Post Reports Trump's tariff truce, nuclear test orders, SNAP pain
9 snips
Oct 31, 2025 
David J. Lynch, a trade reporter for The Washington Post, and Jacob Bogage, a White House economic policy correspondent, dive into the complexities of Trump's recent Asia trip and its implications for trade agreements, particularly with China. They analyze the fine balance of tariffs and the puzzling announcement of resuming nuclear testing. On the domestic front, SNAP funding hangs in the balance amid a government shutdown, with 42 million Americans at risk of losing vital support—discussing political ramifications and budgetary impacts adds depth to their conversation.
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Tariffs Hurt Both Sides
- Tariff increases act both as leverage against foreign producers and as a self-inflicted cost on American consumers and businesses.
- David Lynch warns trade wars reduce economic welfare even as they may align with some administration goals to reshore production.
Pageantry Tailored To Presidential Taste
- Foreign leaders tailored lavish ceremonies and gifts to suit President Trump's preferences during his Asia trip.
- David Lynch and Jacob Bogage described grand pageantry including a replica crown and fancy golf clubs.
Rare-Earth Pause Averted Supply Shock
- The Xi-Trump talks produced a limited de-escalation: China paused new rare-earth export restrictions for a year while the U.S. trimmed some tariffs.
- That pause prevented an immediate supply shock for U.S. auto and tech manufacturers reliant on Chinese processing.
