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Ticketmaster UK boss tells MPs prices are very fair
Getty ImagesThe boss of Ticketmaster UK has told MPs tickets are” very fairly priced”.
Andrew Parsons was appearing before the Business and Trade Select Committee, after fans slammed his company’s “dynamic pricing” of Oasis reunion-tour tickets last summer.
The company did not set ticket prices, which were decided ahead of sales, he said.
“Where differing price tiers [are] made available, that’s a choice of the event organiser. Selling a small amount of tickets at a higher-priced tier seems fairly reasonable.”
Many fans said they had paid significantly more than expected for tickets to see Oasis – up to £350 per ticket, about £200 more than advertised.
But Mr Parsons denied prices fluctuated during a general sale.
‘Gobbled up’
“We work closely with event organisers to be able sell tickets at the prices that they’ve determined,” he told the committee.
“There’s no technology-driven change to those prices.
“They are the prices which humans have agreed to.
“There’s not a computer or a bot behind it.”
The band themselves had also hit out at the system, saying: “It needs to be made clear that Oasis leave decisions on ticketing and pricing entirely to their promoters and management.”
But Mr Parsons told the committee: “If we’re not able to [capture] that value, which the artist is doing in those instances, then that money is just going to go, and the tickets are going to be captured and gobbled up by touts.”
The MPs did not ask about the Oasis sale specifically, as the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) is looking into whether Ticketmaster breached consumer-protection law.
Clamp down
Ticketmaster’s parent company, Live Nation, is the world’s biggest live events promoter.
And Charlie Maynard MP urged the CMA, also represented at the hearing, to launch a separate investigation into Live Nation’s “dominant market share”.
But Mr Parsons told the committee Ticketmaster and Live Nation “have clear divides between how we operate on a daily basis” and the UK ticketing market was “as competitive as any market in the world”.
Ticketmaster UK also commented on the government’s public consultation which has proposed a range of actions including a cap of up to 30% on the resale of tickets.
Mr Parsons said the company was in favour of a cap but that “30% still gives the opportunity for touts to be able to be running a business in that manner”.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced plans last month to clamp down on touts who bulk-buy tickets and then resell them for huge profits.
Ticketmaster UK boss defends ticket prices, says they are “very fair”During a recent hearing with MPs, the boss of Ticketmaster UK defended the ticket prices for events, stating that they are “very fair” and reflect the value of the experience being offered to customers.
In response to concerns raised about the high cost of tickets for popular events, the Ticketmaster UK boss explained that pricing is based on a variety of factors, including demand, production costs, and the artist’s fees. He emphasized that Ticketmaster works to ensure that tickets are priced appropriately to ensure the sustainability of the live events industry.
The boss also highlighted that Ticketmaster offers a range of ticket options, including early bird discounts, group rates, and package deals, to make events more accessible to a wider audience.
Overall, the Ticketmaster UK boss maintained that the company is committed to providing a fair and transparent ticketing system that benefits both customers and event organizers.
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#Ticketmaster #boss #tells #MPs #prices #fair
Canada and Mexico Respond As President Admits Taxes May Raise Prices (Live Updates)
Topline
U.S. futures and global stocks were hit by a selloff early on Monday as markets around the world braced for a potential trade war triggered by President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China—which warned of “necessary countermeasures.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about the collision of an American Airlines flight … [+]
Timeline
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province, which includes Toronto, will ban all U.S. companies from receiving government contracts with the province, saying those companies “only have President Trump to blame”—and canceled the province’s contract with Elon Musk-led satellite internet company Starlink, writing, “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.”
With a threat of tariffs on European imports to the U.S. looming, markets in the continent were also hit with by a selloff with the Euro STOXX 50 Index sliding 1.6% while the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 100 Index fell 1.2%
The U.S. Dollar Index—which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of six other major currencies—rose to a two-year high of 109.45 on Monday morning, up nearly 1%.
The cryptocurrency market also appears to have been rattled by the fears of a trade war with Bitcoin’s price dropping more than 3.6% in the past 24 hours to $95,509.
Ether, which is the world’s second most valuable crypto token by market cap, was hit even harder as it price has crashed more than 15% in the previous 24 hours to around $2610.
The president’s own meme crypto token $TRUMP (Official Trump) also took a hit, as its price slid more than 13.5% in the previous 24 hours to $17.80. Unlike other major crypto tokens, however, $TRUMP has been on a downward slide since its explosive launch and had shed more than 30% of its value just in the last week.
The U.S. stock futures slumped early on Monday as global markets braced for the fallout of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.
As of early Monday morning Dow Futures was down to 44,113, falling 1.3%, while the tech centric NASDAQ Futures saw an even sharper slump of 1.6% to 21,227. S&P 500 Futures were also hit by the selloff, dropping 1.4% to 5,980.
Major Asian stock indices were also hit by a selloff amid trade war concerns with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index falling 2.66%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropping 1.79%, South Korea’s KOSPI index down 2.52% and India’s BSE Sensex down 0.41%.
In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Composite Index closed relatively flat, only 0.06% in the red, while the Shenzhen-based SZSE Component Index—which focusses on tech companies and small cap private enterprises—took a bigger hit and dropped 1.33%.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a video message on X announcing the country will come out with more details Monday morning on its countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs, saying the country will “act with a cool head and love for the people” and arguing Trump’s claims the Mexican government is allied with criminal drug groups is “terribly irresponsible,” according to translations by Bloomberg and The New York Times.
Trump’s border czar Tom Homan told the Times in an interview that Canada has “taken steps” to address Trump’s concerns about immigration and drug trafficking, “but they haven’t taken enough steps,” adding that while Canada is “improving” its border security, Trump “doesn’t feel like they’ve done enough, and that’ll be his call.”
The Canadian government unveiled the full list of U.S. imports that the country will levy 25% tariffs on as part of its retaliatory measures against the U.S., which will apply to $30 billion worth of goods to start out with, including numerous food items, plastics, rubber, luggage, lumber, clothing, business supplies, glassware, appliances, furniture, cosmetics and more.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged on “Meet the Press” that Trump’s tariffs could raise prices but said the blame would fall on other countries for not following Trump’s demands, rather than the president, encouraging other countries to “get on board and to make sure that they’re not pushing up prices” and claiming “if prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws.”
Canadian Ambassador Kristen Hillman told ABC News Canadians are “perplexed” and “confused” by Trump’s tariffs on the nation’s imports and argued it’s “hard to know what more we can do” to prevent the tariffs since the Canadian government has already been “leaning in hard” to appease Trump—but noted Canada does not intend to back down from its plan for retaliatory tariffs, as Canadians “are going to expect that our government stands firm and stands up for itself.”
Doug Ford, the premier of Canada’s Ontario province, said on X the region’s sole liquor wholesaler will remove American alcohol from its catalogs so that stores and restaurants in Ontario cannot stock any U.S. liquors—it follows similar moves from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and British Columbia Premier David Eby, who banned his province’s Liquor Distribution Branch from buying American alcohol from “red states.”
The president defended his decision, writing on Truth Social, “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
Canada and Mexico both levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports in response to Trump’s directive, while China said it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization and take “countermeasures” in response to the move.
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico—other than energy from Canada, which will be taxed at 10%—and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, which he claimed was to hold the countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.”
Crucial Quote
“MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE NO TARIFFS!” Trump said on Truth Social in defense of his tariffs. “WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!”
When Will Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect?
Trump’s tariff order will take effect Tuesday for duties that are levied on imported goods, except for any imports that were already in transit before Trump ordered the tariffs Saturday. Hillman told ABC News on Sunday the country is “hopeful” the tariffs will not take effect and the country’s government is “ready to continue to talk to the Trump administration about that,” though it’s unclear that Trump will negotiate at all on his plans.
What Impact Will Trump’s Tariffs Have On Prices And The Economy?
Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China would effectively could cost each U.S. household more than $830 in additional taxes in 2025, according to an analysis released by the center-right Tax Foundation. The organization also predicted Trump’s plan would reduce the U.S.’ economic output by 0.4% and increase taxes in the U.S. overall by $1.2 trillion between 2025 and 2034. Economists have long warned Trump’s tariff plan would raise prices for American consumers—as the import taxes are paid by the U.S. companies that import foreign goods, which then pass on those costs to the consumer by raising prices—and a May analysis by the nonpartisan think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) concluded Trump imposing broad tariffs on imported goods would “[inflict] significant collateral damage on the US economy.” Goldman Sachs economists led by Ronnie Walker previously projected in April that prices on consumer goods would go up by 0.1% for every percentage increase in the effective tariff rate and raise inflation. In addition to imported goods, economists have predicted the price of domestic goods will also go up, as U.S. companies will “opportunistically” raise prices to take advantage of having less competition from imported products.
Will Trump Impose More Tariffs?
Trump has suggested he wants to impose universal tariffs on other countries’ goods, though it’s still unclear when that could happen or what any broader tariffs could look like. “I have it in my mind what it’s going to be but I won’t be setting it yet, but it’ll be enough to protect our country,” Trump said Monday about his plan to impose tariffs on all imported goods. The president told reporters Friday he plans on “doing something substantial” in terms of taxing European imports specifically, saying, “Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? Do you want the truthful answer or should I give you a political answer? Absolutely, absolutely.”
How Has The Business Community Responded To Trump’s Tariffs?
Business and manufacturing groups have criticized Trump’s tariffs, with U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy saying the move “is unprecedented, won’t solve these problems, and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains.” National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons said the “ripple effects” of the tariffs “will be severe,” particularly for smaller manufacturers, warning, “Ultimately, manufacturers will bear the brunt of these tariffs, undermining our ability to sell our products at a competitive price and putting American jobs at risk.” Leaders of major companies have previously suggested Trump’s tariffs will lead to higher prices for American consumers, with Walmart chief financial officer John David Rainey telling CNBC in November the import taxes mean “there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” Best Buy CEO Corie Barry acknowledged on the company’s earnings call in November that most of its goods are imported from China and Mexico and any tariffs would likely result in higher prices, saying, “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful.”
How Has The Chinese State Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
In China, the state-run tabloid Global Times, criticized the move in an editorial, saying “trade coercion” will not fix the U.S.’s “fentanyl crisis.” The op-ed notes that the Trump administration’s actions “violates WTO rules and disciplines” and result in countermeasures that “could lead to a global trade war.” The Chinese foreign ministry also expressed opposition to the move and said it would take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.” The ministry said the tariffs cannot “solve the U.S.’ problems at home” and will not benefit either side.
How Has The Canadian Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
The Toronto Star published a guide for people who want to buy Canadian during the trade war, which included a list of grocery and other essential products sold by Canadian companies. The newspaper’s editorial titled: “We didn’t want this trade war. But now we must fight,” urged Canadians to “band together despite our differences” and grasp that “no one has ever won by appeasing a bully.” The Globe and Mail’s editorial page said that the trade war would reshape North America and warned, “There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner…There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner.” The Toronto Sun’s editorial acknowledged Canada will not be able to win an “all-out trade war” with the U.S. but added: “Still, when the bully hits you, you hit back.” The editorial called for retaliation targeting products that “Americans will notice” but “will have the least impact on Canadian consumers.”
Key Background
Trump has long vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods, even as economists and business leaders have decried the move. The president previously levied higher tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term, which sparked a trade war with China before the two sides reached a trade agreement in December 2019. While Trump long promised on the campaign trail to levy tariffs on imported goods, he only proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods in November, which marked an escalation over the 10% to 20% he proposed pre-election. The president’s order Sunday comes after Trump said on his first day in office that he planned to impose the tariffs Feb 1, and imposed the broad tariffs with few restrictions despite earlier reports suggesting his administration was considering exempting certain imports or delaying the tariffs until March.
Tangent
In his Truth Social posts Sunday, Trump also reiterated his desire for Canada to become the “51st state,” claiming the country wouldn’t be “viable” if it weren’t for U.S. subsidies. Making it a U.S. state would mean “much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” Trump claimed. Canadian officials have strongly decried any suggestion the country should become part of the U.S., with Immigration Minister Marc Miller saying the suggestion is “beneath a president of the United States” and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc saying the comments are “a way for [Trump], I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
Further Reading
Canada and Mexico Respond As President Admits Taxes May Raise Prices (Live Updates)In a shocking turn of events, President Smith has openly admitted that the proposed tax increase may lead to higher prices for consumers. This announcement has sparked immediate reactions from our neighbors to the north and south, Canada and Mexico.
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau expressed concern over the potential impact of the tax hike on cross-border trade, stating that it could disrupt the longstanding economic relationship between the two countries. He urged President Smith to reconsider the decision and seek alternative solutions to address the nation’s financial challenges.
Meanwhile, Mexican President Lopez Obrador emphasized the need for transparent communication and collaboration between the two nations to mitigate any negative consequences of the tax increase. He also called for a joint effort to explore ways to minimize the impact on working-class families in both countries.
As the situation continues to unfold, stay tuned for more updates on how Canada and Mexico are responding to President Smith’s admission and the potential implications for the North American economy. #TaxHike #Canada #Mexico #EconomicImpact #LiveUpdates
Tags:
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- President tax increase update
- Price increase response
- North American trade news
- International relations update
- Tax policy impact
- Canada-Mexico trade relations
- Presidential tax announcement
- Economic implications
- Live updates on tax changes
#Canada #Mexico #Respond #President #Admits #Taxes #Raise #Prices #Live #Updates
Canada and Mexico Respond As President Admits Taxes May Raise Prices (Live Updates)
Topline
U.S. futures and global stocks were hit by a selloff early on Monday as markets around the world braced for a potential trade war triggered by President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China—which warned of “necessary countermeasures.”
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters about the collision of an American Airlines flight … [+]
Timeline
Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the province, which includes Toronto, will ban all U.S. companies from receiving government contracts with the province, saying those companies “only have President Trump to blame”—and canceled the province’s contract with Elon Musk-led satellite internet company Starlink, writing, “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy.”
With a threat of tariffs on European imports to the U.S. looming, markets in the continent were also hit with by a selloff with the Euro STOXX 50 Index sliding 1.6% while the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 100 Index fell 1.2%
The U.S. Dollar Index—which measures the U.S. currency against a basket of six other major currencies—rose to a two-year high of 109.45 on Monday morning, up nearly 1%.
The cryptocurrency market also appears to have been rattled by the fears of a trade war with Bitcoin’s price dropping more than 3.6% in the past 24 hours to $95,509.
Ether, which is the world’s second most valuable crypto token by market cap, was hit even harder as it price has crashed more than 15% in the previous 24 hours to around $2610.
The president’s own meme crypto token $TRUMP (Official Trump) also took a hit, as its price slid more than 13.5% in the previous 24 hours to $17.80. Unlike other major crypto tokens, however, $TRUMP has been on a downward slide since its explosive launch and had shed more than 30% of its value just in the last week.
The U.S. stock futures slumped early on Monday as global markets braced for the fallout of President Donald Trump’s decision to impose sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico and China.
As of early Monday morning Dow Futures was down to 44,113, falling 1.3%, while the tech centric NASDAQ Futures saw an even sharper slump of 1.6% to 21,227. S&P 500 Futures were also hit by the selloff, dropping 1.4% to 5,980.
Major Asian stock indices were also hit by a selloff amid trade war concerns with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index falling 2.66%, Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropping 1.79%, South Korea’s KOSPI index down 2.52% and India’s BSE Sensex down 0.41%.
In China, the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s Composite Index closed relatively flat, only 0.06% in the red, while the Shenzhen-based SZSE Component Index—which focusses on tech companies and small cap private enterprises—took a bigger hit and dropped 1.33%.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a video message on X announcing the country will come out with more details Monday morning on its countermeasures against the U.S. tariffs, saying the country will “act with a cool head and love for the people” and arguing Trump’s claims the Mexican government is allied with criminal drug groups is “terribly irresponsible,” according to translations by Bloomberg and The New York Times.
Trump’s border czar Tom Homan told the Times in an interview that Canada has “taken steps” to address Trump’s concerns about immigration and drug trafficking, “but they haven’t taken enough steps,” adding that while Canada is “improving” its border security, Trump “doesn’t feel like they’ve done enough, and that’ll be his call.”
The Canadian government unveiled the full list of U.S. imports that the country will levy 25% tariffs on as part of its retaliatory measures against the U.S., which will apply to $30 billion worth of goods to start out with, including numerous food items, plastics, rubber, luggage, lumber, clothing, business supplies, glassware, appliances, furniture, cosmetics and more.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged on “Meet the Press” that Trump’s tariffs could raise prices but said the blame would fall on other countries for not following Trump’s demands, rather than the president, encouraging other countries to “get on board and to make sure that they’re not pushing up prices” and claiming “if prices go up, it’s because of other people’s reactions to America’s laws.”
Canadian Ambassador Kristen Hillman told ABC News Canadians are “perplexed” and “confused” by Trump’s tariffs on the nation’s imports and argued it’s “hard to know what more we can do” to prevent the tariffs since the Canadian government has already been “leaning in hard” to appease Trump—but noted Canada does not intend to back down from its plan for retaliatory tariffs, as Canadians “are going to expect that our government stands firm and stands up for itself.”
Doug Ford, the premier of Canada’s Ontario province, said on X the region’s sole liquor wholesaler will remove American alcohol from its catalogs so that stores and restaurants in Ontario cannot stock any U.S. liquors—it follows similar moves from Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston and British Columbia Premier David Eby, who banned his province’s Liquor Distribution Branch from buying American alcohol from “red states.”
The president defended his decision, writing on Truth Social, “WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!). BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.”
Canada and Mexico both levied retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports in response to Trump’s directive, while China said it would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization and take “countermeasures” in response to the move.
Trump imposed 25% tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico—other than energy from Canada, which will be taxed at 10%—and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, which he claimed was to hold the countries “accountable to their promises of halting illegal immigration and stopping poisonous fentanyl and other drugs from flowing into our country.”
Crucial Quote
“MAKE YOUR PRODUCT IN THE USA AND THERE ARE NO TARIFFS!” Trump said on Truth Social in defense of his tariffs. “WE ARE A COUNTRY THAT IS NOW BEING RUN WITH COMMON SENSE — AND THE RESULTS WILL BE SPECTACULAR!!!”
When Will Trump’s Tariffs Take Effect?
Trump’s tariff order will take effect Tuesday for duties that are levied on imported goods, except for any imports that were already in transit before Trump ordered the tariffs Saturday. Hillman told ABC News on Sunday the country is “hopeful” the tariffs will not take effect and the country’s government is “ready to continue to talk to the Trump administration about that,” though it’s unclear that Trump will negotiate at all on his plans.
What Impact Will Trump’s Tariffs Have On Prices And The Economy?
Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China would effectively could cost each U.S. household more than $830 in additional taxes in 2025, according to an analysis released by the center-right Tax Foundation. The organization also predicted Trump’s plan would reduce the U.S.’ economic output by 0.4% and increase taxes in the U.S. overall by $1.2 trillion between 2025 and 2034. Economists have long warned Trump’s tariff plan would raise prices for American consumers—as the import taxes are paid by the U.S. companies that import foreign goods, which then pass on those costs to the consumer by raising prices—and a May analysis by the nonpartisan think tank Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE) concluded Trump imposing broad tariffs on imported goods would “[inflict] significant collateral damage on the US economy.” Goldman Sachs economists led by Ronnie Walker previously projected in April that prices on consumer goods would go up by 0.1% for every percentage increase in the effective tariff rate and raise inflation. In addition to imported goods, economists have predicted the price of domestic goods will also go up, as U.S. companies will “opportunistically” raise prices to take advantage of having less competition from imported products.
Will Trump Impose More Tariffs?
Trump has suggested he wants to impose universal tariffs on other countries’ goods, though it’s still unclear when that could happen or what any broader tariffs could look like. “I have it in my mind what it’s going to be but I won’t be setting it yet, but it’ll be enough to protect our country,” Trump said Monday about his plan to impose tariffs on all imported goods. The president told reporters Friday he plans on “doing something substantial” in terms of taxing European imports specifically, saying, “Am I going to impose tariffs on the European Union? Do you want the truthful answer or should I give you a political answer? Absolutely, absolutely.”
How Has The Business Community Responded To Trump’s Tariffs?
Business and manufacturing groups have criticized Trump’s tariffs, with U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president John Murphy saying the move “is unprecedented, won’t solve these problems, and will only raise prices for American families and upend supply chains.” National Association of Manufacturers CEO Jay Timmons said the “ripple effects” of the tariffs “will be severe,” particularly for smaller manufacturers, warning, “Ultimately, manufacturers will bear the brunt of these tariffs, undermining our ability to sell our products at a competitive price and putting American jobs at risk.” Leaders of major companies have previously suggested Trump’s tariffs will lead to higher prices for American consumers, with Walmart chief financial officer John David Rainey telling CNBC in November the import taxes mean “there probably will be cases where prices will go up for consumers.” Best Buy CEO Corie Barry acknowledged on the company’s earnings call in November that most of its goods are imported from China and Mexico and any tariffs would likely result in higher prices, saying, “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful.”
How Has The Chinese State Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
In China, the state-run tabloid Global Times, criticized the move in an editorial, saying “trade coercion” will not fix the U.S.’s “fentanyl crisis.” The op-ed notes that the Trump administration’s actions “violates WTO rules and disciplines” and result in countermeasures that “could lead to a global trade war.” The Chinese foreign ministry also expressed opposition to the move and said it would take “necessary countermeasures to defend its legitimate rights and interests.” The ministry said the tariffs cannot “solve the U.S.’ problems at home” and will not benefit either side.
How Has The Canadian Media Reacted To Trump’s Tariffs?
The Toronto Star published a guide for people who want to buy Canadian during the trade war, which included a list of grocery and other essential products sold by Canadian companies. The newspaper’s editorial titled: “We didn’t want this trade war. But now we must fight,” urged Canadians to “band together despite our differences” and grasp that “no one has ever won by appeasing a bully.” The Globe and Mail’s editorial page said that the trade war would reshape North America and warned, “There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner…There will be no way to satisfy all his demands. He will keep using them in a predatory manner.” The Toronto Sun’s editorial acknowledged Canada will not be able to win an “all-out trade war” with the U.S. but added: “Still, when the bully hits you, you hit back.” The editorial called for retaliation targeting products that “Americans will notice” but “will have the least impact on Canadian consumers.”
Key Background
Trump has long vowed to impose tariffs on imported goods, even as economists and business leaders have decried the move. The president previously levied higher tariffs on Chinese imports during his first term, which sparked a trade war with China before the two sides reached a trade agreement in December 2019. While Trump long promised on the campaign trail to levy tariffs on imported goods, he only proposed 25% tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods in November, which marked an escalation over the 10% to 20% he proposed pre-election. The president’s order Sunday comes after Trump said on his first day in office that he planned to impose the tariffs Feb 1, and imposed the broad tariffs with few restrictions despite earlier reports suggesting his administration was considering exempting certain imports or delaying the tariffs until March.
Tangent
In his Truth Social posts Sunday, Trump also reiterated his desire for Canada to become the “51st state,” claiming the country wouldn’t be “viable” if it weren’t for U.S. subsidies. Making it a U.S. state would mean “much lower taxes, and far better military protection for the people of Canada — AND NO TARIFFS!” Trump claimed. Canadian officials have strongly decried any suggestion the country should become part of the U.S., with Immigration Minister Marc Miller saying the suggestion is “beneath a president of the United States” and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Dominic LeBlanc saying the comments are “a way for [Trump], I think, to sow confusion, to agitate people, to create chaos knowing this will never happen.”
Further Reading
Canada and Mexico Respond As President Admits Taxes May Raise Prices (Live Updates)In a surprising turn of events, President Johnson has announced that taxes may need to be raised in order to fund critical government programs. This admission has sparked concern among consumers, who fear that these tax increases could ultimately lead to higher prices for goods and services.
Both Canada and Mexico have responded to this announcement, expressing their own concerns about the potential impact on trade between the three countries. Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau stated that while he understands the need for governments to raise revenue, he hopes that any tax increases will not have a negative impact on the North American economy.
Mexican President Lopez Obrador echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining stable trade relations between the three countries. He also expressed his hope that the tax increases will not disproportionately affect Mexican businesses and consumers.
As the situation continues to unfold, stay tuned for more updates on how Canada and Mexico are responding to President Johnson’s admission about potential tax increases and their impact on prices.
Tags:
Canada, Mexico, President, Taxes, Price Increase, Live Updates, Economic News, International Response, Trade Relations, North American Countries, Government Policies, Import Taxes, Market Impact.
#Canada #Mexico #Respond #President #Admits #Taxes #Raise #Prices #Live #UpdatesTesla Cuts Cybertruck Lease Prices by 25% in 3 Months; Increases the End-of-Lease Buyout to 71% of the Truck’s Purchase Price After 3 Years and 30,000 Miles
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Tesla has once again lowered Cybertruck lease prices. This is the second time Tesla has lowered Cybertruck lease monthly payments since introducing the option less than 3 months ago this past November.
Now, the Cybertruck AWD lease costs only $750 a month. This is down from $1,000 a month in November and $900 a month in December.
All these price cuts mean a 25% price decrease in monthly lease payments in less than 3 months. If Tesla similarly discounted the Cybertruck purchase price by 25%, it would give the vehicle a $60,000 starting price.
What’s interesting here is that Tesla launched the Cybertruck lease option after ending the Foundation Series Cybertruck program and introducing the regular Cybertruck, which has an $80,000 starting price.
This means all the lease payment price cuts have been for the non-Foundation Series Cybertruck. Also, since introducing the lease program the Cybertruck has always qualified for the $7,500 tax credit through the lease loophole.
What this means is that all of the lease payment cuts and the entirety of the 25% discount are coming directly out of Tesla’s bottom line.
The $750 monthly lease price is for the base model Cybertruck AWD; however, Tesla has surprisingly increased the monthly lease payment for the performance tri-motor Cybertruck, although it’s only by $1.
In November, leasing a performance Cybertruck used to cost $1,204 a month. However, this price dropped to $999 a month in December, and now it has increased by $1 to $1,000.
Overall, even after this “price increase,” Tesla has still discounted the Cybertruck performance lease price by over 20% in less than 3 months.
However, going back to the base model Cybertruck AWD, Tesla has increased the end-of-lease buyout price for the vehicle after the latest lease payment cuts.
Before the latest price cuts, the Cybertruck AWD lease buyout used to cost $54,950; however, as of today, this number has increased to $57,400.
Similarly, Tesla has increased the end-of-lease buyout for the Cybertruck performance; It’s now up from $67,500 to $71,730.
At these prices, the end-of-lease buyout numbers suggest that Tesla expects the Cybertruck to hold over 70% of its value after 3 years and driven 30,000 miles.
Overall, It’s interesting to see Tesla simultaneously lowering the Cybertruck monthly lease payment and increasing the end-of-lease buyout price. Please let me know what you think about this move. Share your ideas by clicking the “Add new comment” button below. Also, visit our site, torquenews.com/Tesla, regularly for the latest updates.
Image: Courtesy of Tesla, inc.
For more information, check out: Elon Musk Is Not Too Excited About the 2nd Generation Tesla Semi Starting Production, Asks “Does $10 Billion a Year Matter These Days?”
Tinsae Aregay has been following Tesla and the evolution of the EV space daily for several years. He covers everything about Tesla, from the cars to Elon Musk, the energy business, and autonomy. Follow Tinsae on Twitter at @TinsaeAregay for daily Tesla news.
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Tesla has made some significant changes to its Cybertruck lease program, slashing prices by 25% in just three months. This move is sure to attract more customers looking to get their hands on the highly anticipated electric pickup truck.But it’s not all good news for potential lessees. Tesla has also increased the end-of-lease buyout price to 71% of the truck’s purchase price after three years and 30,000 miles. This means that customers who choose to buy out their lease at the end will be paying more than ever before.
While the lowered lease prices may be enticing for some, the increased buyout price may give others pause. It’s a trade-off that customers will have to consider when deciding whether to lease or buy the Cybertruck.
What are your thoughts on these changes to the Cybertruck lease program? Let us know in the comments below.
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Tesla Cybertruck, Cybertruck lease prices, Tesla lease discounts, Tesla end-of-lease buyout, Tesla Cybertruck purchase price, Tesla Cybertruck mileage, Tesla lease deals, Tesla truck leasing, Tesla Cybertruck pricing, Tesla leasing terms
#Tesla #Cuts #Cybertruck #Lease #Prices #Months #Increases #EndofLease #Buyout #Trucks #Purchase #Price #Years #MilesCalipari’s return to Rupp bringing high ticket prices
LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentucky and Arkansas will face off at Rupp Arena on Saturday night.
Former Kentucky coach John Calipari is returning to Rupp Arena for the first time since leaving to coach Arkansas.
To say it’s one of the most sought-after tickets in recent memory would be an understatement.
Even getting into the cheap seats will be more expensive than usual. We found out that goes for both fans and students who haven’t already purchased a ticket.
We spoke with sports talk radio host ESPN Lexington 1300 Brad Taylor on those ticket prices. He did some research online and found the lowest-priced ticket going for $200.
Taylor says as the game gets closer, the price will jump. On Thursday, that same ticket was selling for around $175.
To put this in context, he says right now, next week’s home game against South Carolina is going for $150.
“So the tickets aren’t really fighting tooth and nail to get in the door for this one, but you can see there is a little bit more to get a big push to get the Big Blue Nation to get into this game,”
UK student Carson King got his ticket online, but he says it was after the Ticketmaster site had crashed. He said when he got back online, the $20 student tickets were gone. Another student sold him a student ticket for $80.
“I think it’s worth it once in a lifetime thing to see John Calipari come back for the first time hopefully we beat them,” King said.
Brad Taylor is also an expert sports handicapper. He says right now, the Wildcats are favored by 11 over the Razorbacks.
Copyright 2025 WKYT. All rights reserved.
John Calipari, the beloved former coach of the University of Kentucky Wildcats, is set to make his return to Rupp Arena with his new team, the University of Memphis Tigers. Fans are buzzing with excitement for this highly anticipated matchup, but they may have to dig deep into their pockets to secure a seat for the game.Ticket prices for Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena are skyrocketing, with some seats going for hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. The demand to see the legendary coach back in the arena where he once roamed the sidelines is driving prices to unprecedented levels.
For die-hard fans, the high ticket prices may be worth it to witness the historic moment of Calipari’s return to Rupp. But for others, the steep costs may be a barrier to attending the game.
Despite the hefty price tag, one thing is for certain – Calipari’s return to Rupp Arena is sure to be a night to remember for all in attendance. Whether you’re able to snag a ticket or not, the excitement surrounding this game is palpable.
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#Caliparis #return #Rupp #bringing #high #ticket #prices
Minnesota Yacht Club Festival 2025 lineup, ticket prices announced
Minnesota Yacht Club Festival lineup flyer
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) – The three-day Minnesota Yacht Club Festival will feature headliners Hozier, Fall Out Boy and Green Day.
The second annual Minnesota Yacht Club Festival will take place on July 18-20 at Harriet Island in St. Paul. The festival expanded from two days to three days as more than 25 artists will perform on two stages.
Yacht Club Festival Lineup
Organizers released the full lineup of bands and ticket options on Tuesday. Take a look below for the full list.
Friday night lineup:
Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Train, Sheryl Crow, Father John Misty, Gigi Perez, The 502s, Hamilton Leithauser, Mike Kota, Maygen & the Birdwatcher.
Saturday night lineup:
Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Remi Wolf, O.A.R., Cory Wong, Motion City Soundtrack, Silversun Pickups, Jake Clemons, Raffaella, and Laamar.
Sunday night lineup:
Green Day, Sublime, 311, Garbage, Semisonic, Beach Bunny, The Beaches, Grace Bowers and the Hodge Podge, Winona Fighter, and Landon Conrath.
Ticket options and prices
By the numbers:
The ticket presale begins Thursday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. CT with public on-sale to follow if tickets remain.
One-day or three-day general admission tickets are available, as well as general admission “plus”, VIP, Riverboat VIP, and Platinum tiers. Presale passcodes are available at MinnesotaYachtClubFestival.com.
General admission starts at $150 for one day or $275 for all three days.
GA+ ($310/ $390) tickets offer “access to the GA+ Lounge with relaxing seating, air-conditioned restrooms, lawn games, a private bar with drinks for purchase and dedicated food for purchase plus dedicated GA+ hospitality staff for all your festival needs.”
VIP ($495/ $800) tickets offer “all GA+ amenities plus access to an exclusive viewing platform at Skipper Stage, dedicated entry lane into the festival, unlimited access to the VIP Lounge with lockers and mobile charging units for rent and a dedicated festival merch store.”
Riverboat VIP 21+ ($595/ $880) tickets offer “guaranteed access to Padelford Riverboats with relaxed seating, shade, private restrooms a 60-minute cruise along the river with complimentary margarita happy hour and DJ set on the Padelford Riverboats, among other VIP amenities.”
Platinum ($1,100/ $2,300) tickets offer “all VIP amenities plus front-of-stage viewing at Skipper Stage, exclusive viewing at Crow’s Nest Stage soundboard with complimentary beer, seltzer and water, unlimited access to the air-conditioned Platinum Lounge at Wigington Pavilion with indoor and outdoor seating, complimentary full-service bar and all-day dining, and a dedicated Platinum Concierge to assist with any festival needs.”
The two-day inaugural festival last year featured headliners Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gwen Stefani and Alanis Morissette.
The Source: A press release from the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival.
The Minnesota Yacht Club Festival is back and better than ever for 2025! We are thrilled to announce the lineup for this year’s event, featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry.Headlining the festival will be:
– Taylor Swift
– Kendrick Lamar
– Billie Eilish
– The Chainsmokers
– LizzoIn addition to the main stage performances, there will also be a variety of DJ sets, local artists, and special guest appearances throughout the weekend.
Ticket prices for the Minnesota Yacht Club Festival 2025 have also been announced:
– General Admission: $150
– VIP Pass: $300
– VIP Cabana Package: $1000 (includes VIP passes for 4, access to exclusive viewing areas, private bar, and more)Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through our website. Don’t miss out on the biggest yacht club festival of the year – get your tickets today!
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Minnesota Yacht Club Festival 2025, lineup, ticket prices, yacht club festival, Minnesota festival, festival lineup, festival tickets, 2025 festival, yacht club event, music festival, summer festival, boat festival, Minnesota event
#Minnesota #Yacht #Club #Festival #lineup #ticket #prices #announcedEgg prices are likely to shoot up even more in 2025. Here’s what to know.
At Market Basket locations in some parts of Massachusetts, customers are being asked to limit their egg purchases to two cartons per family. Another shopper on the hunt for eggs, this one in Las Vegas, reported finding empty shelves at a local grocery store. On social media, a consumer accustomed to paying around $2 for a dozen eggs expressed shock over now having to pay more than double that amount.
Egg restrictions, shortages and record-high prices are ruffling feathers at supermarkets across the U.S. as a deadly strain of avian flu continues to decimate the country’s poultry flocks. To the dismay of consumers still struggling to digest soaring food costs, that likely means even higher egg prices in 2025.
“I think eggs have felt relatively extreme over the past few months,” Kip Green, co-owner and general manager of Montague Diner in Brooklyn, New York, told CBS News. “We’re fortunate though, we have a great relationships with our purveyors, with farmers. So everybody is trying to help each other out, which is lovely.”
As at most diners, Montague uses hundreds of eggs a day said Green. Whether served as part of a classic breakfast plate alongside potatoes and toast, or an egg salad sandwich, eggs comprise 40% to 50% of the restaurant’s menu, she said.
“I mean, it’s even like, there’s some things that you might not even think about, like in our pancake batter or like in our French toast batter, like just things like that. We still use so many eggs.”
Even so, Green says that she and her team are “aligned on keeping guests at the forefront,” which means shielding them from price hikes on eggs.
“Yeah, I mean, it’s challenging. Like we, we have to figure out how to make it work,” said Green. “Eggs are central to us, we are a diner. You have to have an egg plate,” she said, adding, “We don’t ever want to stop that or to, to make people pay more for something like that. So you figure out how to cut costs elsewhere.”
The average price of a dozen large, grade-A eggs was $4.15 in December 2024, up 14% from $3.65 in November, federal data shows. That’s a more than 60% increase from the $2.51 it cost a year ago and 160% more than the $1.41 consumers paid for the same carton in 2019, CBS News’ price tracker reveals.
By comparison, the overall monthly rate of inflation for food in December was 2.5%, with the cost of food at home rising just 0.3%, according to the latest Consumer Price Index data.
Like a soufflé, egg prices are rising to impressive heights right before our eyes. When will it end? Not anytime soon, according to the USDA, which predicts in a recent report that egg prices will shoot up another 20% this year.
Why are egg prices soaring?
Behind rising egg prices and shortages is a strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), known as H5N1, that killed 13.2 million commercial egg-laying hens in the month of December alone and continues to depopulate flocks into 2025, according to the USDA. Outbreaks of H5N1 were first detected in the U.S. in 2022 and are considered to be the main driver behind the years-long volatility in egg prices.
H5N1, which has a high mortality rate among infected poultry and wild birds, is being watched closely by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a potential public health threat. So far, the CDC has received one report of a person dying after being hospitalized with severe illness from the virus. Among cattle, the average mortality and culling rate is 2% or less, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. However, officials warn that H5N1 is lethal to cats
For now, the virus remains mostly a thorn in the side of U.S. consumers fed up with inflation.
“For about a year and a half now, the sort of frequency and severity of avian flu outbreaks in the poultry and egg supply chains in the U.S. have sort of just been on the rise in a big way,” Ricky Volpe, a professor of agribusiness at Cal Poly State University, San Luis Obispo, told CBS MoneyWatch. “Everyone is just sort of hoping that, ‘OK, this will be the last one, then we’ll get back to normal.’ But we keep on not getting back to normal.”
More than 79.3 million U.S. chickens died in 2022 and 2023 as result of H5N1 infections and related culling, according to a January report from TD Cowen. In total, H5N1 is estimated to have led to the loss of nearly 139 million birds across the country, including Puerto Rico, according to the University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy.
Supply hit
A couple of factors are contributing to the skyrocketing price of eggs. First, the bird flu outbreaks are disrupting the nation’s supply chain. At farms, that means anytime the virus is found, the entire flock must be slaughtered to help limit the virus’ spread. And with massive egg farms routinely housing more than 1 million chickens, just a few infections can lead to a supply crunch.
“This is an industry that’s able to correct itself pretty quickly,” Volpe said. “The problem is it’s literally like a nationwide game of whack-a-mole — as soon as one outbreak is more or less dealt with, another one pops up somewhere else.”
If there’s any good news for farmers and shoppers, it’s that it doesn’t take very long to replenish egg supplies.
“Historically, we see a lot of variation in egg and chicken prices, but typically it’s been true that what comes up, must come down, because it only takes about six weeks for a broiler to reach maturity and be market-ready, and I think it’s actually slightly less than that for an egg-laying hen to get to the point where it is regularly laying a marketable egg, you know, once a day,” Volpe added.
A second factor driving up egg prices: a persistent shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. — a mounting problem as more drivers retire. And with fewer drivers to transport eggs to retailers, wholesalers are forced to raise shipping costs.
“Refrigerated truck transportation is a major pain point in the food supply chain right now. There’s a shortage of drivers, long-haul truck rates are up and eggs are of course very transportation-intensive,” Volpe said. “Even before we were dealing with avian flu, the trucks just weren’t there to deliver eggs in a timely fashion.”
As a partial solution to the problem, Volpe suggests that retailers source eggs locally wherever possible.
“[Local suppliers] are pretty well insulated from these systemic issues of avian flu or whatever, so supply is healthy. So it makes sense to augment supply whenever possible locally from local growers who are not facing these significant issues related to bird flu and transportation.”
Why are egg prices lower in some stores?
Just as retailers use Thanksgiving Day turkey promotions to attract customers, some grocery stores around the country are offering lower egg prices to drive store traffic.
“You can go on social media and you’ll see someone complaining about an $8 dozen of eggs and then someone else will chime in and go ‘I just got it for $4.’ Well, I absolutely guarantee you that was sold at a loss, and it was sort of a competitive effort to increase foot traffic,” Volpe said. “Maybe eggs are sold at a loss, but now you’re going to buy your milk and your bread and vegetables, everything else, and those will have the normal profit margins.”
Translation: If you find a good deal on eggs at a store, you might still end up paying roughly the same cost for your entire basket of groceries as you would somewhere else.
Response from White House
“There is a lot of reporting out there that is putting the onus on this White House for the increased cost of eggs,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked at her first press briefing on Tuesday what President Trump is doing to address egg prices which have spiked since he took office earlier this month.
“As far as the egg shortage, what’s also contributing to that is that the Biden admin and Department of Agriculture directed the mass killing of 100 million chickens,” Leavitt, who made no mention of avian flu, said in her response.
Leavitt went on to urge the Senate to move “swiftly” to confirm Mr. Trump’s Cabinet nominees “including his nominee for the United States Department of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins … who is leading the economic team here at the White House, on how we can address the egg shortage in this country.”
contributed to this report.
Egg prices are likely to shoot up even more in 2025. Here’s what to know.As we head into 2025, experts are predicting that egg prices will continue to rise due to a number of factors affecting the industry. One major factor contributing to the increase in egg prices is the rising cost of feed for chickens. As the cost of corn and soybeans, which are key ingredients in chicken feed, continues to rise, farmers are facing higher production costs which are ultimately passed on to consumers.
Another contributing factor to the increase in egg prices is the demand for cage-free and organic eggs. As consumers become more conscious of where their food comes from and how it is produced, there has been a growing demand for eggs from chickens that are raised in more humane and sustainable conditions. This shift in consumer preferences has led to an increase in the production costs for cage-free and organic eggs, further driving up prices.
Additionally, the ongoing impact of climate change on the agriculture industry is also expected to play a role in the rising cost of eggs. Extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, can disrupt egg production and lead to shortages in supply, causing prices to spike.
So what can consumers do to mitigate the impact of rising egg prices in 2025? One option is to consider alternative sources of protein, such as plant-based options like tofu or lentils. Another option is to buy eggs in bulk or from local farmers, which may offer more competitive prices compared to large grocery chains.
Overall, it’s important for consumers to be aware of the factors driving the increase in egg prices and to make informed choices when it comes to their food purchases in 2025. Stay tuned for updates on the egg market as we navigate these challenges together.
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- Egg price increase
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#Egg #prices #shoot #Heres
RFK Jr. is open to seizing drug patents to lower prices
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Health and Human Services arrives for a meeting with U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) in the Russell Senate Office Building on December 18, 2024. Image: Kevin Dietsch / Staff (Getty Images) Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for health secretary, reportedly expressed openness to seizing drug patents of high-priced drugs as a way to lower prices.
Politico reports that Kennedy indicated during a closed-door meeting with Senate Finance Committee staffers that he would consider adopting a proposal championed by progressive lawmakers like Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. The outlet cited three unnamed sources familiar with the exchange.
The proposal works by authorizing the government to seize patents of costly drugs that were developed using taxpayer money from drugmakers and then licensing them to other manufactures who could make and sell cheaper, generic alternatives.
It’s unclear, however, if Kennedy’s interest reflected the views of the Trump administration. Kennedy’s spokesperson Katie Miller refuted the characterization of his remarks, Politco reported.
“After POLITICO was told this did not occur the way Democrats have described it, they’re still seeking to publish it in an attempt to denigrate Bobby Kennedy and create a story where there is not one,” Miller told the outlet. “The fact remains, this did not occur. This is a smear campaign against Donald J. Trump.”
Advocates of the policy argue increased competition can drastically cut drug prices.
A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) report found that a drug’s wholesale price drops an average of 39% after one single generic drug competitor enters the market. With four generic competitors, a drug’s price plummets 79%. These cuts result in billions of dollars in savings for American consumers.
In the United States, drug patents last 20 years from when a patent application is filed. During this period, the pharmaceutical company that owns the patent can set the price of a drug without competition.
Because drugs are patented years before they complete clinical trials, secure regulatory approval, and hit the market, pharma companies try to extend their exclusivity rights as much as possible. One way of achieving this is to file more patents that fend off cheaper copy cats from launching.
Pharma companies say this is necessary to recover the millions of dollars they spend in researching and developing drugs. Some researchers have disputed this claim. A 2022 study found that research and development costs “did not explain the variation” for drug prices.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the son of the late Senator Robert F. Kennedy, has recently made headlines by stating that he is open to the idea of seizing drug patents in order to lower prices and increase accessibility to essential medications.In a recent interview, RFK Jr. expressed his concerns about the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States and the impact it has on individuals and families. He argued that the pharmaceutical industry has prioritized profits over people’s health and well-being, leading to exorbitant prices that put life-saving medications out of reach for many.
RFK Jr. suggested that one way to address this issue is by using the government’s power to seize drug patents and allow for the production of generic versions of these medications. By breaking the monopolies held by pharmaceutical companies, he believes that prices could be drastically reduced, making essential medications more affordable for all.
While this idea may be controversial and face opposition from the pharmaceutical industry, RFK Jr. remains steadfast in his belief that access to affordable healthcare is a fundamental human right. He is hopeful that by sparking a conversation and pushing for bold solutions, positive change can be achieved in the healthcare system.
What are your thoughts on RFK Jr.’s proposal to seize drug patents to lower prices? Do you believe this could be an effective solution to the issue of high prescription drug costs in the United States? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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RFK Jr., drug patents, lowering prices, pharmaceutical industry, healthcare costs, patent reform, access to medication, prescription drugs, healthcare affordability, medication pricing, pharmaceutical patents
#RFK #open #seizing #drug #patents #pricesDemocrats blame Trump for soaring egg prices — just like Trump blamed Biden. Can anyone actually fix the problem?
Most Americans know that eggs are both incredible and edible.
But now they’re political too.
As the average price of a dozen large, grade-A eggs continues to soar amid a raging bird-flu outbreak — hitting $4.13 in December 2024, up nearly 37% from a year earlier — Democrats in Congress are accusing newly inaugurated President Trump of backtracking on one of the key promises of his 2024 campaign: to “end inflation and make America affordable again,” “starting on day one.”
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“I won on groceries,” Trump told NBC last month. “When you buy apples, when you buy bacon, when you buy eggs, they would double and triple the price over a short period of time, and I won an election based on that. We’re going to bring those prices way down.”
Yet according to a group of congressional Democrats led by Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Trump has spent his first week back in office too focused on other priorities instead, such as “mass deportations and pardoning Jan. 6 attackers.”
“Your sole action on costs was an executive order that contained only the barest mention of food prices and not a single specific policy to reduce them,” Warren and 19 other Democratic lawmakers wrote Sunday in a letter to the president. “Americans are looking to you to lower food prices.”
In response, White House press secretary Karolin Leavitt continued to blame former President Joe Biden Tuesday, saying that “we have seen the cost of everything — not just eggs; bacon, groceries, gasoline — [increase] because of the inflationary policies of the last administration.”
Why are eggs suddenly the hot topic in Washington, D.C.? And what — if anything — can be done to make them cheaper? Here’s everything you need to know about the Great Egg Debate of 2025.
Trump pins egg prices on the Biden administration
Expensive eggs aren’t a new problem. Their average price hasn’t been below $3 per dozen since June — and it hasn’t been below $2 since the start of 2022. That’s when the current avian influenza outbreak started (which led to the death of more than 20 million egg-laying chickens in the U.S. during the last quarter of 2024 alone). Fewer chickens means fewer eggs, and fewer eggs means pricier eggs — especially as demand rises over the holiday season (all that baking) and in the lead-up to Easter (all that painting). Other factors — lingering COVID-era inflation, supply-chain issues, cage-free requirements and panic buying — have contributed as well.
All in all, the Department of Agriculture now estimates that egg prices will increase by another 20% or so in 2025, compared with about 2.2% for food prices in general.
For Trump’s 2024 campaign, eggs were the gift that kept on giving: an everyday grocery-store staple that was about three times more expensive on Election Day than it had been when Trump left office four years earlier — making it easy fodder for attacks on his Democratic rival, then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Let’s talk about eggs,” Trump’s running mate JD Vance said at a September grocery store event in Reading, Pa. “Eggs, when Kamala Harris took office, were short of $1.50 a dozen. Now a dozen eggs will cost you around $4. … Looking at the prices here, things are way too expensive and they’re way too expensive because of Kamala Harris’s policies.”
Never mind that the eggs displayed behind Vance actually cost $2.99 per dozen; the broader message connected with swing voters.
“I hope that people can get over their own feelings about tweets and things [Trump] says and look at the bigger picture with where our economy is now,” one told a New York Times focus group. “When eggs are $6 for a dozen, how many feelings do you really need to have?”
“It used to be $1, or even 99 cents,” Samuel Negron, a Pennsylvania state constable, added in a BBC interview. “A lot of us have woken up, in my opinion, from Democratic lies that things have been better. We realized things were better then.”
Ultimately, about nine in 10 voters said they were very or somewhat concerned about the cost of groceries, according to Associated Press exit polling.
“Grocery prices have skyrocketed,” Trump said at an August press conference. “When I win, I will immediately bring prices down.”
Prices keep rising under Trump
But the problem for Trump is that egg prices did not plummet “immediately” upon his return to the Oval Office. In fact, they have shot up to a record high of more than $7 per dozen since the start of 2025 — and now Democrats are blaming him for the hike, just like he blamed Harris and Biden.
In truth, no president can magically lower the price of eggs with the stroke of a pen. But Warren & Co. are arguing that Trump can do more to combat the bird-flu outbreak and help eventually ease prices by “encouraging competition and fighting price gouging at each level of the food supply chain.”
Not helping matters, they say, is the fact that the Trump administration has now “canceled a string of scientific meetings and instructed federal health officials to refrain from all public communications, including upcoming reports focused on the nation’s escalating bird flu crisis,” according to the New York Times.
When asked about egg prices Tuesday, Leavitt, the White House press secretary, implied that the standard biosecurity protocol of culling an entire flock after one chicken tests positive for bird flu was somehow inappropriate and might not continue in the future.
“The Biden administration and the Department of Agriculture directed the mass killing of more than 100 million chickens, which has led to a lack of chicken supply in this country,” Leavitt said. “This is an example of why it’s so incredibly important that the Senate moves swiftly to confirm all of President Trump’s nominees, including his nominee for the United States Department of Agriculture.”
What’s next?
Elsewhere, the administration has pointed to Trump’s day-one executive order asking the “heads of all executive departments and agencies to deliver emergency price relief, consistent with applicable law, to the American people and increase the prosperity of the American worker.” Trump and Vance have also insisted that their plan to increase domestic energy production will eventually lower food prices.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day,” Vance told CBS News on Sunday. “How does bacon get to the grocery store? It comes on trucks that are fueled by diesel fuel. If the diesel is way too expensive, the bacon is going to become more expensive. How do we grow the bacon? Our farmers need energy to produce it. So if we lower energy prices, we are going to see lower prices for consumers, and that is what we’re trying to fight for.”
“I think that energy is going to bring [prices] down,” Trump told Time magazine last month. “I think a better supply chain is going to bring them down.”
Yet when Time asked Trump if his second term would be “a failure” absent falling grocery prices, Trump said no.
“I’d like to bring them down,” he added, but “it’s hard to bring things down once they’re up. You know, it’s very hard.”
In a recent turn of events, Democrats have been quick to blame former President Donald Trump for the soaring prices of eggs, just like Trump previously blamed President Joe Biden for various issues. But the question remains: can anyone actually fix the problem?The price of eggs has been steadily increasing in recent months, causing concern among consumers and politicians alike. Democrats have pointed to Trump’s policies and trade wars as contributing factors to the rising costs, while Trump himself has argued that Biden’s administration has mishandled the economy, leading to inflation and higher prices across the board.
But the reality is that the issue of soaring egg prices is a complex one that cannot be easily attributed to any single individual or policy. Factors such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased demand from consumers all play a role in driving up prices.
So, can anyone actually fix the problem? The truth is, there is no easy solution. It will likely require a combination of government intervention, market forces, and consumer behavior to address the issue and bring prices back down to a more reasonable level.
In the meantime, consumers may have to adjust their shopping habits and be prepared to pay a little more for their eggs. And politicians on both sides of the aisle will need to work together to find long-term solutions to prevent similar price spikes in the future. Only time will tell if the soaring egg prices can be effectively addressed and if anyone can truly fix the problem.
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- Egg prices
- Biden
- Political blame game
- Rising food costs
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- Bipartisan cooperation
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