The Socialist Program with Brian Becker Trump’s Trade War: U.S. Empire Is In Free Fall w/ Prof. Richard Wolff
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Apr 23, 2025 
Join Richard Wolff, an influential economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work, as he dives into the chaos of Trump’s trade policies. He discusses how these strategies might not only unsettle the stock market but also spark a 'capital war.' The conversation expands to explore the U.S.'s shift from a safe investment destination to a zone of economic uncertainty. Wolff critiques the intertwined narratives of politics and media, warning of America's declining global influence and the potential repercussions of aggressive foreign policies.
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US Trade War Signals Desperation
- Trump's trade war involves tariffs and sanctions on the whole world simultaneously, disrupting global trade and capital flows.
- This behavior signals American desperation, causing wealthy global investors to reduce holdings in U.S. assets, weakening the dollar.
US Empire Decline & Isolation
- The US is an empire in decline, unable to compete with China's technological advances and manufacturing power.
- Walls, tariffs, and isolationism reflect desperation and will worsen economic and social decline in America.
Trade Wars Could Lead to Military
- Trade wars and capital wars often escalate into military conflicts, raising fears of US-China confrontation.
- The US has weakened industrial capacity and faces geopolitical challenges losing in places like Ukraine and Afghanistan.