US Economic & Political Shifts - The US administration has undermined trust by abandoning trade agreements and rule of law, leading to erratic and unpredictable governance [7][8] - The abandonment of the "most favored nation" principle in international trade signals a disregard for past agreements [9][10] - The US is behaving like an arbitrary despot, undermining the ability of businesses and individuals to plan [14][16] - The US is becoming increasingly unreliable compared to other economic superpowers like the EU and China [35][37] Trade & Tariffs - The US has blown up the international trading system, exemplified by doubling the tariff on steel from 25% to 50% [29] - The invocation of the national security clause (Section 232) to justify tariffs is seen as a veneer of legality [30] - Unpredictable tariff rates create uncertainty for businesses, potentially leading to investment paralysis [31][32] Corruption & Influence - The US is perceived to have abandoned anti-corruption efforts, setting a bad example for other governments [40][41] - The presidency appears to be "for sale," potentially altering the nature of successful business leadership [44] - Bribing people in power may become a way to get business in America, disadvantaging countries with rule of law [45] Financial System Risks - Suggestions of converting American debt into ultra-long-term debt (century bonds) are viewed as a potential default [47][48] - The reliability of US debt is being questioned, potentially leading to a world system without a safe asset [53] Assault on Science & Universities - There is a systematic attack on the American scientific system and universities, including foreign students and faculty [59][60] - Restrictions on foreign students and faculty are damaging collaboration between universities and business [62][63] - Hostility to independent thought and science is undermining the factors that made the US successful [66][67]