this show is John's casual sports jokes that somehow land.

[@aoifecraddock6164]

Anyone else still confused even now as to why John didn’t raise the whole “Martin Sheehan being the narrator for that insane documentary”??

[@spencerbissett3417]

Was here to say the same.

[@KasCalwein]

Fun fact about Trump's rants on German cars flooding the American market: When asked about it, then-German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Sigmar Gabriel, just responded that Americans should "make better cars then".

[@fsaxjack3181]

Wait, there are people actually named Sigmar? Why was I never told this!?

[@sirgroq8258]

@@fsaxjack3181 Hail Sigmar ^.^

[@PitLord777]

@@fsaxjack3181 Sigmar preserve us!

[@KasCalwein]

You seriously suck at logic

[@fayguled900]

nafia morris Making better cars and making better people is not even on the same ball park. Read your sentence again and see if you even had a logical point there. What kind of a statement is "make better people"? what are you a child? Caring about who breds with who is such a loser me mentality. Get laid, son.

[@hugoh7913]

I work for a manufacturing company whose primary material is metal. We have had to increase our costs due to tariffs. A vast majority of our customers are obviously not happy with the increase, so they have been buying products from a manufacturing plant in Mexico. What a brilliant idea!

[@AndrewSmith-vh3gu]

So long as you didn't vote for Trump, I'm sorry to hear that. All this is a damn shame.

[@laustudie]

Just slam tarrifs on mexico manufactured good :) Problem solved.

[@fistmcinson8253]

Geen naam no it does not, it just spreads the problem.

[@gc99289]

Don't worry, Mexico is gonna get slapped with tariffs

[@pelvis_assley]

I think Trump's idea was to stimulate domestic extraction and processing of metals but he forgot to subsidize local industries to put them on competitive cost level with developing countries

[@carguy3910]

Martin Sheen is the narrator of Navarro's documentary.

[@donalee5472]

I love the snip at the end. It says so much. I just fear too many viewers will be lost long before they reach that point and never have it explained quite so clearly. John Oliver has a way with words.

[@mvvpro8688]

I have a trade deficit with my supermarket. I give them money and they only give me my groceries at prices that are very low. So unfair! I am going to put a tariff on them, that I will have to pay. That will teach them!

[@nfzeta128]

PREACH! That supermarket will understand that trade is really a zero sum game, and when they've gone under you can shop in pea... uhh.

[@sdgdhpmbp]

Frankly, I don't like giving money to the counter, since the worker there is a no good n-- Yeah, that's seriously how that fucker thinks. Sorry to kill a good joke thread like this.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

Now imagine that the supermarket managed to find a way to increase the price of the goods you sell for a living, and you end up selling less and stop being able to afford groceries.

[@nateshrager512]

Isn't that situation a trade surplus?

[@werbekball8624]

Nate Shrager no, its a deficit like the US has.

[@pspicer777]

Watching this a year later. Mr. Oliver was so correct.

[@r.scottmacleod4564]

Me too and....he always is...if John was still in Britain they could actually have a real leader! lmao

[@mattjax1330]

Especially bout Dwight Howard lol

[@MajorMlgNoob]

@@r.scottmacleod4564 he's not always right like he says Smirnoff is made with potatoes when it's a grain vodka smh (tho his main points are generally correct and he's hilarious)

[@lughmanwatandust1020]

How can you say that when trump basically forced China into a trade deal

[@lughmanwatandust1020]

He won the trade war

[@cctrio1769]

This has been going on for a year now?! Holy shit.

[@motleymike905]

That aluminum worker story and the Mnuchies in the same show. I forgot how good this episode was

[@ronburgundy244]

The Melania body switch story makes WAY too much sense.

[@spiralentree737]

Ron Burgundy let's be crazy righwinges and make it a conspiracy theory

[@nfzeta128]

The body switch theory is really just a deep state sham to hide the fact that Trump killed her a while back for swatting his hand away. They then proceeded to replace her with a futuristic robot who, seeing the foolishness of the current government, will presumably in the very near future proceed to try to take over the US, then the world.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

Ron Burgundy You would agree to that, wouldn't you, Ron? You handsome devil, you.

[@catherinestickels2591]

No, there's a hole in it. Why would Melania want anything to do with Donald physically? You know she's only in it for the money.

[@bryanskscion2229]

I thought the story would go in a vastly different direction........

[@matts684]

The melania switch story is brilliant

[@budaibalint]

khm. Brillent

[@HeilRay]

Until it became Freaky Friday shit.

[@dx42]

"They switch bodies" lololol.

[@jareksawarski376]

So many years passed by - but this is still so freaking funny 😂 "in Germany who doesn't have a BMW?"

[@alf3654]

This may be one the best pieces that John and his writers have made.

[@TheTonyEntertainment]

agree specially the animation at the end

[@johnnyb5534]

Ugh, his "writers" are just comedians, one of his main writers came from college humor for example. It's disgusting that people take this show seriously. It's a comedy show masquerading as a knowledgeable current events program. They take a subject an average person is uneducated about and reaffirm their preconceived thoughts on the subject, instead of dedicating the countless hours it takes to completely understand a topic enough to come close enough to the truth. This piece sounds correct to you because you have no knowledge about China or trade, neither do his writers. They often take 15 second soundbites and take it out of context to create a narrative you already agree with. This show has done immense damage because it has given average people a sense of truth, when their show is merely a projection of truth based on the sheltered and uninformed perspective of people who tell jokes for a living.

[@mc495150]

i work in the steel sector (in Europe) in a company that sells more than half of their products to the USA. Trust me, we are on the edge of closing taking our USA partners and their customers with us.

[@diptarkadas5193]

@Blellow So, it's a lose-lose situation? Or as Trump might call it "so much winning"

[@diptarkadas5193]

@Michael Mercury Meh, they did a good job. But honestly there is just so much to talk about this topic, it felt like John is running a marathon to cram down whatever they can in 20 mins.

[@170adamb1]

My Dad co ran a business through all my childhood. I remember him giving me a bit of a life lesson by telling me, the only good "deal" was one where both parties walked away happy. To Trump, his whole philosophy is winners and losers. Real high school shit.

[@MijmerMopper]

If for no other reason then that people will be more willing to do another trade when they benifitted last time, and that they will be more able to do buisness again when they profit

[@elirivera3880]

The only good deal is one where both parties walk away a little unhappy (ancient wisdom). Easy to criticize others especially when you don't know what ur talking about, very high school. Step it up son honor thy father. Not that Trump isn't a DB, just tired of people being misinformed and trying to change my world based on that info.

[@170adamb1]

@@elirivera3880 2 parties walking away unhappy, would be the definition of a bad deal to me. Who's the ancient wisdom you refer to?

[@MijmerMopper]

How is it a good deal when both directly involved parties are unhappy with the outcome? That is at best a compromise, Mutual benifit is a real thing youknow.

[@elirivera3880]

Operative word is Little not unhappy you are missing the point (respectfully). @@170adamb1or Americans Henry Clay. I'll give u a practical example: U buy an iPhone X, way tooooo expensive and you know it (so ur a Little unhappy) Apple is not disappointed by the sale at all but all things being equal they rather sell it at a higher price point (so they are a little unhappy). If you paid 100 dollars for the phone you would be very happy but Apple would go bankrupt, if apple charged 2,500 for their phone (they would be very happy) and they would go out of business. At the end this allows for best deal possible at the time assuring that neither party took advantage of the other and/or preventing disaster from soon following. Thanks for the conversation.

[@jessaminehaak8253]

That documentary being narrated by The Illusive Man is at least really on brand.

[@meandthepotatoes4916]

The monologue with the aluminium worker is excellent

[@bryanekers3472]

It kills me every time.

[@angirassharma709]

Trade guy, Liar lady, Nothing boy, Jesus Pleaser, Crime nymph, Drunk grandpa and daughter wife.

[@otakon17]

angiras sharma you forgot Word Ghoul.

[@albevanhanoy]

Sounds like a team of failed supervillains in a spoof superhero movie.

[@barkasz6066]

Worst cast of the Justice League ever.

[@avigutierrez8948]

If the legion of doom were losers and struggling to have identities.

[@tumsfestival8027]

How could people think trump knows what he’s doing on trade? This is the guy who said “Who knew healthcare could be so complicated!?”

[@rayage777]

Cameron Mitchell It's because the media keeps saying that Donald Trump is a businessman. I had to remind my friend who is a business owner that Trump is a horrible business person. Let's say you build buildings and you screw over the people that frame the buildings, screw over the plumbers, screw over the electricians, how long do you think you can continue making buildings. Trump is a very good brander, but that is about it.

[@janemothra]

A lot of people think the apprentice was real.

[@baxterjaye3984]

* " s m a l l l o a n o f a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s " *

[@MacAndy]

Anyone that doesn't think healthcare in this country is complicated is a fucking moron.

[@lorenyoung791]

Cameron Mitchell: "Who knew healthcare could be so complicated?" It still pisses me of that *every hand in the room* didn't go up instantly!

[@SDMac1]

Funniest part about this: "When Trump tweets..." Oh man, has me rolling laughing every time.

[@thejason755]

In a sad way i miss orange man tweeting

[@flaviuscharlestango4098]

Broke my heart to hear Martin Sheen narrate that film clip...

[@Alias_Anybody]

"I have the best people" A guy Jared found on Amazon. I honestly wouldn't even trust a set of batteries Jared found on Amazon.

[@iangoodman2228]

Jared is the definition of a privileged white boy who has had everything handed to him in life.

[@lars9925]

+Ian Goodman Such people are usually good at their jobs, Jared isn't.

[@IkeOkerekeNews]

Alias Anybody You dare not trust the KUSH!!!!!!!!

[@mattbounds]

Hell, I barely trust the sets of batteries **I** find on Amazon...

[@whiskeykilmer1866]

Hahahahahaha, exactly.

[@mr.skippy4898]

So glad this show won an Emmy.

[@warnpassion]

Faldegast That is the most bullshit comment I have read in the entire comment section of this video.

[@Sven-kj2uh]

Faldegast How do you expect these US made products to be affordable, the resources would go up in price and tariffs by other countries would give American products no chance on the global market. It is basically a tax on your own people. Its Ironic how China shipping food to the US is a big problem while subsidized American farmers happily do the same to Central and South America. The US consumes more than it produces, thats why you have a trade deficit.

[@Sven-kj2uh]

My point is That even though tariffs would decrease imports in the US, it would also decrease exports from the US. The tactic that the current administration is trying would only work if other countries wouldn't retaliate. Even worse is the fact that these countries will have to fight the US only in this trade war, while the US will have to fight a lot of big economical powers. Wich means they have a way better chance of finding a different market while the US would suffer the most. Also the difference in tariffs is not as big as portrayed by the Trump administration. There are numerous products where the tariffs in the US are actually higher. On average the EU's tariffs are not that far from the US, and Canada's average is lower than the US so i get see why Trump calls the EU "worse than China on trade" and why he is mentioning Canada at all. Dont get me wrong, i think China is a problem. But this is not the way to solve it.

[@andrewledovski3698]

I have an economics degree, and at no point during your many posts have you shown anything close to a knowledge of economics. Maybe someone who has watched some youtube videos and read a subreddit, but nothing even remotely resembling a substantiated economic discussion has been written here by you. I'm not sure how to even start assessing your point since it all just sounds like a rant by your weird uncle at Thanksgiving. Trade economics is extremely complex, and you are grossly oversimplifying cause and effect in your wild meanderings. If you want this confirmed for you, considering the breadth and complexity of what you are talking about here, I would recommend you read the complete syllabus of a 4-year economics degree, followed by a post-grad lit review of international economics, at which point I would consider you qualified and to have redeemed yourself enough to have an opinion on the matter. I award you 0 points and may God have mercy on your soul.

[@andrewledovski3698]

@ Good for you. Im just saying youre not making any sense, and ive studied economics. If youre saying on the ground experience guides you, good for you. But dont call it economics, its not. Maybe you should be the one dropping some sourcing and evidence, your the one who tried to make all the points

[@omalor]

That Aluminum worker/Melania Trump switcheroo was the BEST THING EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@williamwells434]

"Zero-sum game" is a dangerous word that is rarely ever true

[@Circuitssmith]

“Who doesn’t have a BMW?” My god, he really despises poor people. They don’t even register on his radar.

[@swanky_yuropean7514]

He doesn't hate them, he just considers everyone who makes 100k a year as poor.

[@leporid257]

this really sounds like Marie Antoinette

[@jadenchong9845]

And some of them voted for him

[@HeilRay]

If they dont register, he doesnt hate them. Its...indifference, just like any politician when its not voting season.

[@plainlake]

He loves the poorly educated!

[@WHBJr]

I suggest basic literacy, math, & mental competency tests to anyone wanting to run for public office!

[@Sarius_24]

WHB JR no, no, that would mean every republican and most democrat candidates would have to drop out, and someone actually qualified for the job would become president.

[@ario1076]

That could become like poll tests, essentially a way to block people from the political process. I get where you're coming from, but in practice that would become deplorable.

[@WHBJr]

@@ario1076 I'm talking basic literacy! Basic math!

[@JadedLibs]

No one with those basic skills would be dumb enough to want to pursue a public office.

[@glorialiedtke8931]

May I also suggest a mandatory cours on ethics

[@travis303]

I wonder how long it took and how hard it was for John to forget the way he was brought up and say "aluminum" the American way

[@Dust514rocks]

Prolly wouldn't be that hard, if you moved to a foreign country that had the same native language as you, you would naturally incorporate their lingo and pronunciations simple by being around them all the time and listening to how they speak. Prolly would take a decent awhile to become second hand nature tho, but certainly not especially difficult for any human.

[@Nynzy]

I am glad Howard finally got a Ring with the Lakers, fittingly here in Orlando - spoken by a Magic fan!~

[@nelch]

"Aloominum" The UK is ashamed of you...

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

Just sounds wrong with his accent.

[@kvandermeersch5753]

Belgian here and everybody says "aluminium" here

[@daveogarf]

Nelch Davies - When in Rome, mispronounce like the Romans do.

[@julesnagbunga1204]

And yet Americans say titanium, uranium, helium.....!

[@WizbizMcBrix]

@@daveogarf Both Aluminum and Aluminium are valid pronunciations.

[@chipmunktubetop5097]

We are in a sad state when late night shows expose more ineptitude in our government that actual news.

[@MrJonsonville5]

State run media is a horrible place to go if you want the truth.

[@zestcres]

Your absolutely right

[@contactkeithstack]

*TV news

[@r.scottmacleod4564]

THIS IS THE ACTUAL NEWS NOW!...Greed and profit agenda networks don't tell the truth unless it fits their agendas. It's not so much fake news as it is "steered" news which they spin doctor to fit their profit chances.

[@magicman9218]

This exact comment is on every single video, i bet you feel original

[@clintonwashington8609]

I really wish you guys would do a story on how terrible working for BMW ACTUALLY IS.

[@tobaliciousholland12]

Dwight Howard was actually a pretty big asset to the Lakers this past year before COVID shut down the season. He's accepted his role as an off the bench rim defender and offensive paint presence. It was working out pretty well.

[@Tonyhouse1168]

*was

[@tobaliciousholland12]

@@Tonyhouse1168 He helped them win a championship in the bubble following my comment. He was pivotal in the series against Denver, tiring out Jokic in the paint. I'm not sure what point you're trying to make.

[@DC-ru5xz]

As an economics student, I am terrified at what drumpf is doing

[@aristotle736]

Don't be my young friend. Donald is a lazy guy and I dont think his minions will listen to his insanity .

[@hamluk_]

@Bilal Khalid hillary definitely knows more bout the economy than trump. she's done a lot of schooling. we'd be fine.

[@DS-tv2fi]

Bilal Khalid Trump want’s to reopen your country in the middle of a GLOBAL PANDEMIC!

[@Marahute0]

Do you respect and support the LGBT community? If so, please respect a person's right to choose their own name too. Hate him for whatever you want, insult him if you feel that helps, but let's keep respecting an individual's right to self determination.

[@maximwannabepro3021]

@@Marahute0 ok McFuckly

[@KorKhan89]

Should get another ad aired on Fox starring Catheter Cowboy to really get the message across

[@lunabranwen]

KorKhan89 yep he's just cathin

[@RingoYote]

It didn't work for the Iran deal, why the fuck would it work for this? and yes they actually did buy adspace on xFinity, Spectrum and COX cable lines as well as Dish and DirectTV for the DC/Baltimore area, saw it myself air at around 9am and 11am

[@pizzafacesuperleipoman8634]

I honestly thought that's what he was gonna do but this video is ok too. And Sam Hyena, there's tons of "safe space" people watching fox besides Trump, maybe they will finally realise what an idiot he is.

[@evitasdad]

Every American should see and understand this. Especially his supporters. It should be compulsory.

[@jewelvs7859]

I doubt they'll understand a word of it.

[@garretttedeman]

Oh the finale "info video" is just too perfect! This is 21 min. & 13 sec. of genius.

[@HolyCanoley]

"Everyone knows (Trump) doesn't know a lot of things, but occasionally it is important to remember that he also doesn't know anything."

[@danieldaw1778]

Honestly, this was probably the best part of the clip for me.

[@Nihilianth]

@@danieldaw1778 This episode, alone, is worth an emmy. That line was fantastic. But the last two minutes of the clips had me giggling nonstop.

[@antonbrakhage490]

Trump is (willfully) ignorant about a great many things. However, people sometimes make the mistake of assuming that everything he does is just stupidity and ignorance. It isn't. He has a plan, and it ends with him as dictator of a white supremacist America. Donald Trump has one true skill- as a con man. He's good at playing the media and the political system for personal gain. Never forget that, and never underestimate the threat he represents.

[@KalibreSteelblast]

*"Everyone knows he doesn't know alot of things. But occasionally it's important to remember that he **_also_** doesn't know anything."*

[@thorr18BEM]

12:00 The fundamental truth of this entire presidency.

[@davidhollenshead4892]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6XOlWhtobWZhrc The fundamental solution of Führer Trump's entire presidency. [I'll even supply the chainsaw, but will need to make sure the chain is very dull first, for Trump the Traitor.]

[@brianthomas2434]

Just got to the aluminum worker/ Melania bit. Words fail me!

[@alejandrowarrez7445]

Holy shit this aged well.

[@RansomeStoddard]

I think the little video at the end was too subtle for Trump to understand. What about colorful flash cards?

[@DanYHKim2]

I think it needs scratch-and-sniff. Oh, and more boobs.

[@miho022883]

I think it's time for someone to saddle up and ride again

[@MrClickity]

The biggest problem with Trump's approach to trade is that he's stuck in the zero sum game mentality. It's how he's approached his business dealings (and seemingly his whole life): every encounter, every deal has a winner and a loser. But that's not how trade is supposed to work. When you go to the store and buy something, do you always assume that either you're screwing the store over or it's screwing you over? No. As long as the sale was made in good faith and neither side pulled any dishonest shenanigans, you got something you needed/wanted and the store got some money. Everybody wins.

[@ThomasFoolery8]

MrClickity in that case it doesn’t matter. China should let Trump think he won and win smaller on the side. I don’t get this argument. Trump wants more. Whether you call it zero sum or not doesn’t matter. Fold and give him concessions. What’s the problem here?

[@PictureMaker22]

MrClickity We weren’t winning at all before Trump came into office.

[@isaacromo869]

@@PictureMaker22 I was and am and will after

[@isaacromo869]

@@ThomasFoolery8 that would be nice but he's doing it to everyone Canada has a trade deficit with US, the US should trade more with canada

[@tasnimanika8123]

David Gordon and we certainly aren’t winning now. 🙄

[@teddyterminal]

oh my god at 19:58 when all the knives stab the book there's a spoon that flies across the screen I JUST NOTICED IT AND NOW I CANT STOP LAUGHING HAHAHAHAHA

[@Thenoobestgirl]

I'm 2 years late for this but this might be the funniest episode you've ever done, John. 👏😂 I legit started tearing up at the Melania/steel worker guy theory lmao!

[@Patym14]

John Oliver's team please do one on plastics and ocean pollution! It's so important

[@PaulZink]

I think they already may have, or a related issue, if memory serves.

[@dertythegrower]

It is a huge issue, along with carbon overuse, plus chemical or fertilizer dumping into the oceans causing toxic algae mats for many acres of ocean. We need to stop those very fast.

[@User-vz4xm]

Upvote!! China is bumping tons of garbage into the ocean everyday. Can someone bring attention to this pressing issue!!

[@sandracocox5069]

YES PLS

[@Floridapirate1]

EPA role-backs on methane releases... methane is 25 time more efficient at trapping global heat then co2

[@hsojspillihp]

I live in Spartanburg a few miles from BMW... people here are flipping out... just in case you were wondering.

[@onursahin356]

Like how ?

[@TheMrEgils]

Enlighten us, please.

[@jacobbaltazar4351]

Wow and Honestly I hope Trump sees in the books how he is the worst president

[@HeilRay]

Go on...

[@PoloLoiTamin]

how??

[@recklezzzhyena7877]

How are we ignoring the fact that Martin Sheen is the Narrator for Death by China

[@kiaraprabhu7080]

I was looking for this comment, wtf was that about??

[@teresamendoza1194]

Just love watching John Oliver...so hilarious and awesome!!👏👏😎

[@lordvoldemort8904]

That melania switch story was amazing.

[@ACc-dd5bf]

I consider that story as cannon now

[@davidbanner7804]

It makes so much sense

[@timothyscanlon5156]

Brilliant!

[@marienchatfield4871]

A Cc VN. .

[@slamminsammy941]

Good comment but dumbledore is the better wizard !!

[@Ganon1998LP]

Man I was hoping for the catheter cowboy in the end

[@nathfrancois5507]

I think he was killed in a gas-leak induced explosion some episodes ago. The one about the Iran nuclear deal and right-wing stupid fearmongering about that.

[@yaboyjay7202]

THIS! I wanted him to explain trade to trump with colored cue cards xD

[@avigutierrez8948]

God I too wanted that cowboy to come out and say something.

[@DannyRobalino]

hahahahaha me too....

[@Inamichan]

Aw man that would’ve been great 😭

[@BeMedium]

God, I love you John! 😂. Truthful and funny!

[@count23all]

I can't believe Jed Bartlett is narrating that Death by China movie, holy crap...

[@elvinmacospag6989]

Well, he wasn't kidding. He's running the US like one of his businesses.

[@elvinmacospag6989]

The country's in debt, the government's a laughing stock, all of its allies are cutting ties, and democracy is under threat from an orange. Yes, that is *truly* an improvement.

[@JoshisJoshisJosh]

Lol how.... In any way... Is any of this better than the last 8 years? Politics, not opinion based - please share with the class

[@alexcarrara8140]

Nuclear future is a troll, you can see in every comment section spewing obvious provocations. Don't feed him.

[@MyStalkersArePostingMe]

And filed bankruptcy 6 times too💀sooo anyone that voted for him and thinks he will save the USA..needs to be taken out back and treated like a 🐎 with no use😭😭

[@OPGaming-hx4hb]

DiamondTraquel He failed like 17 times was successful 500 yeah if any worse you have is like that don’t shoot it cash in that shit

[@danielclark-hughes692]

"But no, Melania! Go to him!" At this point I lost control

[@gallegoc6005]

Melania change bodies with the worker, that is why the worker wants to hug trump while melania in the white house doesn't touch him

[@davethompson3326]

She has to go bathe in bleach every time she does@@gallegoc6005

[@Xtoff]

Stop being 12 XD lol. I can't even. So good. ^THIS. 👏😂👏

[@rossburns2905]

As someone from Spartanburg, it made me so proud to be mentioned in this.

[@chipskylark5500]

Damn, I just got the wordplay behind "a case of the mNUchies", years after I've seen this for the first time. This is truly the peak of TV

[@blkhlemusic3460]

Damn, I was expecting Catheter Cowboy to explain it 😂

[@monicawilliams7844]

BLKHLE Music that’s what I was thinking too! 😃

[@JethroSneebs]

I hope he isn't incapacitated from pain when he caths.

[@kanalkucker14]

Yes, he is the hero we need right now!

[@LordAmerican]

We can always hope he Indiana Jones'd it and somehow managed to run away just before the blast got him or hid in the fridge that somehow protected him.

[@thetrustysidekick3013]

Trade was his thing? I thought it was fraud. Oh well.

[@Dorian_sapiens]

That's what he meant. It's really easy to mix up those two words.

[@ereewrwdawwe]

The Trusty Sidekick Nah his thing is bacrupcy, considering how many times he is gone through it, and now he is doing it to a whole country, more precisely the strongest economy in the world.

[@frostrose4755]

This just made my morning even better!!!!!

[@samuellueth9012]

John Oliver is the King of genius.

[@codelicious6590]

Aluminum worker bit was frickin genius!!

[@CitanulsPumpkin]

You gotta imagine that around the 5th time Merkel said trade with the EU she turned to her translator and the translator said "yeah this guy just isn't getting it."

[@nathanielclaw2841]

Merkel: Fritz, WTF!? Fritz: i swear its not my fault! But imagine they are speaking It in german

[@catherineevelyn6540]

I'd watch a movie about Melania and the aluminium worker.

[@1prozzak6616]

John should have recurring segments of this, lol.

[@dougkeyes4406]

What is aluminium

[@thegrayyernaut]

@@dougkeyes4406 A metal, short as Al in Chemistry.

[@seblorkhan2618]

John needs to keep his fanfiction under wraps

[@AWMJoeyjoejoe]

@@dougkeyes4406 It's the proper name for what you call "Aluminum"

[@BijanIzadi]

“Electric scooters are basically like if Dane Cook became transportation” lmaoooo why does that sound so true

[@blakemiliano4176]

Re watching this and it still got me so hard.

[@ananda9133]

Fuck it, I'm using this for my China trade war essay. It's a lot more understandable than a lot of the other stuff I'm reading.

[@yazhini5652]

John complimenting Steve Mnuchin’s appearance because they look alike is the best thing ever

[@noypho91]

Yazhini omg. I was so confused why he would said such thing 😅👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@blackheartzerotheundergrou3225]

Oh, I see what's going on, John... when the Olsen Twin makes a fake sister by flash-stepping, she's a dangerous monster misleading the world, and you will _not rest_ until her deception is exposed... But when *_YOU_* do _the exact same thing_ to create Steve Mnuchin, *_you're_* what we get _if Mother Theresa Fucked Jesus...!!_ _Piece of shit rat-faced Hypocrite..._

[@Salchipapafied]

That aluminum worker/Melania swap story, lmfao.

[@harambeegardens8705]

Jonathan Hopfenblatt 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😅

[@nickmorgan1690]

Featuring a voice over by Martin Sheen, President Bartlet himself

[@friederikekopke685]

Years later and I'm still crying about the story with the aluminium worker

[@c4ss4e4d]

“Fun” fact about Peter Navarro, he was my professor at UC Irvine, where he ‘teaches’ an online class based on his KZbin series of videos that is supposed to be about economics and trade with China. I had no clue about who he was or any of his books going in, I only knew it was a course that satisfied my management minor. But instead he made us memorize the amount of Chinese aircraft carries, the amount of potential mines in the water between China and Taiwan, how China might launch missiles at the US etc. There was NOTHING about trade policies at all, and yes he made us write an essay that basically had his zero sum game in mind, and discuss how American Fortune 500 companies with setups in China would be forced to move back to the US at some point. My essay basically proved him wrong, and I got a passing grade, and no comments. We also had weekly ‘blog posts’ where we would have to write about something that related to the class, which meant a lot of people got poor marks when they cited the benefits of US-China trade. That’s mostly because a lot of the students in the class were Chinese international students who were also confused by the objective of the course, and didn’t understand how completely tone deaf he seemed to be. Anything that went against him he COMPLETELY ignored and pretended wasn’t handed in. My friend even ended up failing the course despite doing more than enough work and handing in all their work on time, purely because they criticized the contents of the course. He has tenure and emeritus status, so he’s basically impossible to get rid of, and I’m assuming he’ll come prancing back on his high horse to keep on doing his propaganda course as soon as trump is out. Hopefully he loses his status, funding, or right to teach a class, but who knows...

[@roccoh.892]

c4ss4e4d Well, you obviously missed the point of the class, that China is an authoritarian threat to the West and its liberal principles.

[@doyleharken3477]

I'd suggest students get together to organize demonstrations and press for the firing of this utter charlatan, but I fear the rightwing cavemen would cry "SJW safe space" all day long.

[@rewer]

c4ss4e4d, basically he’s a xenophobia who afraid of every foreigners especially china. Did he realize it was russia who manipulate usa election? Yes, china stole intellectual properties, but no where as evil as an politic manipulator.

[@roccoh.892]

You won’t succeed in turning this into a partisan issue. Across the political spectrum, from Schumer and Bernie to Rubio and Trump, all recognise China as the threat it is.

[@roccoh.892]

I can say with certainty, rewer, that I don’t hate Chinese. I am half Chinese myself, and I’m actually in Asia visiting relatives. Oh, and Australia and New Zealand? Heard of them? Yeah, more successful than Russia. China views Russia as the bumbling idiot, to distract from its own efforts.

[@GHZoner]

"Who doesn't have a BMW?" Once again, the orange cricket firmly establishes how disconnected he is from the majority of the American public.

[@jeremiegrund]

I laughed out loud at "the orange cricket". Well done!

[@whitemax8]

To be _slighty_ fair, most of the richest people in America are completely ignorant as to what the rest of America goes through. Not *really* the richest people's fault, but still, yes... how aggravating

[@JSuper7]

"Who doesnt own (or at some point survived in) a honda civic or toyota (Corolla or Camry) held together by ductape because those engines don't die but the cities we live in beat the crap out of the bodies of cars."

[@MeganKoumori]

I don't even have a car.

[@r.m8146]

I have to disagree here, he seems to be very well connected with his insane followers.

[@gaylesankey402]

That ending was spectacular!

[@thepolishastronaut7940]

I never thought I would be able to reinforce my arguments against Trump with John Oliver quotes

[@JakeLX]

The Melania story was amazing.

[@youisstupid2586]

Stu i agree stu!

[@renatocorvaro6924]

Donald Trump is proof that, as long as you are born with enough money, you can live a long life of never knowing how money works at all, and still have all the money.

[@mistere5857]

If that's your world view, then I feel very sad for you.

[@MostlyPennyCat]

@@mistere5857 Why? It's demonstrably true. He knows nothing about economics, yet he was born with all the money.

[@mistere5857]

@@MostlyPennyCat Money and economics are related the same as brain chemistry is to psychology. Plenty of rich people don't understand economics and plenty of people who understand economics aren't rich.

[@mistere5857]

@Julie W. nothing you said was an argument.

[@mistere5857]

@Julie W. I appreciate your civility but I have no idea what you are talking about. The field of economics is generally divided into micro and macro. "Personal economics" is not a thing. Personal finance which is a branch of accounting (aka the nature of money) is loosely related to economics, but they are distinctly different fields.

[@jaohonaxa]

This was one of his best bits and I was grateful that he cleared it up.

[@zestcres]

Incredible episode!!!