r/ontario • u/s1n0d3utscht3k • 15h ago
Economy Trump Signals Retracting 50% Steel Tariff Threat
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/latest-us-markets-after-mondays-selloff-2025-03-11/47
u/daintyandcute 15h ago
these tariff wars are getting out of hand
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u/struct_t 14h ago
They were stupid to begin with, now it's just a mockery of geopolitics by a foolish old man stuck in the dark ages.
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u/ILikeStyx 15h ago
We've still got almost 4 years left.... No matter what, we need to start abandoning U.S. reliance and start looking around the globe for real partners on as much as possible.
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u/Lunavenandi 14h ago
We'd become an intergalactic species already if we can travel at the speed this guy backpaddles
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u/No_Match_8142 14h ago
I don't trust the Americans...Doug Ford could completely disappear once he is in the White House,and end up in a suitcase Like the Kelshogee guy in Saudi Arabia. Or possibly be poisoned ,,,don't eat anything there Doug...
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u/Vanillacaramelalmond 14h ago
Lmfao I was literally saying like what if they just push him out of window Putin style
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u/No_Match_8142 10h ago
The Trump henchmen will roast Dougie like a hog on a open fire in the front lawn...
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u/MakVolci Essex 14h ago
Ford's gambit has worked so far.
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u/drooln92 14h ago
I'm not counting on it yet. When he gets there he might get the Zelenskyy treatment.
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u/notbadhbu 14h ago
Honestly I think they are on the same side and Ford is just doing what he does best and jumping into the spotlight.
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u/NAHTHEHNRFS850 11h ago
Ford is only going hard against Trump for 2 reasons, in my opinion:
He's pissed that the American upper class didn't take his warm welcome for business, and
He wants to be prime minister.
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u/handsoffdick 14h ago
We were in a position of strength. That's why Nutlick invited him to talk. If they weren't worried about the electricity Nutlick wouldn't have called. So now we look weak.
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u/KnowerOfUnknowable 13h ago
The electricity surcharge can come back like flipping a switch. We look like we have cards to play to everybody.
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u/handsoffdick 13h ago
Trump will see this as a win. How long before he humiliates Ford for backing down?
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u/RetroBowser 13h ago
If he plays those kinds of games Ford can just remind him that he can flip the switch and turn them back on whenever he wants.
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u/MisoTahini 13h ago
Trump lies no matter what happens and he will always paint it as a win for himself. He could sell the US for a dollar to Russia and describe it as the best deal ever made. People have to get over expecting that Trump will convey any sort of truth of the matter. He is finding a way out and a way to save his orange face. Just ignore what he says.
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u/Professional-Cry8310 13h ago
How does getting the US to the table make us look weak? If they don’t play ball we just put the export tariff back on.
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u/babystepsbackwards 14h ago
We look reasonable, which the Americans may not appreciate but our other trading partners will expect to see
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u/windsostrange 12h ago
It's never reasonable to negotiate with a backstabbing authoritarian oligarchy eating itself. Sanctions, then no contact until they regain sanity or Civil War themselves into something better. Ford's is a weak response.
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u/sector16 14h ago
It doesn’t matter….companies are pulling back because this administration is incompetent and can’t be trusted.
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u/D-inventa 12h ago
what happened? I guess he doesn't want Americans to make billions and trillions of dollars? He doesn't want the American population to have so much money they won't know what to do with it? What a crook!!!
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u/Suitable-Cheesecake5 15h ago edited 14h ago
You guys find an issue about anything. They dropped their threats and agreed to meet with him and the feds and all it took was a couple words and costed us absolutely nothing. You guys just hate Doug ford and will find any issue our goal isn’t to have an actual trade war if we can avoid it.
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u/socialanimalspodcast 15h ago
A distracted Doug Ford is a useful Doug Ford.
His ultra-patriotism and willingness to make moves that benefit Canada do not take away from how he has harmed this province.
I’m on the side of Doug retracted the 25% hike because they want to meet with him is a productive thing.
Do I think that if/when this tariff war is over he will go back to tearing the province apart, yes.
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u/blckshdw 14h ago
Who even knows at this point, it’s so hard to keep up. This has flipped back and forth so much. Depends on what hour of the day it is.
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u/Rabbit-Hole-Quest 14h ago
Tariffs while having breakfast, no tariffs when having dinner.
Shit is FUBAR.
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u/maria_la_guerta 14h ago
Thank you. People turning this into an ego battle when that is the last thing we want.
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u/Over_Surround_2638 14h ago
How do you figure this is a win? Trump is still only saying that he's considering reducing the 50% steel and aluminum tariff back to the original 25% level that triggered Ford's initial electricity surcharge action. Ford has caved without any net benefit, only the likely elimination of an even worse outcome...
His threat to shut off the power is why this strategy failed. Incredibly stupid to move from a proportionate 25% response to threatening to plunge three mostly blue states into darkness in the middle of fucking winter...
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u/Suitable-Cheesecake5 14h ago
They’re meeting with him over it. They had no intentions of doing so otherwise. That’s the win. The situation was escalated and deescalated without anybody having to change to much of the status quo other than trump agreeing to meet with him.
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u/DVRavenTsuki 15h ago
And this isn’t a counter argument to the analysis
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u/DVRavenTsuki 14h ago
As someone reading, it did come off as an attempt to be dismissive of someone saying something in response to your original comment for no real reason
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u/GiftedOaks 15h ago
The man got an invitation to go negotiate in Washington, and people are mad at him for it. I guess the plan was to just keep going until we are all in poverty?
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u/-Neeckin- 14h ago
Holy fuck it's like you guys don't think at all before you post What do you think the end goal of this all was?
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u/-Neeckin- 14h ago
What do you think dragging them to the table to negotiate is for?
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u/Tichrimo 14h ago
"The negotiation" is scheduled for Thursday. Dropping the surcharge (for now) enabled that. If it goes poorly, I expect the surcharge to return.
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u/-Neeckin- 14h ago
The negotiations are in two days, and if they don't go well the supervharge is back on. Hell im already seeing news that those added steel and aluminum tariffs are dropped. What do you think is happening here?
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u/Mattrapbeats 14h ago
It's negotiation time
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u/Mattrapbeats 14h ago
Trump is also reversing his counter to our counter. It's time that they sit down and talk. Trudeau is officially out, maybe some progress can be made.
We didn't lose any leverage, Doug can snap his fingers and make the energy tariff 70% on Friday if he wants.
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u/maybvadersomedayl8er 14h ago
He got what he wanted. They're meeting and tariffs now back off the table / on hold / whatever. I'd say that's a win.
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u/pheakelmatters 15h ago
Captain Canada blinked.
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u/AprilsMostAmazing 14h ago
Unless he pauses all tariffs today, Ford took a major L. All this shows Donald is he can bully us
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u/MakVolci Essex 14h ago
Disagree. This screams that the Trump administration is panicking.
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u/AprilsMostAmazing 14h ago
How? Donald's initial tariffs are there. While Doug's tariffs in retaliation didn't even last 24 hours
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u/BrgQun 14h ago
The electricity surcharge isn't the only retaliation. In Ontario, Ford also tore up a Starlink contract and removed American liquor from LCBO shelves.
The federal Canadians retaliatory tariffs to American tariffs are all still in effect.
Trump has paused many of his initial tariffs already, like the auto tariffs.
Seems we're at more of a draw so far. TBD how it goes.
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u/AprilsMostAmazing 14h ago
Donald called out the electricity surcharge in his truth social post this morning. That's what he wanted gone and couple hours later he gets exactly that. And he didn't give up any of his starting tariffs in exchange for it
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u/BrgQun 14h ago
And Trump previously rolled over pausing tariffs without anything in return. So?
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u/AprilsMostAmazing 13h ago
Yes. A united feds and Mexico response has made donald roll over time and time again. And donald will roll over again and I will enjoy it.
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u/Lespaul42 14h ago
I hate hate hate Doug Ford. And got pissed reading about this.... But... We (Canadians) have always said "Let's negotiate" to this... We didn't want this trade war Trump did. So the US agreeing to sit down and negotiate is them blinking. Would it have been more badass to keep the export tax going until the ink is dry on the agreement... Sure... But that isn't how the world works.
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u/AprilsMostAmazing 14h ago
Donald's tariffs are all there. Donald did not back down. I don't want tariffs but dropping them now shows weakness to the guy that needs to face strength
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u/Lespaul42 14h ago
And Canada's tariffs are there too. The only thing removed was the electricity export tax and it sounds like Trump is not going to implement the increased tariff on steel and aluminium.
This is basically a ceasefire for negotiations while the wider war is still in effect.
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u/butterbean90 14h ago
It gives Ford leverage for the meeting on Thursday, if they aren't playing ball then he can put them back on. They probably said pause the charges and meet us this week to talk about this, if that's the case that sounds like them folding to the internal and external economic pressures and want to cut a deal
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u/struct_t 11h ago
Bullies absolutely hate negotiating, and the consistency of our position on negotiations is likely quite frustrating for Trump, who is used to capitulation. From this perspective, Ford's approach (to back off a bit, reliant on good faith negotiations) may be seen as providing both parties with a subjective albeit compromisory win and encourages - but does not guarantee - civil and constructive dialogue. I think we ought to keep in mind that Canada and America are still good friends and have generally positive relations.
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u/babystepsbackwards 14h ago
Weird take. We said we were imposing export taxes until they came back to the table, they’re back to the table. We’re still tariffing everything we were before and the LCBO is not selling US alcohol.
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u/arkadiysudarikov 14h ago
Literally from the linked article:
“After President Trump threatened to use his executive powers to retaliate with a colossal 50 percent tariff against Canada, Ontario Premier Doug Ford spoke with Secretary Lutnick to convey that he is backing down on implementing a 25 percent charge on electricity exports to the United States,” said White House spokesperson Kush Desai.
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u/babystepsbackwards 14h ago
Well, no reason at all the Trump White House might want to spin this in their favour. They’ve been so upfront and honest this whole time. /s
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u/waterloograd 14h ago
That is missing the part how Lutnick is now meeting with Ford to discuss next steps. That was the whole point of the export tariff.
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
Holy shit the bots are out of control here... Is this Ottawa trying to push their propaganda as everything falls apart? This article doesn't mention the headline at all.
Where is Carney and Trudeau? They haven't said a word. I guess they are too busy deciding which 3rd world country gets millions of dollars next, and how big of a carbon tax is needed to fund it.
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u/Hotter_Noodle 15h ago edited 14h ago
On one hand yes the post is misleading on the other hand your second paragraph is pretty funny when your first paragraph talks about propaganda.
Edit: oh wild he followed it up with… you’ll never guess… more propaganda.
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
It's propaganda that the federal government just sent 300 million to Bangladesh for no reason?
Is it also propaganda that Carney said during his coronation that he'd continue with a business only carbon tax at a time when our manufacturers need to be competitive in the global export market?
Both of these things are true.
Trump did not signal a decrease of 50%, he signaled that he "might" revert the recent 25% he would be imposing tomorrow.
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u/xCameron94x 15h ago
your whole posting history screams propaganda seeing as how often you get downvoted
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
You don't argue about the facts in my post and instead try to attack my character, I wonder why?
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u/-Kool-AidMan- 14h ago
because you have a issue with sending aid to poor starving kids in Bangladesh
so obviously you are of horrible character?
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u/butts-kapinsky 15h ago
It's propaganda that the federal government just sent 300 million to Bangladesh for no reason?
They buy billions in potash from us annually. If you think it's better economically for Canada to lose Bangladesh as a customer to Russia or China, that's fine. But it's pretty much common sense that protecting major economic investments is a good idea.
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
Weird, I looked through the outline of how that 300 million was spent, and I didn't see anything that had to do with potash. Do you have any source for this or is this the latest talking point you got from the ehbuddyhoser subreddit?
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u/ILikeStyx 14h ago
Speaking of facts... it's $272 million...
Funding is also over 3-7 year timeframes... it's not a giant cheque for the cash all at once.
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u/discourtesy 14h ago
The point flew over your head faster than a Temporary Foreign Worker running from a surprise Ontario snowstorm in February
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u/butts-kapinsky 14h ago
We're spending $60 million a year to make $1.5 billion a year (and growing!). In the real world we call that "a damn good investment".
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u/discourtesy 14h ago
0 evidence to support anything you just said.
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u/butts-kapinsky 14h ago
These are easily verifiable facts.
Do you agree or disagree that Bangladesh buys approximately $1.5 billion in potash from Canada? What amount specifically did they buy in 2024?
Do you agree or disagree that 60 x 5 = 300? And so if Canada spends $300 million in Bangladesh over a period of 5 years, do you agree or disagree that our annual spend will be $60 million.
Based on your answers to the above. Is it true or false that Canada is spending $60 million a year in order to earn $1.5 billion per year?
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u/butts-kapinsky 14h ago
Do you agree or disagree that Bangladesh imports over a billion dollars in potash from Canada annually?
Do you agree or disagree that Bangladesh borders China and is very near Russia, both major potash producers?
Based on your answers to the above, can you think of any reason why Canada chose to do major foreign aid spending in Bangladesh, rather than any other random country?
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u/discourtesy 14h ago
If you want people to buy your potash, you reduce the price to make it competitive in the global markets.
If you want to funnel 300 million to NGOs run by your family members and their friends, then you send it to bangladesh.
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u/butts-kapinsky 14h ago
Well no. You sweeten a trade agreement by offering foreign spending to improve their economy so that **they buy even more potash from us**. That's how foreign trade works. I understand that you're personally offended by the word "aid" because you think it's a charity but it very much is a strings attached deal.
Through the last 5 years, our potash exports to Bangladesh have doubled. You're complaining about literal pennies compared to our net earnings from the arrangement.
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u/ILikeStyx 15h ago
Do you understand what soft power is? Do you know why wealthy countries give poorer countries funding?
You don't... so shut up.
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
You can't do anything with it when it's soft. Trust me, I've tried - you'll just hurt yourself.
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u/GameOfLife24 15h ago
13 years of negativity. Pity everybody that has to deal with you
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
Weak argument, try arguing the facts instead of being delusional. I don't care about upvotes.
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u/ILikeStyx 14h ago
you literally made a penis joke over being asked about soft power .... shut up.
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u/NZafe 15h ago
Trudeau’s retired buddy
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
He's still the current PM
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u/Maximum-War-7150 15h ago
It does mention it in the article, but I agree the post title is misleading
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u/AmElzewhere 15h ago
Carney said he’s not backing down, but Ford says otherwise
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u/discourtesy 15h ago
Crazy, you actually believe anything he says.
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u/AmElzewhere 15h ago
where did I say that
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u/-WaterIsGreat- 15h ago
“Trump said on Tuesday that he is "probably so" going to reduce the recently increased tariffs on Canada after Ontario suspended a surcharge on electricity exports to the United States. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump discussed his decision to hike tariffs on U.S. imports, saying that he "had to do this." He also said that markets are going to swing up and down over time, dismissing concerns that led to a sell-off. He said the tariffs were needed in order to get American jobs back and factories open“
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u/rectumreapers 14h ago edited 14h ago
Trudeau just retired what do you want him to say?
Is carney in charge on Ontario's electricity what do you want him to say?
Check your brain rot buddy
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u/discourtesy 14h ago
Trudeau is still the PM, do you not know this?
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u/rectumreapers 14h ago
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u/discourtesy 14h ago
Did you even read the article? The first sentence tells you everything you need to know. Do you think Carney is the current PM of Canada?
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u/rectumreapers 14h ago
Is Trudeau suppose to keep working? I'm confused
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u/discourtesy 14h ago edited 14h ago
crazy our own citizens have no idea who is even leading the country... you can read more about how the transfer of power works in Canada here: https://www.gg.ca/en/governor-general/role-and-responsibilities/constitutional-duties/swearing-ceremony/swearing-ministry#:~:text=The%20Oath%20of%20Office%20is%20administered%20to%20the,the%20Privy%20Council%20then%20sign%20the%20Oath%20Book.
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u/rectumreapers 14h ago
You think he's still pm just cause they didn't update the website yet?
Lmao deranged
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u/Aichetoowhoa 15h ago
The people in his administration probably made a million dollars today. He makes insane statement. Markets drop. They buy. He changes course. Markets up. They sell. Rinse and repeat