International Politics

Trump’s Steel and Aluminum Tariff Will Hurt American Workers and Further Damage the International Trading Order

March 8, 2018 by admin

Trump is expected to announce steel and aluminum tariffs on 03/08 (today), against the advice of his chief economic advisor (who resigned as a result) and many Republicans in Congress including Paul Ryan, Speaker of the House.

Trump supporters, Steve Bannon, big steel and steelworkers might tout that we are finally striking back at China’s dumping of steel, but the implementation of these tariffs is so clumsy, so devoid of strategy, so ignorant of basic economic theory and practice, and so offensive to our allies who might otherwise be able to help our cause in this case, that the harm will surely outweigh the good. And this is true even if no retaliation against US products takes place, the absence of which is unlikely.

Here are facts about the tariffs and who might be helped by them and who might be hurt: [Read more…] about Trump’s Steel and Aluminum Tariff Will Hurt American Workers and Further Damage the International Trading Order

International Perspective – Review of “A World in Disarray”, “American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order” by Richard Haass

January 26, 2018 by admin

In “A World in Disarray”. Richard Haas, former senior adviser to George Herbert Bush, Director of Policy Planning for Colin Powell, former president of the Council on Foreign Relations and author of nine books, explains how the world order that the U.S. successfully established in the post-war bi-polar world, is under challenge. While not yet in chaos, the world is in disarray and trending towards greater disorder. Haas provides guidance on restoring order through what he calls “sovereign responsibility” as well as prescriptions for specific relationships (US/China, for example) and regions such as the Middle East. He is wise to both the dangers of over-reaching and inaction.

Trump’s Protectionist Threat is a Threat to the US Economy

January 14, 2018 by admin

President Trump keeps on mentioning the surpluses or deficits that we have with specific trading partners. Recently he mentioned Norway’s prime minister that the US has a surplus with that country. He is disturbed with the deficit the US has with Mexico. NAFTA negotiations are in danger as the US proposes unilateral terms that won’t be accepted by either Canada or Mexico.

Trump has threatened outright protectionism – tariffs or taxes reducing the flow of trade in order to erase deficits or increase surpluses.

Here is the problem with US protectionism: [Read more…] about Trump’s Protectionist Threat is a Threat to the US Economy

Trump’s Mistake – Withdrawing from the Paris Accords

July 12, 2017 by admin

In his 6/1 Paris Accords withdrawal announcement, President Trump ignored most of his advisors, including his Secretaries of Defense, State and Treasury (but not his EPA advisor who agreed with withdrawal). These advisors understood that a decision to withdraw from the Paris Accords would represent one more blow to America’s role as a world leader and would further loosen the binding ties between the US and our European and Asian allies. Combined with the damage from Trump’s NATO visit, and withdrawal from the TPP, grave damage has been done to US standing in the world. This is not just symbolic; soft power and influence should not be underestimated as tools in promoting alliances keeping in place rules and institutions established by the US over the past 70 years. These institutions have formed a framework for world peace and relative financial stability. Given the fragile state of world order (exacerbated in part by poor policies of the Bush and Obama administrations, one too aggressive, the other too timid), further disorder caused by a bullying and isolated US will not likely benefit US interests in the long run.

But back to the Paris Accords. [Read more…] about Trump’s Mistake – Withdrawing from the Paris Accords