The Journal. Trump 2.0: Less Foreign Aid, More Tariffs
20 snips
Feb 7, 2025 
Joel Schectman, a WSJ reporter focused on the dismantling of USAID, joins Ryan Knutson and Molly Ball to delve into the implications of reducing foreign aid in the U.S. A key topic is the gutting of USAID and how it impacts global leadership. They also discuss Trump's tariff strategies as negotiation tools and the shifts in CIA tactics towards China and Mexico. There's even a controversial proposal regarding U.S. involvement in Gaza, highlighting the complexities of current political dynamics.
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USAID's Role
- USAID projected American soft power by promoting democracy and free trade.
- This approach clashes with the Trump administration's view of power as a zero-sum game.
USAID's Future
- USAID's dismantling may not be permanent, given its bipartisan support and legal basis.
- Trump often uses drastic actions as initial bargaining positions.
Executive Power vs. Congress
- The Trump administration's approach challenges the authority of Congress.
- They are testing the limits of executive power.