If the orange tyrant seriously expects other countries to stand against the drug cartels, he’s got to stop arming the criminals. The United States must have strong export controls and enforcement on weaponry.

The orange despot has an obsession with taking over islands or beaches. How many Trump resorts will come from this?

One of the more “subtle” indicators that military action may be coming. Or is it part of a costly bluff?

An example of the profound sadistic cruelty of Trump’s tariffs. How the orange tyrant’s duties cost two Americans their chance at a new home.

Just in case you are among the few who thought the Supreme Court’s tariff decision might persuade the aging tyrant to try doing trade legally. No, his default is to take the illegal path to see if he can get away with it.

If you are a small American business that has had to pay Trump’s illegal tariffs, it’s time to sign on.

If you need the details on the kleptocratic businesses of the Trump family, it’s here in disgusting glory. The boys may be teaching the orange dotard some new tricks.

“The other thing we learned was that none of the promised benefits of tariffs have materialized … Every economist not named “Navarro” had previously forecast this…”

Trump’s super wealthy amateur ambassadors will never learn the virtues of silence. He doesn’t want them to.

“… Section 122 calls for a flat-rate tariff on everyone. This means that nations Trump tried to punish — like Brazil … — have just received a big break. Meanwhile nations that groveled to Trump, like the UK, have just learned that they humiliated themselves for nothing“.

Trump’s idea of license fees would violate GATT Article VIII if they exceed “… the approximate cost of services rendered and shall not represent an indirect protection to domestic products or a taxation of imports or exports for fiscal purposes.” IOW, he is limited to just establishing user fees.

The declining orange tyrant has nearly completed his alienation of one of our formerly closest friends and allies.

Using a new narrative series of US tariff changes from 1840–2024 to show that tariff increases reduce trade, output, and manufacturing activity, from Tamar den Besten and Diego R. Känzig www.nber.org/papers/w34852

The proper response: "“A deal is a deal,” the European Commission said. “As the United States’ largest trading partner, the EU expects the U.S. to honor its commitments set out in the Joint Statement — just as the EU stands by its commitments."

“… the tariffs were ostensibly supposed to fix something in our economy, and they have fixed absolutely nothing. Instead, the tariffs have mostly just caused inconvenience for American consumers …"

The Hawaii Pacific Export Council surveyed Hawaii companies last spring (around “Liberation Day”) and again in the fall about business outlooks and the impact of tariffs and other regulatory changes. The respondees were 155 small Hawaii businesses, including retailers, importers and exporters.

For those not following the minute-by-minute tariff reports, here is Trump’s Truth Social post from this morning, saying that he plans to raise his new 10% tariff to 15%.

You can still come to Hawaii. We consistently vote against the Trumpies, and we boast Trump’s lowest approval ratings. 18%, last I heard. Of course, you still have to go through immigration and customs.

The first graph shows the tariff situation in a nutshell.

Many of the winners are here, though I might add the foreign countries that calculated that this decision would prevail. The losers will make their appearance in a later post.

I spoke to a business group just yesterday and told them that the Supremes’ decision on “reciprocal” tariffs had been delayed 2 months because they were trying to figure out how to break it to the Tariff King. When I woke up this morning - BAM!

This issue is decades old but still important. The offenders have changed with China now the worst. They refuse to recognize the concept of maximum sustainable yield. That is likely to reflect the problem of the commons: the assumption that if China doesn’t take the fish, somebody else will.

Thanks to the aging Tariff King. You know, the one who doesn’t understand tariffs, negotiating or anything else about products move around the world.

More on how MAGA became the “pro-death” party.

The idea that Trumpies are somehow “pro-life” is laughable and tragic. They are trying to kill as many of us as possible.

Very wise move. Do it.

Even tame MAGA billionaires are beginning to move their business away from the aging extortionist.

Another measure of Trump’s war on science and knowledge: the numbers of PhDs leaving or ousted from U.S. government agencies.

“Climate is one of those classic areas where Trump, I think, doesn’t care that much. We know he hates wind turbines, and likes the coal guys because they kiss up to him. But that’s about the extent of his interest in climate policy.“

The people who really need this won’t read it.

“Manly Men” were supposed to take these jobs. You know, the jobs where Howard Lutnick said they could enjoy long hours screwing in tiny little screws.

I think we all know how common Ecuadorian dart frogs are in the high Arctic.

The claim that other countries pay the Tariff King’s duties is about as fake as claiming Mexico would pay for the tyrant’s wall.

Jon Ossoff provides a script all Democrats or independents should use.

Crime is the only major use for crypto. Which is why the Trumps love it.

An aging tyrant stumbles off a bridge too far.

I spent many years negotiating trade agreements and saw different negotiating styles. The orange tyrant doesn’t negotiate, he extorts. If you give him anything, he tries to extort more. Your only real option with an extortionist is to retaliate. It’s time for Europe to show backbone.

Remember when we could believe Presidents? It’s getting harder.

29 career U.S. ambassadors were recalled in January, totaling 110 ambassadorial vacancies worldwide. That’s 56% of U.S. embassies without a confirmed ambassador. If you thought there was rhyme or reason, check out this piece about a MAGA official who is firing ambassadors over art she doesn’t like.

I’ve come to the same conclusion: the right-wing six are too scared to counter Trump’s tariffs. Or they are being paid to keep delaying. I hope they will prove me wrong and rule according to the law.

Your periodic reminder that U.S. tariffs are approximately four times higher now than pre-Trump. What has that done for you?

Trump’s murder of 125 people on the high seas has momentarily dropped from the headlines. The case against the orange tyranny brought by Trinidadians may briefly bring the story back to our amnesiac media. Blackbeard and others of his ilk had a higher moral sense than our present rulers.

Well. So, Nov 2017, the FBI knew Epstein used videos of underage women. That Epstein was Putin’s wealth manager. That Epstein was “very close” to Trump. And that Trump went to lunch with Epstein as recently as 2015…so much for that falling out decade(s) before

The world cast its vote on the Trumpian tyranny. Rationality wins in a landslide.

When I served in embassies I sometimes saw art I didn’t understand or appreciate, but that was due to my preference for realistic pieces. This smacks of Hitler’s pogram against “degenerate art”.

There is an easy solution, Donald. Pay the $1.5 billion the United States owes. The next biggest debtor is Venezuela at $38 million. Perhaps you have some influence there.

The EU is so old-fashioned, doing real trade deals with responsible trading partners. Trump has moved far beyond this, settling on fantasy “agreements” that extort others to satisfy his mob boss ego.

Pressure can bring results on the accomplice companies that contract with ICE or CBP. Go get ’em!

Remember, average net worth is skewed by exceptionally rich people. Median net worth is what the person in the middle of the cohort has. Half have more, half have less.

Must read for trade policy wonks or, frankly, anyone into international affairs. Full disclosure: I’ve met Chad Bown when visiting old friends at Peterson and corresponded with him on the late lamented Trade Twitter. I’m biased. Looking forward to his book with Soumaya Keynes.