The Peter Zeihan Podcast Series The Art of Trump’s Trade Deal || Peter Zeihan
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Jul 7, 2025 Explore the intriguing reasons behind Robert Lighthizer's decision not to continue as Trade Representative. The discussion delves into what might have been, had he led U.S. trade strategies during Trump's second term. Imagine a more alliance-focused approach against China, battling internal challenges while navigating complex trade waters. The potential shifts in policy and strategy paint a captivating picture of a different trade landscape.
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Lighthizer's Strategic Approach
- Robert Lighthizer preferred isolating China by uniting US allies before negotiating with China.
- This strategy was better than Trump's approach of simultaneous trade fights.
Bureaucracy Hollowed Out
- Trump fired nearly all senior civil servants, leaving government upper management nearly empty.
- This crippled federal bureaucracy's ability to carry out presidential orders.
Diminished Trade Negotiation Capacity
- The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) office also shrank under Biden and Trump.
- This left trade negotiation capacity severely limited due to staff shortages.