Category: Trade

Trump Shows Value of Tariffs as Foreign Policy Tool

The great American foreign policy debate began with the two parties’ divide over Vietnam. Until the Vietnam War, Republicans and Democrats more or less held to a consensus on the value of containment. After the war, Republicans favored unilateralism, a strong military, and clear-sighted pursuit of national interests that included the use of force against … Continued

Carlson’s Invisible Political Hand Riles Conservative Critics

In spite of policy differences on social issues—from gay rights to gun control to abortion—the steadying core of modern-day conservatism always has been the defense of the individual over the state. During the Reagan era, the movement witnessed in real time how the disassembling of statist economic policies could resuscitate a fossilized free-market system to … Continued

Actually, 2018 Was a Pretty Good Year

The year 2018 will be deplored by pundits as a bad year of more unpredictable Donald Trump, headlined by wild stock market gyrations, the melodramas of the Robert Mueller investigation, and the musical-chair tenures of officials in the Trump Administration. The government is still shut down. Talk of impeachment by the newly Democrat-controlled House of … Continued

Free the Kidnapped Canadians in Communist China

Last week, we discussed the national security threat to the United States and her siblings in the family of free nations that is posed by Communist China’s Huawei technology company—specifically, in the words of Eli Lake, “that China’s largest telecom company will allow the Chinese state to monitor the electronic communications of anyone using Huawei … Continued

A Tentative Trade War Win

Ever since President Trump launched a so-called trade war back in January, the expert political class has been in a tizzy. Economists warned that U.S.-imposed tariffs aimed at Canada, China, and the European Union would devastate the economy and destroy millions of jobs. Politicians on the Left and the Right condemned the president; some congressional … Continued

Reciprocity Is the Method to Trump’s Madness

Critics of Donald Trump claim there is no rhyme or reason to his foreign policy. But if there is a consistency, it might be called reciprocity. Trump tries to force other countries to treat the United States as it treats them. In “don’t tread on me” style, he also warns enemies that any aggressive act … Continued

Trump’s Irresistible ‘Trollitics’

What a time to be alive! To witness a president of the United States dismissively tell a brutal communist dictator, “thanks for the hostages,” is a truly special thing. Of course, Trump waved off Kim Jong-un on Thursday knowing the “Rocket Man” would realize he made a mistake and come lumbering back to the negotiating … Continued

Trump is Cutting Old Gordian Knots

The proverbial knot of Gordium was impossible to untie. Anyone clever enough to untie it would supposedly become the king of Asia. Many princes tried; all failed. When Alexander the Great arrived, he was challenged to unravel the impossible knot. Instead, he pulled out his sword and cut through it. Problem solved. Donald Trump inherited … Continued

Man of Steel

If the American Dream was flat-lining, the Trump administration may be acting as a defibrillator. Against furious opposition from within and without, President Trump is taking a step in line with the Republicans who made the GOP America’s Party. “I think there’s been an awful lot of advice,” said Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) “this president … Continued