The Trade Guys A New U.S.-China Framework Agreement and the Stubbornness of Globalization
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Jun 17, 2025 A fresh framework for U.S.-China trade negotiations takes center stage, with a focus on the complexities and uncertainties of tariffs and export controls. The ongoing EU-Indonesia economic partnership shines a light on U.S. sidelines amid shifting global trade dynamics. Discussions dive deep into the implications of proposed tariffs, weighing consumer impact against optimistic forecasts. The evolving relationships in the Asia-Pacific region hint at a transformative landscape for future trade, highlighting the delicate balance between economic powers.
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1980s Anti-Japanese Stereo Smash
- Bill Reinsch shared a vivid story about anti-Japanese sentiment in the 1980s involving congressmen smashing Toshiba stereos.
- This incident illustrated the intense trade and political tensions of that era related to Japan.
US-China Ceasefire, Not Deal
- The new US-China deal is more of a ceasefire than a full agreement, signaling a resumption of commitments made earlier but not fulfilled.
- Key elements include US allowing Chinese students and China resuming rare earths and industrial magnets exports, balancing pressures and leverage.
Balanced Leverage in US-China Trade
- Both the US and China hold leverage in the trade relationship due to critical materials China controls and the US's export market size.
- This balance complicates expectations, countering assumptions that the US had all the cards in negotiating with China.