China, Chips and Iron Man's Autos | tastylive
Luckbox digest

China, Chips and Iron Man's Autos

By:James Melton

A weekly look inside Luckbox magazine

Why a resurgent trade war with China is a bad idea

Being tough on trade with China is popular with voters, even though many economists say tariffs ultimately raise prices for consumers. So, it's not surprising that the contenders for the White House are showing their willingness to engage in a trade war with that country.

us china trade wars
Image generated with Dall-e 3

Donald Trump says he plans to raise import duties on many of the country’s trading partners if he’s re-elected to the White House. Meanwhile President Joe Biden recently announced new tariffs on Chinese imports, with an emphasis on the green energy sector.

On May 10, The Wall Street Journal reported that tariffs on Chinese-made EVs will likely quadruple under the new tariff regime, jumping from 25% to 100%, or more. While that makes for a compelling headline, it’s important to note Chinese EV exports to the U.S. are already minimal. The EV-focused tariffs are therefore mostly symbolic and intended to send a message, as opposed to an actual punitive measure against China.

Is any of this good for the U.S. economy, or at least useful for modifying Chinese behavior? Probably not, Luckbox contributor Andrew Prochnow argues in a blog post out this week.

He says a flare-up in the trade war would almost certainly weigh on the U.S. stock market and could also spur a rebound in inflation. Read the whole story.

Microchip giant Intel bets big

Intel (INTC) reorganized its foundry division and is working hard to improve its capability to produce the world’s most advanced semiconductors.

Intel Robert Noyce

Intel is enhancing its in-house production capabilities and expanding its ability to serve external customers. This puts Intel in direct competition with contract foundries like Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) and Samsung Foundry (SSNLF).

The new foundry division—Intel Foundry—is a fully autonomous business unit within Intel. It has a strong focus on delivering advanced process and packaging technologies and a broad intellectual property (IP) portfolio. Intel strategically positioned the initiative to capitalize on the growing demand for semiconductor manufacturing outside Asia. That reflects the need for a more geographically diversified supply chain in the semiconductor industry. Read the whole story

Iron man's steel fetish

How do you make a dream car? When Chris Mazzilli and his team of experts took on the challenge of transforming six vintage classics for movie star Robert Downey Jr., restoration wasn’t enough.

1969 Mercedes Benz
Image courtesy of Dream Car Restorations/CMC Motors

Mazzilli, founder of Dream Car Restorations/CMC Motors, worked with his team to make each vehicle—which included a 1969 Mercedes Benz once owned by Downey’s mother—into a cleaner-greener version of itself. The project was the basis for Downey’s Max TV series Downey’s Dream Cars.

The Downey cars are like projects the shop has taken on for other clients, Mazzilli said. But Downey took things a step farther, Mazzilli told Luckbox. Read the whole story.

Read the latest edition of Luckbox magazine here.

Not receiving Luckbox? Subscribe for free at getluckbox.com.

James Melton is managing editor of Luckbox magazine. @JDMeltonWriter

For live daily programming, market news and commentary, visit tastylive or the YouTube channels tastylive (for options traders), and tastyliveTrending for stocks, futures, forex & macro. 

Trade with a better brokeropen a tastytrade account today. tastylive, Inc. and tastytrade, Inc. are separate but affiliated companies. 


Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options before deciding to invest in options.

Related Posts

tastylive content is created, produced, and provided solely by tastylive, Inc. (“tastylive”) and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, trading or investment advice or a recommendation that any security, futures contract, digital asset, other product, transaction, or investment strategy is suitable for any person. Trading securities, futures products, and digital assets involve risk and may result in a loss greater than the original amount invested. tastylive, through its content, financial programming or otherwise, does not provide investment or financial advice or make investment recommendations. Investment information provided may not be appropriate for all investors and is provided without respect to individual investor financial sophistication, financial situation, investing time horizon or risk tolerance. tastylive is not in the business of transacting securities trades, nor does it direct client commodity accounts or give commodity trading advice tailored to any particular client’s situation or investment objectives. Supporting documentation for any claims (including claims made on behalf of options programs), comparisons, statistics, or other technical data, if applicable, will be supplied upon request. tastylive is not a licensed financial adviser, registered investment adviser, or a registered broker-dealer.  Options, futures, and futures options are not suitable for all investors.  Prior to trading securities, options, futures, or futures options, please read the applicable risk disclosures, including, but not limited to, the Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options Disclosure and the Futures and Exchange-Traded Options Risk Disclosure found on tastytrade.com/disclosures.

tastytrade, Inc. ("tastytrade”) is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA, NFA, and SIPC. tastytrade was previously known as tastyworks, Inc. (“tastyworks”). tastytrade offers self-directed brokerage accounts to its customers. tastytrade does not give financial or trading advice, nor does it make investment recommendations. You alone are responsible for making your investment and trading decisions and for evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of tastytrade’s systems, services or products. tastytrade is a wholly-owned subsidiary of tastylive, Inc.

tastytrade has entered into a Marketing Agreement with tastylive (“Marketing Agent”) whereby tastytrade pays compensation to Marketing Agent to recommend tastytrade’s brokerage services. The existence of this Marketing Agreement should not be deemed as an endorsement or recommendation of Marketing Agent by tastytrade. tastytrade and Marketing Agent are separate entities with their own products and services. tastylive is the parent company of tastytrade.

tastycrypto is provided solely by tasty Software Solutions, LLC. tasty Software Solutions, LLC is a separate but affiliate company of tastylive, Inc. Neither tastylive nor any of its affiliates are responsible for the products or services provided by tasty Software Solutions, LLC. Cryptocurrency trading is not suitable for all investors due to the number of risks involved. The value of any cryptocurrency, including digital assets pegged to fiat currency, commodities, or any other asset, may go to zero.

© copyright 2013 - 2024 tastylive, Inc. All Rights Reserved.  Applicable portions of the Terms of Use on tastylive.com apply.  Reproduction, adaptation, distribution, public display, exhibition for profit, or storage in any electronic storage media in whole or in part is prohibited under penalty of law, provided that you may download tastylive’s podcasts as necessary to view for personal use. tastylive was previously known as tastytrade, Inc. tastylive is a trademark/servicemark owned by tastylive, Inc.