BESSENT + HASSETT + LUTNICK + NAVARRO = TRUMP’S INCOMPETENT ECONOMIC QUARTET

Headline:
Classic Henchmen.

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The U.S. Financial Market’s Capital Destroying Hurricane Was Brutal + Swift…

Unleashed By Trump’s Draconian Country Specific Tariffs =

Self Inflicted Supply Chain Shock = Assigning $$ Burden To U.S. Businesses + Consumers.

Naturally…Bonds + U.S. Dollar + Stocks = Mercilessly Liquidated [See Below].

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Yet BHLN’s [Bessent + Hassett + Lutnick + Navarro] Subsequent Tariff Commentaries…

Indicate They Were Genuinely Startled By The Magnitude Of Market Declines =

A Huge Problem = As Their Collective Economic Ignorances Demonstrate:

1. Blind Loyalty To Master President Irrespective Of Market Signals Pointing To Likely Failure Of Economic Policy Objectives.
2. Deficient Capital + Financial Market Competencies.
3. Inabilities To Consider Secondary + Tertiary Consequences To Meaningful Economic Policy Pivots.
4. Intellectual Absolutism/Intransigence Toward Desired Economic Outcome In A Dynamic Global Economy With Unpredictable Response Mechanisms.
5. Lack Of Courage To Challenge President Despite Substantial Damage To U.S. = Company/Industry + Economy + Sovereign Brand.

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Furthermore…It Certainly Seems Trump Does Not Not Fully Comprehend Capital Markets…

And The Fragile Global Inter-Connections Between Bonds + Commodities + Currencies + Equities + Real Estate…

In Many Cases Collateralized + Financed + Margined With Strict Monetary Covenants.

At Their Core…Financial Markets Enable Capital Formation…

In Order To Grow + Innovate + Mitigate Risk…

Of A Consumptive Economy.

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And When These Capital Apparatuses Unusually Contort + Fail To Reliably Fire/Project…

As Currently [Corporate + High Yield + Municipal + Sovereign Bond Yield Spreads]…

Markets Transmit A Flashing Red Signal That Economic Instability/Uncertainty Preside + Further Anticipate…

Unless Trump Either Soon Capitulates To The Market’s Desires…

Or Dramatically Improves His Economic Policy “Pitch”…

Which Thus Far =

1. Erratic +
2. Inconsistent +
3. Intellectually Hollow.

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Plus…That The Rest Of The World Is “Ripping Off” The United States…

Vis-A -Vis Trade Imbalances =

Too Simplistic + Vague.

Moreover…Trump Also Frequently Exaggerates + Mischaracterizes Financial Trade Facts.

For Instance The U.S. Goods Trade Deficit = While Regularly Robust…

Is Countered By A Consistent U.S. Services Surplus Of $20B+/- Per Month.

Further…Trade Deficits Calculate Gross Dollars…Not Profits [Much Smaller Percentage Of Gross Dollars].

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And…Of Course…U.S. Goods Deficits Provide Consumers With Price Competitive Products…

Most Of Which Are Not Essential To National Security [Door Hinges + Sneakers].

Nevertheless…Global Goods Trading Metrics Could Be Much Improved [Universal Zero Tariffs = Equitable]…

But China…The #2 Global Economy [GDP] = Communist Geo-Political Adversary…

Which Is Quite A Complicating Factor When Trading [Advanced Technology] With Sovereign Capitalists.

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So…Despite Trump’s Self Professed Expertise…On All Subjects…

As It Specifically Pertains To Capital Markets…

TRUMP IS CERTAINLY NOT THE SMARTEST GUY IN THE ROOM

Because If He Were That Intelligent + Savvy…

He’d Quickly Realize His Current Tariff Tactics Are Broadly Injuring The United States…

1. Economically +
2. Politically +
3. Reputationally

…And In Order To Get Financial Markets “On Board” With His Nationalistic Dealmaking Policies…

The Requirement = A Less Economically Painful + Deliberate Path To The Other Side Of Tariff-Ville…

Or He Greatly Risks Achieving Friendlier Financial Policy Objectives [Deregulation + Tax Policy] = Markets Would Welcome.

And That BHLN Appears Not To Have Counseled On These Specific Matters = Enormously Concerning.

Maybe Because Trump Clearly Values Personnel = More Adherent + Loyal To His Idealistic Beliefs…

Rather Than Competent + Professional.

And There Appears To Be Much Incompetence…

Well Beyond Commerce + Economics + Trade + Treasury.

For Example…Health + Human Services Secretary [RFK Jr.] = Prior 14 Year Heroin Addict + Now A Proud Conspiracy Theorist.

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Anyway…Trump’s Haphazard Tariff Policies = Increasingly Criticized + Scrutinized.

No Matter…Zealous Trump Believes He Knows What’s Best For America…

And When He Does Not Get What He Desires =

Trump Morphs Into A Macho Drama Queen…

1. Threatening +
2. Victimizing +
3. Whining

So For Now…The World Economy Is Primarily Beholden To Trump’s…

1. Dubious Emergency Declarations +
2. Emotional Financial Judgments +
3. Random Tariff Pivots

…The Distorted + New Normal For Capital Markets.

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