Most journalists talk about how crazy the Trump tariffs are since they'll badly damage the US economy, but that misses the point. Trump isn't the same as the liberal, technocratic politicians we're used to, who want to strengthen the economy via a stable rules-based order to help them win the next election. He's a fascist, and part of that ideology is that rules apply to the out-group but not to the in-group. Rules are a blunt instrument to dominate others. So they're using tariffs to force weaker countries to adopt fascist policies like criminalizing immigrants, expanded surveillance, deregulation and privatization, etc. even if it damages the US economy.
Very good podcast, thought-provoking all around.
Lots of food for thought!
Most journalists talk about how crazy the Trump tariffs are since they'll badly damage the US economy, but that misses the point. Trump isn't the same as the liberal, technocratic politicians we're used to, who want to strengthen the economy via a stable rules-based order to help them win the next election. He's a fascist, and part of that ideology is that rules apply to the out-group but not to the in-group. Rules are a blunt instrument to dominate others. So they're using tariffs to force weaker countries to adopt fascist policies like criminalizing immigrants, expanded surveillance, deregulation and privatization, etc. even if it damages the US economy.