Drawing a parallel to a purportedly successful negotiation between India and Pakistan, Trump described his proposed Iran-Israel agreement as leveraging US trade to encourage compromise. He asserted this approach fostered cohesion and a swift resolution among the involved leaders. The strategy emphasized economic incentives to achieve a rapid and decisive agreement. The statement highlights Trump’s belief in the power of economic leverage in international diplomacy.
Read More
A Follow the Money investigation reveals that Western companies paid Russia at least €40 billion in taxes over the past three years, a sum nearing one-third of Russia’s 2025 defense budget. This significant revenue stream, primarily from G7 and EU firms, directly supports Russia’s war effort despite Western sanctions and military aid to Ukraine. Many companies, citing various justifications, remain in Russia, despite challenges to exiting the market, including low asset sale prices and potential asset seizures. While Russia’s rhetoric suggests punitive measures against these companies, the Kremlin also indicates plans for their eventual return.
Read More
A Russian harvester manufacturer has recently suspended production, a stark indicator of the crippling economic effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine. This isn’t simply a case of decreased demand; it’s a symptom of a much deeper, more systemic crisis unfolding within the Russian economy.
The core issue lies in the Russian government’s prioritization of the war effort. Massive resources – both financial and human – are being funneled into the military, leaving other sectors starved of essential support. This has led to a bidding war for the remaining workforce, with military and arms manufacturing jobs offering significantly higher wages to attract and retain employees.… Continue reading
President Trump announced a 50% tariff on all EU imports to the US, effective June 1, 2025, citing stalled trade talks and accusing the EU of unfair trade practices. This announcement caused significant stock market declines across Europe and the US. The EU had recently submitted a new trade proposal including tariff cuts and cooperation initiatives, but this was apparently insufficient to prevent the tariff imposition. The move represents a major escalation of trade tensions between the US and the EU, with the potential for considerable economic repercussions.
Read More
Robert Reich argues that President Trump’s tariffs threaten America’s global economic dominance by undermining the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency. This shift, evidenced by investors withdrawing from U.S. Treasury bills, could lead to significant wealth loss and diminished American influence. The tariffs disproportionately harm lower-income Americans, acting as a regressive tax that increases the cost of goods. Reich questions the administration’s rationale for policies that accelerate the erosion of this crucial American economic advantage.
Read More
The EU has approved a new sanctions package against Russia, targeting individuals, entities circumventing sanctions, and those involved in Russia’s war effort. This includes expanding the targeting of ships damaging Ukrainian infrastructure and adding more vessels to the “shadow fleet” list. While the package primarily focuses on economic measures, the EU also plans to further address Russian fossil fuel imports and explore additional sanctions, including the potential seizure of frozen Russian assets, depending on future Kremlin actions. These measures aim to increase pressure on Russia to end its war in Ukraine.
Read More
A newly signed U.S.-Ukraine economic partnership agreement, granting the U.S. preferential access to Ukrainian mineral resources, has heightened anxieties within the Russian elite. Russian officials denounce the deal as further “colonization” of Ukraine, fearing it solidifies a U.S.-Ukraine alliance and diminishes Russia’s negotiating leverage for a favorable peace settlement. This shift undermines Russia’s previous advantage, particularly following strained relations between Zelensky and Trump, which had briefly stalled the agreement. The deal potentially jeopardizes Russia’s aim to halt further U.S. arms supplies to Ukraine, a key condition for a ceasefire.
Read More
Despite President Trump and his administration’s assertions of ongoing trade negotiations with China, the Chinese Foreign Ministry firmly denied any such talks. This denial specifically refutes Trump’s claims of a recent phone call with President Xi Jinping and underscores China’s resistance to the significant U.S. tariffs. While U.S. officials remain confident in their position, concerns are growing among American businesses about the potential for severe economic repercussions stemming from the escalating trade conflict.
Read More
China issued a strong warning to countries considering aligning with the US against it, threatening retaliatory measures against those prioritizing short-term gains over broader economic interests. This warning stems from the Trump administration’s efforts to pressure nations into reducing trade with China, offering tariff reductions as an incentive. China argues that complying with such pressure would ultimately harm those nations, emphasizing its significant role in global supply chains. The resulting tensions highlight the difficult position many countries face, caught between the US and China, two economic giants with deeply intertwined trade relationships. This situation underscores the potential for widespread economic disruption resulting from escalating trade conflicts.
Read More
In response to reported U.S. plans to leverage trade negotiations to limit global engagement with China, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a strong warning. China will retaliate against any country whose cooperation with the U.S. harms its interests, emphasizing its commitment to reciprocal countermeasures. This follows recent U.S. tariff increases on Chinese goods and a broader trade war threatening global stability. The statement accuses the U.S. of unfair trade practices while portraying China as a defender of international fairness.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood