EconAir

  President Trump’s rhetoric seems to be more bellicose, or unhinged, every year he speaks to the world’s leaders at the United Nations. Last year, he summed up his opinion of the entire world with “Your countries are going to hell.” Whether he was making a religious statement or just a political threat was unclear. This year’s theme was to make clear that the United States would exert its military and economic power without any regard to other countries, international norms, or any personal constraints. On Iran. The U.S. will “annihilate the Islamic republic.”  “Do I drive them into hell with no chance of survival and no hope of future greatness or generations,” Besides the usual incoherence of his speeches, he seems to be advocating something close to genocide. On Venezuela. “If necessary, we will use our unmatched military might to secure the vital interests of the U.S.” “To the victor belongs the spoils.” Trump characterized America’s takeover of Venezuelan oil as the “big...

FROM:  The American Analysis Group of the Public Security Subcommittee of the Central Committee TO:  General Secretary Xi Jinping RE:  The Decline of the United States Thank you for the opportunity to continue our important work on behalf of the Central Committee. We are honored that you allow us to contribute to the defense of China against the arrogant pretensions of the United States. America is degenerating and weakening. It is ruled by a typical imperialist bully. He is the usual combination of ignorance, arrogance and a belief that military might is the only basis of power and influence. He insults and extorts allies. He forgets that global power is based on industrial might; he is doing everything to undermine America’s industrial predominance. We are in a battle of innovation, a battle for the world’s economic future. The example of England is relevant here – they stopped innovating and declining power followed. America is overextended. An expensive...

    Like in the beloved old TV series of the same name, some people live in different time dimensions, alterative realities, altered states, or alternative universes.   We live in the modern version of the Roman Republic; Donald Trump lives in the Roman Empire.   We think the president should be like Washington and Lincoln; Donald Trump thinks he’s Nero or one of the crazier emperors of the late empire.   We believe in democracy; Donald Trump strongly supported Hungary’s president who believes in “illiberal democracy.” Moron supporting oxymoron.   We believe in democracy; Donald Trump supports the neo-Fascist political party in Germany. The last time a Fascist party took over Germany – how did that turn out?   Most Americans are Christians and believe in God; Donald Trump posted an image of himself as Christ. Throughout history, there’s been a name for people who do that.   We erect monuments in Washington DC to great former presidents; Donald Tru...

SUMMARY AND UPDATE (2/26)   President Trump's tariff offensive has been a failure in its main objectives of narrowing the U.S. trade deficit or reducing China's trade surplus. China's trade surplus was larger in 2025 than in 2024. Reduced exports to the United States was more than made up by a large increase of exports to the rest of the world, including rerouting exports to the U.S. through Asian countries and Mexico.  America's trade deficit in goods in 2025 was higher than in 2024. The overall trade deficit stayed the same as the higher goods deficit was offset by a larger trade surplus in services. Growth in total exports was about the same as growth in total imports. Total imports were $4.7 trillion; total exports were $3.4 trillion. The trade deficit was $901 billion, almost exactly the same as in 2025. As of January 19, 2026, the average tariff rate was 16.9%. The increased cost of American imports is mostly paid by American consumers. The government collected so...