TrueAnon Episode 451: Art of the Deal
70 snips
Apr 14, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Alexandra Scaggs, a financial correspondent from the Financial Times and host of The Hedge Substack, dives into the wild world of deals, tariffs, and market antics. They share humorous insights on U.S.-China negotiations and the absurdity of international tariffs. Scaggs reveals her take on the volatile financial landscape while exploring the impact of social media on market trends. The conversation dances through unconventional economies and critiques trade imbalances, all wrapped in a playful exchange of economic satire.
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Liberation Day Tariffs
- On Liberation Day (April 2nd), Trump announced tariffs on various countries, some of which weren't even countries.
- These tariffs, often exceeding 40%, targeted countries like Vietnam and Cambodia based on trade imbalances.
Trade Deficits and Mercantilism
- Trump's view on trade deficits as losses is a simplistic form of mercantilism.
- Many countries rely on export-led growth, selling goods to the U.S. and receiving dollars in return.
Dollar Reserves and Treasuries
- Trade imbalances result in surplus countries holding large dollar reserves, often invested in U.S. treasuries.
- This makes the U.S. government reliant on these countries financing its debt.