Thu, January 9, 2025

by: Vox

The madman theory of Trump and tariffs

Trump may well be applying the madman theory to trade negotiations as well, with his mega-tariffs serving as his nuclear threat. If so, he'd see his reputation for belligerent unpredictability as an asset — which explains why he'd hotly push back on any reports that he's actually backing down.

by: Reuters

Jimmy Carter funeral: Biden, grandson Jason Carter deliver eulogies

Family, friends and former political colleagues of U.S. President Jimmy Carter, including current President Joe Biden, spoke on Thursday at his state funeral in Washington.

by: ABC

Attorney General Merrick Garland informs Congress special counsel Jack Smith's Trump probes have concluded

Attorney General Merrick Garland informed Congress in a letter Wednesday that special counsel Jack Smith has concluded his investigations into Donald Trump.

by: ABC

Attorney General Merrick Garland informs Congress special counsel's Donald Trump investigation has concluded

Attorney General Merrick Garland informed Congress in a letter Wednesday special counsel Jack Smith has concluded his investigations into President-elect Donald Trump.

by: MSN

Trudeau: Trump talk of annexing Canada a distraction, won't happen

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday he thinks President-elect Trump's public musings about annexing the neighbor to the north is a distraction from Trump's threat to impose steep tariffs on Canadian imports.

by: MSN

17,000 doctors call RFK Jr. 'actively dangerous' to national healthcare

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is a danger to national healthcare and lacks the qualifications to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, more than 17,000 doctors said in a letter to U.S. senators.

by: MSN

DeSantis appointee to university board says women should become mothers, not pursue higher ed

For years, political scientist Scott Yenor has advocated for overhauling colleges and universities, which he has argued undermine traditional American families by encouraging women to pursue careers and put off childbirth.

by: MSN

Donald Trump and Barack Obama speak at Jimmy Carter's state funeral

Donald Trump and Barack Obama could be spotted speaking at Jimmy Carter's state funeral on Jan. 9, 2025. Heat pumps are kind of amazing. So why are we not all using them? Turns out it's a bit complicated.

by: MSN

Obama Exposes His Own Campaign Rhetoric as a 'Scam' in Warm Interaction with Trump

Former President Barack Obama revealed Thursday that all the hot campaign rhetoric he directed at Republican Donald Trump last fall regarding him being a supposed would-be dictator, an admirer of Hitler,

by: MSN

Trump And His Allies Follow Well Worn Playbook To Gloat Over Devastating LA Wildfires

As a series of devastating wildfires ravages parts of Southern California, Donald Trump and his allies have seized on the

by: MSN

Deseret News archives: Construction of massive Aswan High Dam began in 1960

A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On Dec. 9, 1960, construction of the Aswan High Dam began in Egypt. It would be the first time flooding on the Nile would be controlled.

by: MSN

'Senator for all': Fetterman set to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago

Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. John Fetterman said he will meet with President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th and upcoming president prepares for his inauguration.

by: MSN

Tom Homan denies ICE will 'raid' job sites of illegal immigrants in DC on first days

by: MSN

Predatory behaviour in Parliament 'dangerous as Savile having keys to Broadmoor'

Jo White called for disclosure and barring service (DBS) checks before members of the Commons and Lords take their seats.

by: MSN

Jimmy Carter's funeral brings together 5 current and former US presidents to honor one of their own

As they filed into the front pews at Washington National Cathedral, wearing dark suits and mostly solemn faces, five current and former presidents came together for Jimmy Carter's funeral. For a service that stretched more than an hour,

by: MSN

Breaking Down the Controversy Over LA Mayor Karen Bass and the Wildfires

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism for being out of the country when the devastating wildfires began to ravage the city.

by: MSN

U.S. steel, plastics among items Canada may target with retaliatory tariffs

Canada is looking to target American steel, ceramics and plastics with retaliatory tariffs in response to an escalating trade dispute with the incoming Trump administration.

by: MSN

Reasons behind two controversial Johnson peerages revealed after 18-month battle

Reasons behind two controversial Johnson peerages revealed after 18-month battle - Baroness Owen of Alderley Edge and Lord Kempsell were appointed to the House of Lords in Boris Johnson's resignation honours list.

by: MSN

Handshakes, chit chats and steely looks: All the awkward interactions between presidents at Jimmy Carter's funeral

All the awkward interactions between presidents at Jimmy Carter's funeral - Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, not known for being best buddies, engaged in some friendly chit-chat and shared a

by: MSN

Trump Bullies The Judiciary To See If It Has Any Spine

I suspect many of you are a little dazed and confused by the flurry of court filings in the waning days of the Trump transition. There's a lot to track, and the stakes might be a little unclear to you.

by: MSN

'Actively dangerous': 15,000 doctors sign letter begging Senate to reject RFK Jr for health secretary

Actively dangerous': 15,000 doctors sign letter begging Senate to reject RFK Jr for health secretary - Kennedy, among other controversies, has spread misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine

by: MSN

Harris unsure if 'acorn scheme' will be agreed

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

by: MSN

Smiles, handshakes and stone-faced stares: How presidents and rivals interacted at Jimmy Carter's funeral

All five of America's living presidents attended Jimmy Carter's funeral today - and the seating plan forced numerous rivals to sit close together at the front of the cathedral.

by: MSN

Key Senate Democrats come out in favor of "Laken Riley" bill that could enable mass deportations

The Laken Riley Act would require the federal detention deport undocumented immigrants accused of nonviolent crimes

by: MSN

Walz endorses Minnesota Democratic chair as next DNC leader

Former vice-presidential hopeful and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) is backing Ken Martin, the Democratic state party chair in Minnesota, in his bid to take the helm of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

by: MSN

Seton Hall president urged to resign after report he knew of sex abuse claims

Rep. Mikie Sherrill called POLITICO's reporting 'deeply disturbing' — and state lawmakers planned to discuss taking action.

by: MSN

All 5 living presidents attend Jimmy Carter's funeral

All five living U.S. presidents are attending Jimmy Carter's funeral at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, a rare occurrence that marks the first time the leaders have gathered publicly since 2018.

by: MSN

Donald Trump and Barack Obama share laugh as presidents unite for Jimmy Carter's funeral

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)

by: MSN

What do we know about latest Gaza talks?

Mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States have launched a new push to end the Gaza war and secure the release of dozens of hostages held in the Palestinian territory. - In early January, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli negotiators would continue working to secure the release of 95 hostages still held in Gaza.

by: MSN

State and federal leaders show support for SpaceX growth

SpaceX Starbase at Boca Chica has its share of opponents and supporters. A list of elected officials in Austin and Washington, D.C., have shown their support for the continued growth of SpaceX at Boca Chica.

by: MSN

Expect rapid success on the border and energy under Trump, National Review editor-in-chief says

Kudlow' panelists Rich Lowry and Joe Concha react to Democrats' attacking President-elect Donald Trump ahead of his inauguration.

by: MSN

Fani Willis asks Georgia's top court to review decision booting her from Trump case

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis (D) has asked Georgia's top court to review her disqualification from the election subversion case against President-elect Trump and several allies. In a petition filed late Wednesday to the Supreme Court of Georgia,

by: MSN

Former US presidents, President-elect Trump and rival Harris at Jimmy Carter's Washington funeral

A rare reunion of the remaining members of the US presidents club at the funeral for 39th President Jimmy Carter. President-elect Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Kamala Harris don't interact before service starts.

by: MSN

Lebanon's army chief elected president, showing weakened Hezbollah

Lebanon's parliament elected army chief Joseph Aoun head of state on Thursday, filling the vacant presidency with a general who has U.S. support and showing the weakened sway of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its devastating war with Israel.

by: MSN

Fact check: As wildfires rage, Trump lashes out with false claims about FEMA and California water policy

Another natural disaster, another series of false claims from President-elect Donald Trump. For years, Trump has littered his statements on California wildfires and other disasters with inaccurate assertions.

by: MSN

Israelis sceptical about government plan to repopulate abandoned north

Former residents of Israel's abandoned far north are not returning home despite a ceasefire with Hezbollah and government efforts to repopulate the area, with many saying they fear for their safety as the clock winds down on a 60-day ceasefire.

by: MSN

Oversight Dems want Jack Smith's report on Trump's classified documents case

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee sent a letter to the Department of Justice Thursday asking to view special counsel Jack Smith's findings on President-elect Trump's handling of classified documents.

by: MSN

Canada prepares to drop the hammer on Trump's home state amid tariff threats

The Canadian government isn't taking President-elect Donald Trump's tariff threats lying down and is planning to take retaliatory measures that will hit his home state of Florida. CTV News is reporting that the Canadian government is planning a series of retaliatory tariffs that would hit American-made orange juice,

by: MSN

Who's at Jimmy Carter's funeral? A guide to the notable guests.

Amid a snowy week and the start of a new Congress, Washington's elite are gathering to honor a man the city never fully embraced: former president Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29 at 100 years old. On Tuesday,

by: MSN

Trump and Obama share a laugh at Carter funeral

Former President Jimmy Carter's funeral has brought together all five living presidents and placed longtime political foes Barack Obama and Donald Trump directly next to each other. Setting the scene: Cameras captured Obama and Trump chatting pleasantly and sharing a laugh,

by: MSN

Elon Musk 'investigating how to get Keir Starmer ditched as PM'

The Tesla boss has spent the first days of the new year attacking Sir Keir over his handling of grooming gangs.

by: MSN

California is burning. Trump's response was wildly inaccurate and unhelpful.

Donald Trump responded on Truth Social to the Los Angeles wildfires in Eaton and Pacific Palisade by blaming Gavin Newsom and an unrelated water deal.

by: MSN

Masterstroke by Modi govt in Afghanistan set to defeat Pakistan, China to get rattled too, here's how

India has so far sent several shipments including 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, 300 tonnes of medicines, 27 tons of earthquake relief to Afghanistan.

by: MSN

UK freezes assets of extreme-right group Blood and Honour for alleged terrorism

The British authorities' designation makes it illegal for anyone in the UK to offer funding to Blood and Honour, which takes its name from a Nazi slogan. View on euronews

by: MSN

Explainer-Why does Trump want Greenland and could he get it?

Pedersen, Louise Rasmussen and Stine Jacobsen COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -U.S. President-elect Donald Trump says he wants to make Greenland a part of the United States and does not rule out using military or economic power to get Denmark to hand it over.

by: MSN

One month since Assad's fall: Hope and uncertainty as Syrians look to future

After Islamist-led rebels ousted former president Bashar al-Assad in early December, thousands of soldiers, policemen and other security officials deserted their posts, leaving the door open to petty theft,

by: MSN

Union ministers meet over Karnataka's mining tax and its economic repercussions

Union Steel Minister Kumaraswamy and Law Minister Meghwal discuss Karnataka's mining tax, its strain on the sector, and the need for alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's economic vision for 2047.

by: MSN

Passaic OKs law to limit rent increases. Here's what it means for tenants and owners

The city of Passaic has adopted a rent stabilization ordinance that will limit rent increases to 8% per year, with some exceptions.

The madman theory of Trump and tariffs

Trump may well be applying the madman theory to trade negotiations as well, with his mega-tariffs serving as his nuclear threat. If so, he'd see his reputation for belligerent unpredictability as an asset — which explains why he'd hotly push back on any reports that he's actually backing down.

The article from Vox discusses how President Trump's use of tariffs, particularly against China, aligns with what's known as the "madman theory" of foreign policy. This theory, originally associated with President Nixon, involves acting unpredictably to make adversaries think you might be irrational or willing to take extreme actions, thereby gaining leverage in negotiations. Trump's tariff strategy has introduced significant uncertainty into global markets, causing fluctuations in stock prices and economic forecasts. Critics argue that this approach risks economic stability for political gain, potentially leading to a trade war with severe economic repercussions. However, supporters believe it might force better trade deals from countries like China. The article explores how this tactic, while risky, could be part of a broader strategy to renegotiate trade terms in America's favor, though it also highlights the potential for unintended economic consequences.

Read the Full Vox Article at:
https://www.vox.com/politics/394107/trump-tariffs-madman-theory-economy-markets