I need some help here. The Trump presidency and the “America only” future he’s hawking to the public like the world’s most arrogant snake-oil salesman feels beyond my ability to address right now, even though I consider doing so my life’s work.

But sometimes the news of the day simply feels too absurd, too strange, to seriously address, like Trump’s comment the other day as he sat next to Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House: “You know how I feel about the Gaza Strip. I think it’s an incredible piece of important real estate.”

Many Americans will be relieved to learn that US Embassy employees and their families in China can no longer have “romantic or sexual relations” with local Chinese. It is certainly a move long past due which will keep us safer together with those 125% tariffs that we will be hitting the Chinks with. But beyond that good news, it has been another interesting week in the fantasy world created and sustained by President Donald J Trump. This week included a not-so-surprise visit by the Chosen Lord of the Universe Benjamin Netanyahu, ruler of a pathetic little country called Israel, which is growing bigger as, with American support, it absorbs all of its neighbors one at a time.

Trump Tariffs

It's becoming increasingly clear that the new Trump tariffs will significantly impact the solar industry, adding additional tariffs on top of the already 50 percent level that are assessed against many of the leading solar panel exporting countries.

Preliminary calculations by solar.com anticipate a net 10 cents per watt average increase to the cost of solar hardware. There's currently a significant inventory of solar panels that have been warehoused in anticipation of these tariffs, so the impact on the industry may not be immediately felt. 

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, there's currently about 50 gigawatts of solar panel manufacturing capacity here in the US, which is theoretically enough to meet domestic demand for solar panels.

However, the subcomponents of those panels, such as the silicon and the metal for the framing, will be subject to the Trump tariffs.

Thursday, April 10, 6pm
Enarson Classroom Building [Rm. 306], 2009 Millikin Rd., and online at corsrev.org/meeting

Given the domination of social media by right-wing billionaires, the reactionary drift in American politics is even more pronounced there than in other venues.

It’s time to get serious about organizing our side today!

Join us tomorrow at 6pm for a presentation and discussion on this question and more! Join us in person at Enarson Classroom Building, Rm. 306 on OSU campus, or online at corsrev.org/meeting.

Hosted by Central Ohio Revolutionary Socialists.