Yesterday I found Trump’s opening salvos in his trade wars confusing.
Applying 25% tariffs to Mexico and Canada for the same ostensible reason—fentanyl and illegal immigrants—made no sense given it only comes through Mexico.
I theorised that the Canadian add-on was personal to Trump in light of Justin Trudeau’s poor relationship with him.
Thinking it through, there is a reason for Trump’s north and south attack.
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He’s within the enterprise of constructing Fortress America, to make his individuals imagine of their nation and its boundaries, so giving all borders the identical remedy is smart.
I urge you to observe Robert Lighthizer on 60 Minutes to get a way of Group Trump.
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Lighthizer proposes “strategic decoupling” from China.
He argues that China has been profitable the commerce struggle for thirty years, and it’s time to flip that round as a result of China is a menace to the US lifestyle.
However Lighthizer is just not a part of Group Trump time round, and I ponder how pretend this makes Fortress America.
The transient Mexican and Canadian tariff episodes recommend it isn’t overly actual. The ten% utilized to China is a nothingburger.
There may be additionally the immigration “bait and swap” which arms the borders however opens the floodgates for these flying over them.
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Definitely, Trump is to not be trusted. If China have been to throw billions into Trumpcoin, I think his fortress throw open the portcullis.
Nevertheless, it might nonetheless be unwise to make coverage upon this assumption.
For Australia, Fortress America, with secured borders and provide chains, is just not unhealthy.
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We now have crucial minerals America wants and a robust hand to play in Pacific freedom.
No one within the Trump administration has ever recommended that it abandon the Pacific, and there’s no purpose to assume it might accomplish that provided that it is much better off holding China as far-off as attainable.
An actual Fortress America would imply significantly higher strain on Australia to morph itself into an anti-China spearhead.
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Pretend Fortress America will say so, too, however not insist upon decoupling.
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