Category Blogger C0nservative Tree House

Aug 1 2025

President Trump Announces 50 Percent Copper Tariff and Restart of de Minimis Tariffs


Posted originally on CTH on July 31, 2025 | Sundance

In a series of announcements, the Trump administration has retriggered the suspension of the de minimis exemption which will begin tariffs on imported small shipment foreign goods globally and from Canada, Mexico, China and Hong Kong specifically.  {SEE HERE}

The suspension of the de minimis exemption means direct to consumer product shipments valued under $800 will again be subject to tariffs.

Additionally, President Trump has triggered a 50% tariff on imported copper except for those nations who have a free trade agreement in place for their copper component goods.  {SEE HERE}

WHITE HOUSE – STRENGTHENING AMERICA’S COPPER INDUSTRY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to address the effects of copper imports on America’s national security, including by imposing tariffs on several categories of copper imports.

  • The Proclamation imposes universal 50% tariffs on imports of semi-finished copper products (such as copper pipes, wires, rods, sheets, and tubes) and copper-intensive derivative products (such as pipe fittings, cables, connectors, and electrical components), effective August 1.
  • The copper 232 tariffs apply to the copper content of a product; non-copper content of a product remains subject to reciprocal tariffs or other applicable duties. These tariffs do not stack.
  • The copper 232 tariffs do not stack with auto 232 tariffs. If a product is subject to auto 232 tariffs, then the auto 232 tariffs apply, not the copper 232 tariffs.
    • Copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) and copper scrap are not subject to 232 or reciprocal tariffs.
  • The Proclamation directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a product “inclusion” process to add copper derivative products to these tariffs.
  • The President is also authorizing the Secretary of Commerce to take steps under the Defense Production Act to support the domestic copper industry, including:
    • Requiring 25% of high-quality copper scrap produced in the United States to be sold in the United States. This will improve access to this important feedstock for domestic fabricators and secondary refiners.
      • Commerce also recommended an export licensing requirement for high-quality copper scrap to ensure adequate domestic supply.
    • Requiring 25% of copper input materials (such as copper ores, concentrates, mattes, cathodes, and anodes) produced in the United States to be sold in the United States – starting at 25% in 2027, increasing to 30% in 2028 and 40% in 2029. This will boost U.S. refining capacity by ensuring low-cost inputs while domestic refiners grow their operations.
  • By taking these actions, President Trump is leveling the playing field for U.S. copper businesses to support a strong domestic copper industry.

ADDRESSING THE EFFECTS OF COPPER IMPORTS: The Proclamation follows the Secretary of Commerce’s completion of a Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended.

  • President Trump directed the initiation of the Section 232 investigation through Executive Order 14220 of February 25, 2025, “Addressing the Threat to National Security from Imports of Copper.” The investigation found that:
    • Copper is essential to the manufacturing foundation on which U.S. national and economic security depend. Copper is a necessary input in a range of defense systems, including aircraft, ground vehicles, ships, submarines, missiles, and ammunition. It is the Department of Defense’s second-most used material, and it plays a central role in the broader U.S. industrial base.
    • Foreign competitors’ predatory practices and excessive environmental regulations have undercut the American copper industry and domestic investment in smelting, refining, and fabrication facilities.
    • The U.S. now has a massive trade deficit in, and an unsustainable dependence on, many foreign copper products.

REVITALIZING DOMESTIC INDUSTRY AND REDUCING TRADE IMBALANCES: This Proclamation builds on previous actions taken by the Trump Administration to ensure U.S. trade and industrial policies serve the national interest.

  • On Day One, President Trump established his America First Trade Policy to make America’s economy great again.
  • President Trump signed Proclamations to close existing loopholes and exemptions and elevate tariffs on steel and aluminum to 50%.
  • President Trump implemented a 10% additional tariff on imports from China in response to China’s role in the border crisis.
  • President Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs to take back America’s economic sovereignty and address nonreciprocal trade relationships that threaten our economic and national security.
  • President Trump has issued several Executive Orders and Presidential Memoranda to boost mining, manufacturing, and investment in domestic industry, including by reducing regulations and eliminating bureaucracy.
  • President Trump signed a Memorandum to safeguard American innovation, including the consideration of tariffs to combat digital service taxes, fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American companies.
  • President Trump has initiated several other Section 232 investigations in addition to the one on which he is taking action today.
Jul 31 2025

FBI Leadership Found Classified Durham Annex Inside Burn Bags in Secret Room at FBI HQ


This is more than slightly interesting.

According to a Fox News release, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino found multiple files related to the FBI activity in the Trump-Russia collusion hoax, which included the classified annex to the John Durham investigation, inside burn bags in a secret room at the FBI building in Washington, DC.

The discovered Durham annex is now being declassified by the CIA and others and transferred to Senator Chuck Grassley’s staff who will release it to the public momentarily.  WATCH the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) response to these revelations, Chairman Tom Cotton, the guardian of the Intelligence Community, will likely demand special counsels be triggered in order to create the “ongoing investigation” defensive shield needed for his benefactors.

That’s how the silo system in DC rolls.

DC EXCLUSIVE: FBI Director Kash Patel found a trove of sensitive documents related to the origins of the Trump–Russia probe buried in multiple “burn bags” in a secret room inside the bureau, sources told Fox News Digital.

Sources told Fox News Digital that the “burn bag” system is used to destroy documents designated as classified or higher.
Sources told Fox News Digital that multiple burn bags were found and filled with thousands of documents.

Sources told Fox News Digital that one of the documents FBI officials found in a burn bag was the classified annex to former special counsel John Durham’s final report, which includes the underlying intelligence he reviewed.

The declassification of the classified annex is being done in close coordination between CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi and acting National Security Agency Director William Hartman. (read more)

There is a lot of interest in the “credible foreign source” who told the CIA about the FBI operation to work closely with Hillary Clinton to exonerate herself and frame candidate Donald Trump.

Undead FOIA had a research report in March of this year that might answer the question.

~ READ UNDEAD FOIA HERE ~

[…] On August 3, 2016, then CIA Director John Brennan briefed President Obama, then Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Loretta Lynch, FBI Director James Comey and other senior officials on highly classified memorandums authored by Dutch intelligence with details of Clinton’s alleged plans.

The next day, Brennan called Alexander Bortnikov, the head of Russia’s FSB intelligence network. Brennan would tell members of the House Intelligence Committee in 2017 that he called Bortnikov to warn Russia to stop interfering in America’s elections.

That call apparently led to an immediate shift in Cozy Bear, cutting off the Dutch’s access and compromised friendly assets working for Western Intelligence. The call also had the effect of stopping additional memorandums that would have shed light on Clinton’s plans. (MORE)

It looks like Brennan called Russian FSB in order to compromise the Dutch source and stop the information from coming.

July 30, 2025 | Sundance

Jul 31 2025

President Trump Recaps Excellent Economic News and Holds a ‘Making Health Technology Great’ Event


Posted originally on CTH on July 30, 2025 | Sundance

President Trump recaps the latest strong economic numbers and launches the CMS Digital Health Tech Ecosystem during an event at the White House today.  WATCH:

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Jul 31 2025

Jerome Powell and Board of Governors Keep Interest Rates Unchanged – FED GOAL, to Create a Debt Spiral


Posted originally on CTH on July 30, 2025 | Sundance 

Now you will see why I said to watch this interview without distractions.

FED Chairman Jerome Powell announced today the FED Board of Governors is keeping the interest rate at 4.25 to 4.5 percent.   The Central Bank of the United States is trying to create an unsustainable debt spiral.

The goal of the FED (Central Bank) is to create a debt spiral that leads to a crisis.  This is the way the Central Bank controls the activity of the smaller banks.  This is the way the Central Bank keeps control over the people in America.  WATCH:

Don’t pretend. Stop being a battered victim to an abusive relationship with government.

President Trump is pumping money into the USA economy through economic growth, tariff revenue, federal govt downsizing, expanded private sector employment and wage growth.

The Central Bankers are trying to drain money from the USA economy through monetary policy and control over the behavior of the smaller regional banks and credit unions.

♦ FED. The Central Bank controls interest rates.

♦ FED. The Central Bank (FED) does not control inflation.

♦ BIG BANKS. The credit creation by institutional banks, the creation of money, does create inflation.

♦ BIG BANKS. Money created by institutional banks does not come from the FED.

♦ BIG BANKS. Money created by institutional banks, via credit creation for asset purchases, creates inflation.

♦ BIG BANKS. Money created by institutional banks via credit creation for consumer spending (loans and credit cards), creates inflation.

♦ TRUMP. Money created by regional banks via credit creation for Main Street development, expands GDP, creates revenue and does not create inflation.  Additionally, money created by tariff incomes and money delivered by foreign entities to the U.S. treasury for tariff offset purchases, do not create inflation.

THE BATTLE

The FED, representing the USA Central Bank and the interests of the BIG BANKS, are trying to create a massive debt spiral by keeping the interest rates high and making service on the debt unsustainable.

President Trump, representing Main Street USA, is fighting against the interests of the BIG BANKS, and trying to create revenue to avoid the debt spiral the FED is trying to create.

That’s the non-pretending reality of the situation.

Why does the FED (Central Bank) want to create a debt spiral?  Because they want control over the economic activity, which includes the destruction of the smaller regional banks and credit unions who are funding the Main Street economy.

The Cental Bank want’s full control.

What the U.S. Marshalls are to the Judicial Branch; the FBI is to the DC system, and the CIA are to the bankers.

Jul 31 2025

2nd Quarter GDP Jumps “Better than Expected” 3.0% Growth


Posted originally on CTH on July 30, 2025 | Sundance

Too funny.  The economic pretending is so strong almost every outlet leads the Gross Domestic Product news release by saying “better than expected.”  Duh!   The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases the GDP date for the second quarter (Q2) and shows a 3.0% jump in economic growth.

We say “duh”, because it was an entirely predictable result.  Why, because imports are a deduction to the GDP equation and imports dropped 30.3% in the second quarter (Table 1, line 19).   We said this was going to happen because there was a surge of imported goods in the first quarter as companies tried to be proactive with orders in advance of tariffs.

That massive influx of imports made the Q1 GDP weak (-0.5%).  Conversely, with all those goods delivered in the first quarter, the products were not imported in Q2 and the GDP rebounded.  The lack of imports, ultimately the lack of deduction, resulted in a 5.18% positive change to the second quarter GDP (Table 2, line 47).

[Source, Table 2, Line 47]

But wait, the winning doesn’t stop there.  Remember, the Big Beautiful Bill just passed in July. That means fixed asset investment is likely to expand in Q3 because 100% expensing on capital investment was part of the BBB.

But wait, there’s more.  Annual wages spiked 4.4% — double the rate of inflation (2.1%).   That means people are growing their wage incomes twice as fast as prices are rising.  Real wage growth is back again!  Yes, REAL WAGE GROWTH.

WASHINGTON – Recession? What recession? The US economy bucked nonstop doom-and-gloom by economists — including some at Wall Street’s biggest banks — and reported stronger-than-expected growth in the second quarter, marked by a surge in hiring and wages.

Gross domestic product – the value of all goods and services produced across the US economy – jumped by a seasonally and inflation adjusted 3% in the second quarter, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

That rebounded from a 0.5% decline in the first quarter and beat estimates of just 2.3% growth. A recession is usually defined by the GDP slipping in two consecutive quarters.

Meanwhile, private employers added 104,000 jobs last month, according to the ADP National Employment Report released Wednesday. That reversed a 23,000 drop in June and exceeded the forecast for an increase of 64,000.

Annual wages spiked 4.4% — well above the rate of inflation, which has remained below 3% despite harping that President Trump’s tariffs would jack up prices.

“Our hiring and pay data are broadly indicative of a healthy economy,” Nela Richardson, ADP’s chief economist, said.

“Employers have grown more optimistic that consumers, the backbone of the economy, will remain resilient.” (more)

Jul 30 2025

Must Watch – Tucker Carlson Interviews Richard Werner


Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance

This is one of those interviews that simply must be watched in its entirety. It’s long, almost 3 hours, but take the quiet time to watch and absorb the information provided by economist Professor Richard Werner.

Werner discusses something absolutely vital to understand about the nature of economics and the banking system that underpins it. You have often heard me say “there are trillions at stake” when describing the elements aligned against President Trump. Well, Werner gives context to what lies behind those trillions.

Nine years ago, as President Elect Trump won his first election, I wrote about the future of economics and the potential if a Main Street monetary and banking system was created. {GO DEEP} Richard Werner discusses the specific issue of how credit creation by regular banks actually creates money. He’s the first person I have seen speak who really gets it.

There are distinct differences between banks creating money for asset purchases (inflation), consumer purchases (inflation) and GDP growth (Main Street expansion). He simply nails it, and that is why he was put on the CIA radar.

When Werner speaks of the need for two distinct banking systems as a solution to the “inflationary” impact of money created for asset purchases vs GDP growth, he is specifically highlighting the difference between Wall Street money and Main Street money. This, in the largest measure, is exactly why President Trump and Secretary Mnuchin created the dual banking system.  This is what led to the global pandemic as a tool to stop President Trump.

I cannot recommend this interview enough. However, don’t sell yourself short. Find a quiet place, quiet time, and take notes as you listen to Richard Werner outline the true and unspoken nature of how money is created.

When you understand what Werner is saying, everything the FED and Central Banks do starts to make sense. WATCH:

Behind what Werner is explaining you will find the motives to oppose President Trump.  Werner doesn’t draw the connection to Trump’s policies, but when you hear him outline the history and the problem you will get it.

Jul 30 2025

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and USTR Jamieson Greer Discuss Trade Negotiations With China


Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer hold a joint press conference in Stockholm after concluding the third-round of trade talks with Chinese officials.

The discussion and press availability covered U.S-China trade negotiations, economic cooperation and whether President Trump will meet Xi Jinping. Key moments include questions on tariffs, supply chains, and Beijing diplomacy. WATCH:

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Treasury Secretary Bessent notes as the U.S. economy continues strengthening, and as each trade deal with the U.K, Japan, ASEAN nations and Europe have cemented, the talks between the U.S. and China become more substantive.

With each global trade partner agreeing to terms of access to the USA market more pressure is naturally created on China to complete negotiations and affirm their position as supplier to the world’s largest market.

Jul 30 2025

President Trump Extensive Interview with Miranda Devine from Scotland


Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance

Following the breaking news of the U.S-EU trade deal with Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, President Trump sits down for an extensive interview with Miranda Devine.

President Trump talks about the trade agreement with the EU in addition to overall perspectives on trade, tariffs and the goals of the America-first economy.  Additionally, President Trump talks about immigration challenges, current events and the intelligence documents declassified by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. WATCH:

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Jul 30 2025

President Trump Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One – Returning to USA


Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance 

President Trump holds a press conference aboard Air Force One en route back to the White House.  Currently the press comments are audio only, but will likely have video upon arrival.

President Trump begins his remarks talking about a threat delivered by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to the state of Israel where the U.K is threatening to recognize a Palestinian state if Israel doesn’t stop the bombing in Gaza and deliver aid to the impacted citizens.   LISTEN:

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Jul 30 2025

Zelenskyy on Ropes – Ukranian Regime Grabs More Authoritarian Power Then Backtracks When Protests Erupt


Posted originally on CTH on July 29, 2025 | Sundance

The terms Ukraine and government corruption are synonymous regardless of who is funding the schemes.  After Volodymyr Zelenskyy grabbed more power by stripping two key anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP), of their independence, protests erupted.

European leaders immediately noticed the intent of the power move and threatened Zelenskyy with a withdrawal of support. The current dictatorship of Zelensky and his small team then quickly reversed course.  However, the damage is done, and once again Ukranian corruption is center stage.

It doesn’t matter how much western intelligence agencies and pro-Ukraine western govt officials try to hide the nature of the duck represented by Zelenskyy by calling him a swan, eventually the quacking returns – the mask drops.

UKRAINE – […] Some also cautioned that the agitation could spark a popular uprising like the one that toppled then-President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. “We are now in the face of the most dangerous development in all the years since Maidan,” wrote Sevgil Musayeva, editor-in-chief of the Ukrainska Pravda newspaper. And like others, she hazarded that Zelenskyy’s powerful Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak was behind the move, amid signs that NABU is preparing cases against presidential insiders.

Eventually, with public uproar mounting, Ukraine’s president bowed to the pressure and agreed to restore the independence of the agencies — a new law turning back the clock is meant to be voted on Thursday.

Among the insiders currently under investigation are former Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Chernyshov and former Deputy Head of the Office of the President Rostyslav Shurma. Shurma was dismissed last year, after it emerged his brother was receiving green subsidies from the Ukrainian government for solar plants operating in Russian-occupied Donbas. Coincidentally, Shurma’s Munich home was raided by NABU investigators and German police in mid-July.

“It is critical not to lose the unity. To listen to people, to have dialogue, and so on,” Zelenskyy told reporters at a press briefing on Friday, explaining his about-face and consequent decision to restore the independence of the agencies in question.

QUACK!

[…] some civil society leaders think targeting the agencies is a sign that Zelenskyy and his clan-like group of aides are starting to panic about his poor polling numbers. As it stands, his chances of winning the next election, when it is eventually held, appear remote, with former armed forces commander General Valery Zaluzhny, who Zelenskyy fired after clashing over war strategy, seen as most likely to get elected.

[…] The street protests in Ukraine have put Zelenskyy on notice, and they’re an indication that patience is wearing thin. (read more)

Everywhere you travel in Europe the one constant amid the ordinary working-class is their knowledge that Ukraine is a bastion of political corruption. The summer coastline of Europe is full of Ukrainian govt officials and very wealthy Ukranian businessmen spending money, a lot of money, that everyone knows is coming from USA and European subsidy.

Visible Ukraine corruption is a joke amid those who cannot afford pretending and those in the service industries in the vacation resorts all along the European coast.

Making it all worse, is the in-your-face aspect of it very visible from the Ukrainians staying in luxury hotels, villas and opulent residences while sneering through their designer sunglasses. “Meh, or she, is Ukrainian,” is the simple response to the rudeness when noted.

There may be no love for Vladimir Putin within the muscle memory of some older populations within some former Soviet states.  However, amid the working-class and the portion of the younger generation self-inoculated from western propaganda, opinion of Zelenskyy is even lower.

Eastern European support for the Zelenskyy regime is akin to U.S. support during the Biden regime. The pretending exists in media and government officials’ proclamations only.

Don’t kid yourself, the politicians know it.