Trump is a world-class ignoramus.
Prior to taking office in January, he claimed he’d sort out the Ukraine situation on day one. On that undertaking Putin played him like a fiddle.
Meanwhile his tariffs proposition have left global money markets in turmoil. He dismisses that now, after the event, as “medicine”, necessary to “reform” the system.
God knows where it will all end, possibly with an assassin’s bullet.
Better still, hopefully common sense prevails. Mankind has enjoyed numerous periods of prosperity, unprecedented in human history, thanks entirely to the post-war 21st century’s evolvement of international trade specialisation.
That golden era is now over alas as tariff walls are being erected everywhere.
Here in New Zealand, we are mere spectators watching the unravelling of the global market system in its early stages. We enjoy geographic immunity from the world’s trouble-spots and should keep our heads down and remain aloof.
24 Comments
I think you’re wrong about Trump. Let’s hope you have the integrity to apogee when proven wrong.
Andy,
Overnight events have shown I’m not, Trump now having woken to the reality that you can’t manipulate the markets.
Now, Andy, do you have the integrity to admit I was right after all?
Bob Jones
He’s not out to manipulate markets.
Andy, if you’re not fully on board with Bob’s assessment, perhaps you are with that of Rex Tillerson, who described the ‘world-class ignoramus, as a ‘[ ] moron’?
Hilarious Sir Bob. I dont know who wins the hilarity stakes more. Them, they or us.
Ignoring the logic of kindness will cause his demise.
The looming trade war between the world’s two biggest economies will force the spectator nations to pick a side.
Sitting on the fence and remaining aloof will not be a viable option.
Ed, I’m not so sure. I think New Zealand could sit on the fence and remain aloof without being noticed!
No chance. India tried that and it ended badly. All of us will be forced to choose between the front pan or the fire…
Larry,
New Zealand is too beautiful to go unnoticed.
Question is, will she choose a Chinese or American boyfriend?
Other than missing the point of Trumps campaign, you’re right that countries will have to pick a side.
The question is, who will NZ choose .
Bruce,
Last year’s US election was probably the most important in my lifetime.
What was the point I missed?
Actually Bruce, there is no need to answer my previous question.
I was not trying to identify the point of Trumps campaign.
I was simply making a statement about the logic of being kind.
Lastly , I would like to raise a glass to Sir Robert, and thank him for running this blog and for all of the wit and wisdom that he has shared over the years.
Don’t feel two sorry for the share investors..
It’s one giant ponzi scheme with more than 50% of the US share market owned by less than 8% of the people, who have more money than the know what to do with…
Some of the largest having supported the Democrats who need to take a look at themselves, and who they represent..
Sir Robert, the silence from your many Trumpster commenters is deafening, but unsurprising, in the circumstances.
Great thing for NZ is the resulting reactionary left drift in favour of our recent sane history.
yep
neat
wonderful
not
He is completely unhinged. Borderline crazy. The majority of the Republican party are so cowered by Trump that they are scared to speak up, even though they must be repelled by his Tariff policies. Surely China must win out of this confrontation as Xi Jinping is a very clever operator, Trump is an imbecile!
Economist summed it up, US has a bigger punch than China, but China has a stronger chin ( party does not answer to anyone barring revolution) Interesting times.
Yes Red but need more than one strong Chin.
Think we should probably be more concerned about the 37% recently qualified through ‘positive descrimination’, Air New Zealand pilots.
This is a shockingly dangerous and unbelievably stupid decision from management who will be held criminally responsible for the inevatble horror outcome.
Trump’s tarriff plan will be MAGA for his insider trader cronies but bad for eveyone else. Ultimately it will fail. Respect and dignity is something the man child doesn’t understand. Friendly nations such as Canada will not tolerate being disrespected and will fight back unlike most of Trump’s fellow boot licking republicans. Surely even the dumbest MAGA’s can understand inflation, job losses, 401K losses etc. Eventually his base and vested interest groups, opportunists and grifters will turn on him. Hopefully the con game will end?
Trump somehow stumbled across the populist tactic of dog whistling to idiots.
Accordingly they feel politically relevant and motivated to vote for more of the same. RIP Sir Bob.
Yeah, wild how giving disillusioned people a scapegoat and a slogan somehow beats lecturing them from a think tank. Who knew politics wasn’t about nuanced policy debates but about making people feel heard — or at least angry enough to vote? But sure, call them idiots. That always works wonders at winning hearts and minds.
RIP Bob. Influenced my career.
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