Things My Daughter Never Told Me!

In the news last week were tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on all goods imported into the country.  Those taxes, plus threats of additional tariffs on any nation with the temerity to respond, are causing the largest economic disturbance by intention in humankind’s history. 

Those taxes, compounded by concerns for Trump’s impulsiveness raised fears of a recession, which now seems imminent. 

THE uncertainty set my DM’s abuzz with questions, though it always seemed the same one: what does this all mean? A question worthy of an oracle, though only #DanCalkins has private access to one of those. 

Leaving the rest to settle for me. 

An ongoing consulting engagement with an international sundry manufacturer has me sprinting for the foxholes seeking cover in Trump’s trade war, each Truth Social post a grenade killing another hour of my retirement.   

But more than mere disturbance Trump’s tariffs will be dramatic in their effects on American and Canadian paint retailers, who may be about to experience significant shifts in buying patterns.

Because Trump’s tariffs are only part of the problem!

Like most industrial outputs the humble paint brush is born from an international supply chain.  And while there are domestic manufacturers, most of the ferules and handles which make up the brush come from China and Southeast Asia.  As do nearly all of the filaments on the market today.

And the ones planned for introduction.

American and Canadian brush manufacturers are just now calculating the impacts of the tariffs, making it too too early to tell how high prices will go. But considering that Trump has added a 54% tax on all brushes from China with another 50% threatened at the time of this writing, I'm expecting a very significant increase.

Explaining why it's not just paint dealers looking for an oracle.  

I worked 12-hours each of the first three days last week, another impact of the tariffs, combined with my desire to keep the remaining week free to I visit my brothers at the Universities of Hartford and Connecticut.

Without the disturbance of calls along the way; a semi-retired rule of the road.      

THE visit was to celebrate the graduating seniors, the second time I’ve had that honor as the chapter’s advisor.  Over dinner my brothers cheered each other’s accomplishments, sharing stories of life on a college campus which my daughter never shared.

Between the tales they shared their plans for their next steps, onto law and med schools, corporate work and entrepreneurial journeys.  And they’ll depart with an enthusiasm which borders on sanguine, one of many benefits of that stage in life. 

But it’s hearing them speak of our shared values which compels my ongoing connection, our sacred vow to live lives steeped in acts of brotherhood and charity.

A promise which spans eras and allows our eternal connection.

And it’s not just the solemn on which we connect but also the vices, which as seniors were free to discuss, allowing conversations on the state’s best dispensaries and best sports betting apps.

Because vices haven’t changed much since 1981.

THE dinner at UConn was hurriedly rescheduled to an earlier time which strained the definition of the word dinner, though it was all in a good cause. The change allowed my brothers to dine-and-dash, joining the underclassmen at Gampel Pavillion to see the lady Huskies play UCLA in the College Basketball National Championship semifinal game. 

THE watch party was students only relegating me to the lobby bar at the campus hotel, making my night slightly less exciting than the one my brothers had!

A Husky win and my brothers’ enthusiasm incited me to reload my own FanDual account before the final game, though I had not placed a bet since the College Football National Championships.  Mostly due to my time constraints, though a bad beat that day left a scar despite the Buckeye win. 

One I did not expect to fade, until the moment that it did!