Howard, let’s walk you through why this post is complete fantasy, and why it’s not a “historic day” for U.S. trade, but a tax hike on American consumers dressed up as a victory. 1. The European market was already open to the U.S. This “unlocking” narrative is total BS. The EU has long been one of our largest trading partners, and the market has been open to U.S. goods for decades, especially industrial equipment, pharmaceuticals, energy, and aerospace. The real reason Europeans don’t buy American cars isn’t because of closed markets. It’s because: •Our cars often don’t meet EU safety and emissions standards •They’re too large, too gas-guzzling, or not suited for European infrastructure •And simply put, they don’t want them. They prefer more efficient, locally made vehicles. This has nothing to do with tariffs, and everything to do with consumer preference. 2. The 15% tariff is a tax on us, not them Tariffs are not paid by foreign countries, they’re paid by U.S. importers who then pass the cost on to American consumers. So when Trump imposes a 15% blanket tariff on European goods, you’re the one paying more for wine, cheese, machinery, clothing, electronics, and thousands of other products. This is a 15% tax on Americans, not a win. It’s inflation disguised as nationalism. 3. The promises of $750B in energy purchases and $600B in investment? Pure fiction. Where’s the contract? Where’s the legally binding agreement? This sounds exactly like the empty promises from the convicted felon’s first term, remember when he claimed: •Foxconn would build a $10B plant in Wisconsin? Never happened. •Saudi Arabia would invest $400B in U.S. infrastructure? Didn’t happen. •China would buy $200B in U.S. goods under the Phase One deal? They never came close. These are PR talking points, not policy. There’s no evidence the EU agreed to any of this. No treaty. No legislation. Just another press release with a big number and zero delivery, like a Trump “university.” The EU market was already open. Americans are now facing a 15% price hike on everything from espresso machines to auto parts, and the so-called “investments” are vaporware. It’s not a trade deal, it’s a PR stunt, and we are the ones footing the bill.