You see, Trump thinks he is sitting on an asset that every one wants, the American consumer. But, there are 340 million people in the US.
If you draw a circle around India, coastal China, and Singapore, that includes half of the world's population. 4 billion people. I did a deep dive on the world cellular phone market, and found that the US as a market is an after thought. Phones are designed for Asia/Indian consumers, the same people who build them.
US, less than 20% of most markets.
Name an American cellular phone company... Motorola? A division of Lenova, the Chinese computer company. The US office and brand name is just marketing for Lenovo rebranded phones. And I am still considering getting the best one I can afford, because they offer a good value/ cost ratio.
Those phones were designed for the SE Asian consumer. People who need value vs cost. Just like me, a poor American. Me and the world market are in sync. Good thing I am looking at an older phone, no new tarrifs.
@Urban_Hermit It's really weird reading "Best Android Phone" articles from US media. a) they think US$500 is mid-range, b) they don't have any cheap phones, c) they're missing so many brands!
My family all have Motorolas. And for the paranoid, I note that I'd much rather have the Chinese government spying on me than the USA government, not least because the Chinese aren't a member of the Five Eyes.
Hmm, isn't that exactly why those American consumers are a powerful lure, even if they are a small fraction of the world's population? They are a large fraction of the rich markets, where you can sell 500 dollar phones.
It's not just phones though. In nominal currency, the US accounts for around 35% of the world's consumption.
Urban Hermit
Thomas Beagle
Marius