Everything, yes, everything, Trump is doing makes perfect sense, once it's recognized as being part of Putin's plan to weaken America, and to demonstrate to the the world that governments based on democratic principles and ideals simply don't work. As Professor Tim Snyder pointed out, there is absolutely nothing Putin can do to make Russia stronger, but by weakening other governments he comes out way ahead in the balance of power. Trump is serving Putin's agenda well, serving ably as Putin's useful fool.
Chris Murphy had an IG post this week arguing that the tariffs aren't economic policy at all. He says they're meant to force U.S. companies to ask Trump for relief, which will allow him to demand fealty and get things in return. In other words, Trump knows very well (despite saying otherwise) that tariffs are paid by importers, not the exporting governments, and he's using that fact to get leverage on American companies.
I generally admire Murphy quite a bit. That theory strikes me as a little far-fetched, but I don't think we can put anything past Trump at this point. Anything that could be seen as a way for him to accrue more power should be seen that way, until we have reason to believe otherwise.
Everything, yes, everything, Trump is doing makes perfect sense, once it's recognized as being part of Putin's plan to weaken America, and to demonstrate to the the world that governments based on democratic principles and ideals simply don't work. As Professor Tim Snyder pointed out, there is absolutely nothing Putin can do to make Russia stronger, but by weakening other governments he comes out way ahead in the balance of power. Trump is serving Putin's agenda well, serving ably as Putin's useful fool.
Chris Murphy had an IG post this week arguing that the tariffs aren't economic policy at all. He says they're meant to force U.S. companies to ask Trump for relief, which will allow him to demand fealty and get things in return. In other words, Trump knows very well (despite saying otherwise) that tariffs are paid by importers, not the exporting governments, and he's using that fact to get leverage on American companies.
I generally admire Murphy quite a bit. That theory strikes me as a little far-fetched, but I don't think we can put anything past Trump at this point. Anything that could be seen as a way for him to accrue more power should be seen that way, until we have reason to believe otherwise.