Comment on Trump Mobile launches $47 service and a gold phone
CaptDust@sh.itjust.works 2 days agoI believe the Made in USA Labeling Act passed 2021 would prevent following the Moto X approach of just final assembly, but I suppose it’s up to trump’s FTC to make the final call regardless, easy enough for them to issue an exception.
Ulrich@feddit.org 2 days ago
They don’t need to issue an exception, they can just turn a blind eye. And considering Trump appointed the chair of the FTC with one of his loyalists (like every other branch) that seems likely.
Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
Thing is, there’s going to be a lot of public attention on that “Made in the USA” claim, given how central it is to Trump’s domestic and foreign policy.
Sure, the FCC can turn a blind eye, but all it takes is for one worker at the assembly plant to call up a journalist. And let’s face, and journalist worth their salt is going to be hanging around every bar near that place. Even trying to screen specifically for MAGA friendly workers won’t help them much when one of those workers feels betrayed by how much of Trump’s product is actually coming from China.
My point is, there’s no good way to keep this under wraps. If they don’t actually build this thing in the US, word is going to get around, and it’s going to be seen as a total repudiation of Trump’s entire tariff strategy.
CaptDust@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
Trump team is already walking it back after they started taking preorders and a journalist found the model. They’re now claiming they meant to say it could eventually be made in America. It’s a $170 Chinese phone they’re marking up to $500
Ulrich@feddit.org 2 days ago
He has done and said much worse things. No one cares. The people buying these phones will never hear about it.
Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works 2 days ago
The difference, you have to remember, is that the worse stuff is all hurting the people they want him to hurt. But betraying his made in America promises hurts the people who voted for him. That’s when they suddenly start to care.