New today, Defense Secretary Pete Hexath announcing another air strike on a suspected drug boat in the Caribbean. Hegs says all three people on board were killed and called them narot terrorists. He did not provide any evidence for his claims, but it is the 15th strike since early September.Democrats say they're getting left in the dark. This document needs to be shared with every member of the Senate this week so that as we get into this discussion about war powers, we've got the basis of how the administr ...

The U.S. thought a trade war would change China’s economic policies. It was wrong, write the Wall Street Journal’s Jonathan Cheng and Jason Douglas. https://t.co/d3I3PO4wht ...

Paul Krugman is the Nobel economist, longtime author of textbooks, New York Times columns, and now the Paul Krugman Substack, uh, where he has confronted this secondterm Trump administration with clarity and cander, the latest piece, how we lost the trade war. Uh, welcome back, professor. Uh, you're you're better at the complex economics.I, as you know, can read. So, I noticed that it says lost, not losing. Uh, let's start there.Why is this in your view factually already lost. >> Okay, think of this as a co ...

President Trump appears to be easing his trade war for now, helping his Solana meme coin pump amid what an analyst called a “relief rally.” https://t.co/IafYe3vByt ...

Trump might think he has the upper hand, but he's handing Xi a victory in the trade war, @KarishmaJourno says (via @opinion) https://t.co/rduV23CHJC ...

China’s success in the trade war is reinforcing the Communist Party’s domestic authority https://t.co/rqLx1cYUGO ...

Trade War & Tariffs Impact - The US-China trade war, initiated by Trump's tariffs on China, led to China banning American soybean imports [1] - Soybean farmer John Boyd Jr feels betrayed by President Trump, citing deals undermining American farmers, including Argentina selling soybeans to China [1] - Tariffs are causing financial distress for American farmers, with rising bankruptcy rates, farm suicides, and foreclosures [1] - Farmers are not receiving promised financial relief from tariffs, with no one seeing a dime of the 3 billion USD said to be going out last week [4] - The 10 billion USD Trump says is going to save farmers is insufficient, described as a band-aid when major surgery is needed [4] - Reagan's ad against tariffs resurfaced, prompting Trump to impose more tariffs on Canada [7] - Reagan stated that high tariffs inevitably lead to retaliation by foreign countries and the triggering of fierce trade wars [9] Political & Economic Implications - 90% of farmers voted for Donald Trump, implying China is trying to hurt Trump's constituency [1] - Democrats need to pay attention to rural areas and advocate for farmers to win back their votes [1] - Democrats have to make a play in these red states for farmers for the first time in a very very long time [2] - The Ford government views the anti-tariff ad as mission accomplished, aiming to generate resistance from Americans against Trump's tariffs [13][14] - Canada argues that tariffs on Canada are attacks on the American people [15] Soybean Market & Farmer Distress - Grain elevators are full, preventing farmers from selling soybeans, and some farmers have had to stop harvesting [1] - One farmer, with 42 years of experience, has never had grain elevators refuse soybeans due to lack of movement [1] - When the first president had his first term, I was selling soybeans for 1680% a bushel and and uh you know, I could pay a few bills and college tuition and and take care of my family [3] - After Trump announced tariffs to China, the price plummeted to 7 USD a bushel [3]

Geopolitical Impact - The trade war with America has strengthened Xi Jinping and the Communist Party [1] - Significant risks remain for China [1]

US-China Trade Relations - President Trump and President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet next week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) in South Korea [1] - The meeting occurs shortly before a scheduled 100% tariff on Chinese exports by the US [2] - President Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs on China, indicating a desire to have the upper hand in trade negotiations [2][4][9] - The administration's officials are not explicitly stating that a deal is expected after the meeting, despite the looming tariff deadline [8][9] US Diplomatic Engagements in Asia - President Trump is visiting US allies in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia [7] - These economic forums provide opportunities for US leaders to meet with multiple leaders simultaneously [7] - The trade war has impacted many of the countries in the region [8] US Involvement in Middle East - The Vice President recently traveled to Israel to monitor the ceasefire [12][14] - US officials are pushing back against the idea that they are "babysitting" the Israeli Prime Minister [14] - The Vice President avoided specifics regarding Hamas' role in Gaza [14][15] - Discussions are ongoing regarding an international stabilization force in Gaza, including potential countries involved [18][19][20]

US-China Relations & Trade War - APEC sideline Xi-Trump meeting expectations are low, similar to past summits [3][4] - US has consistently underestimated China's bargaining power, viewing the relationship as a one-way dependency [8] - Trump is likely to back down from his threat of an additional 100% tariff on top of the pre-existing 30% to 50% [6] - China's rare earth export controls are causing potential pressures on global supply chains and US manufacturing [7] Impact on US Economy - Tariffs are causing goods inflation, especially in categories like furniture and some consumer appliances [10] - The impact of tariffs has been slower and more gradual than initially anticipated [9][10] - Executive overreach in trade policy is undermining American legitimacy [10][13] China's Economic Strategy - China needs a new source of growth, as the property sector is struggling and exports face protectionist backlash [17] - Boosting household consumption share of GDP from currently around 40% to 50% by 2035 should be a target [19] - China has built buffers by diversifying soybean purchases and developing its domestic AI industry [14] Renminbi Internationalization - The dollar is under downward pressure due to executive overreach, deficit spending, and high levels of US debt [21] - China is gradually putting pieces together to make the renminbi more attractive as a global reserve currency [23] - China needs to open its capital account and continue to build capital reform infrastructure to internationalize the renminbi [23][24]