r/politics • u/sweatycat New York • 1d ago

California to Negotiate Trade With Other Countries to Bypass Trump Tariffs

https://www.newsweek.com/california-newsom-trade-trump-tariffs-2055414
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u/airemy_lin 1d ago

The stepping stones for American balkanization.

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u/kittenTakeover 1d ago

American balkanization is horrible idea for American's FYI.

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u/Guilty-Shoulder-9214 1d ago

For many, yes. Because California and the east coast bankroll them. However, for the east coast and California, it’s likely a smart move. I’d totally vote to go along with California if it were offered to the western and rocky states minus Utah.

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u/External-Tiger-393 1d ago

Do you know how much violence and instability (which adds to violence but also creates social and economic crises) that balkanization has? It's probably the worst thing that could happen as a result of this presidency. Balkanization isn't peaceful, it's horrifying, and it should scare you.

I'd love if California could peacefully secede from the union and maybe bring Washington, Colorado and Oregon with it -- but let's be honest, that can't happen. And an armed secession only works (historically speaking) with backing from a foreign power, and I don't think we're gonna get the same deal that the revolutionary Americans got with France where they got funding, supplies and troops without giving up independence or power.

For example, neither Canada nor Mexico has any reason to back a secession effort; any country that does is probably hostile to both us and the US as a whole. It's not great.

Technically the corridor I just mentioned could join Canada, if they wanted us... But then we'd make the majority of Canada's population, which isn't a great deal for a democracy.

However, I'd love to see a real life New California Republic. Because I live in California now, and the state flag looks so fucking wrong when the bear has only one head.

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u/Guilty-Shoulder-9214 1d ago

There’s no doubt it’d be violent, but empires only last around 250 years before a reset is needed and right now, this nation and its leaders are not in the position to make that reset happen especially when you have a cabal of ultra wealthy individuals, with foreign backings, trying to consolidate wealth while tech bros are creaming themselves over the possibility of cyberpunk 2077 style, neofeudal states they think they have the power to manifest.

Division is inevitable at this point. I don’t really see any other path forward as long as the current state system and its senate continue to exist.

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u/Papayaslice636 1d ago

Balkanization in the US is unthinkable, I can't begin to imagine the logistics and consequences. The thought sure sounds nice on paper but thinking it through...does CA get to keep the nukes in the state? Whats to guarantee the US won't invade the same way Russia just invaded Ukraine? What about the naval bases in SD and SF? What about the 1000+ mile unsecured border with the rest of the country? USA is too big to fail...idk how to move forward...

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u/baked_couch_potato 1d ago

that violent secession is the only way California is not under the heel of a trumpian empire a decade from now

America is over, dude. so it's either balkanization in which the non fascist states form their own coalitions or every state ends up like Florida and Texas and Ohio and all the other states going out of their way to kill trans people, deport brown people, and let women bleed to death in hospital parking lots

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u/usmclvsop America 1d ago

You’re assuming California remains being controlled by people you agree with in the aftermath. That’s not a guarantee. musk could decide he wants to be king of Cali and hire millions of mercenaries to control the state. Maybe it means bioterrorism with weapons provided by Russia. It’s dangerous to assume the right side will come out on top.

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u/Absurdkale 1d ago

The right side is already not on top.

The better solution is one that will keep our country together clearly. But I think current events has shredded any notion more than a third of this country can vote beyond "hur hur, commie liberals, hur hur"

We're at a point where political norms and institutions that have kept this country together despite turmoil and partisan bullshit have been shattered in a matter of mere months.

I'm not saying I want balkanization, because it would ultimately be risky and likely violent, but also I don't hold out hope we come back from this as a unified country aymore.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago edited 1d ago

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u/usmclvsop America 1d ago

Oh this same comment by another username…hi bot!