Ep112. Tariffs and The Divergence of US and Europe
Apr 15, 2025
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The podcast dives deep into the diverging paths of the US and Europe on key issues like democracy, tariffs, and misinformation. Personal anecdotes bring the political landscape in Washington DC to life while examining trust in government. They discuss the potential rise of civil disobedience in the US and the influence of non-experts on policy. The intriguing contrasts in judicial accountability, particularly highlighted by the Le Pen case, add depth to the conversation. Can new leaders like Keir Starmer bring order to the ongoing global disorder?
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Quick takeaways
The U.S. political climate under Trump's administration showcases a shift towards disorder, undermining traditional democratic principles and judicial accountability.
Europe reinforces democratic norms through strict political accountability, contrasting sharply with the U.S.'s struggle against chaotic governance and misinformation.
Trump's tariffs have introduced economic uncertainty, directly affecting Americans and potentially leading to civil disobedience against harmful governmental policies.
Deep dives
Diverging Paths: The U.S. and Europe's Political Landscape
The U.S. and Europe are grappling with starkly different approaches to internal and external challenges, particularly concerning democracy and governance. The political climate in the U.S. has shifted towards disorder, driven by disinterest in traditional values and checks and balances, a stark contrast to Europe's commitment to reinforcing democratic norms. The discussion highlights the unpredictability introduced by figures like Trump, who prioritize chaos over coherent policy, escalating the distrust in governmental systems. Meanwhile, Europe endeavors to combat misinformation and foreign interference as it seeks to maintain a rules-based order amidst rising authoritarianism.
Chaos in Governance: The Effects of Trumpian Policies
The chaotic nature of Trump's governance is characterized by a values-free approach that undermines traditional democratic principles. His administration has weakened judicial independence and eroded accountability structures, resulting in a perceived normalization of disorder within U.S. politics. The comparison with European leadership reveals the latter's application of laws to all politicians, regardless of status, as demonstrated by cases like Sarkozy and Le Pen, leading to significant political repercussions. This indicates a fundamental divergence where Europe enforces political accountability while the U.S. struggles with its own disarray.
Economic Turmoil: The Ripple Effects of Tariffs
Trump's recent tariffs have stirred economic uncertainty, impacting both domestic markets and international trade relations. The economic landscape is worsened by incoherent policies that not only harm U.S. trade partners but also strain the American economy, leading to investments freezing and companies halting expansion plans. Amidst this turmoil, there's a growing sense of dissatisfaction as everyday Americans realize how these policies affect them directly, leading to potential civil disobedience against governmental actions perceived as harmful. The chaotic economic situation, combined with rising prices and job losses, positions citizens to increasingly challenge the status quo.
Free Speech and Social Discourse: A Dangerous Shift
The podcast discusses how contemporary U.S. political culture has shifted to allow extreme and harmful rhetoric to become mainstream, raising serious concerns about free speech as it relates to hate speech and misinformation. Many voices that once practiced restraint in political discourse now express unfiltered opinions, contributing to a declining civil discourse. As the discussion unfolds, it's noted that the current environment pushes moderates and centrist voices to be more cautious, leading to a culture where more extreme views are amplified and normalized. This troubling change presents a challenge to traditional democratic values of respect and debate.
A Fragile Global Order: Realigning International Relations
The fragmentation of the global order is evident as the U.S. pursues a foreign policy devoid of coherent values, often aligning with aggressive regimes while disregarding democratic principles elsewhere. This unpredictability threatens established alliances and creates opportunities for adversarial nations like Russia and China to exploit the situation. Europe's commitment to democratic values appears increasingly strained as it navigates a global landscape affected by U.S. policies that undermine cooperative efforts. Consequently, whether the U.S. can recover a more principled stance in its foreign policy remains uncertain, placing international stability at risk.
Europe and the US are increasingly having differing approaches to everything from free trade to free speech to combatting disinformation to defence to the role of the judiciary. What does that mean for Global Order? Or rather – in our mad mad mad mad world – what does this mean for the extent of Global Disorder?
In this episode, hosts Alexandra Hall Hall and Jason Pack are reunited in person in DC. Jason talks of his misadventures on Capitol Hill – and relates anecdotes he has picked up about the DOGE sledgehammer, Republicans bullying Canadians, and the post-apocalyptic feeling of the place. Jason and Alex anchor the episode around the divergence btw the US and Europe on issues of: Democracy, Misinformation, Corruption and Fraud; National Security/Foreign Policy; and Economy/Tariffs.
They delve into the way the political climate ‘feels’ in the US under Trump's administration, and the differences in judicial accountability of major political figures between the US and Europe – looking at the Le Pen case in particular. Jason expresses his mad admiration of France and Sweden.
Plus: could civil disobedience grow in the US? Are Trump’s policies being decided by non-experts who launder Russian misinformation like Laura Loomer – a new Tiktok influencer Rasputin? And can Kier Starmer be bold enough to help us Order the Disorder? And what can Sir Keir learn from Canada’s Mark Carney who seems naturally gifted at standing up to Trump. So, ELBOWS UP, dear Mega Orderers.
